Community Foundation for Greater New Haven

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OVERVIEW: This well-established community funder supports 20 towns in Central Connecticut in arts and culture, basic needs, civic vitality, economic success, education, environment, health and wellness, and children and youth.

FUNDING AREAS: Arts and culture, basic needs, civic vitality, economic success, education, environment, health and wellness, children and youth

IP TAKE:  If you’re looking for a model community foundation to follow, this is the one. It has one of the broadest reaches you’ll find in the community funding space in terms of issue areas and number of towns supported.

PROFILE: The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (CFGNH) is based in New Haven, Connecticut, and is one of the prominent community funders in the Tri-State Area.  The foundation was established in 1928 as a permanent endowment in the community, making it one of the oldest and largest community funders in the U.S. Grants go to a 20-town region in Central Connecticut. CFGNH manages over $350 million in charitable assets through approximately 900 charitable funds.  

Funding interests are arts and culture, basic needs, civic vitality, economic success, education, environment, health and wellness, and children and youth. Local Connecticut communities supported include Ansonia, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, Derby, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, Wallingford, West Haven, and Woodbridge.

The foundation has a competitive grantmaking program that distributes flexible and unrestricted funding to respond to community needs. There are several competitive grant opportunities throughout the year for small grants, large multiyear commitments, and sponsorships. Some funds for capital projects, such as building construction and equipment needs, are available but limited. Other CFGNH grants go out through a noncompetitive grantmaking process by way of donor-advised, designated, and organization funds.

In a recent year, CFGNH awarded over $30 million in grants and distributions. In a recent grant cycle of 46 awards, the distribution of grants broke down this way: arts and culture ($123,000), basic needs ($286,000), civic vitality ($308,853), economic success ($20,000), education ($485,000), the environment ($240,000), health & wellness ($1,202,700), and children and youth ($341,803). Grantees include Bridges Healthcare, Columbus House, Community Soup Kitchen, All Our Kin, and the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center. Current financial data can be viewed here.

The foundation often hosts informational webinars before upcoming application deadlines. It offers workshops and training forums for groups that serve Greater New Haven and the Valley. Visit the Grant Programs page to learn about new opportunities offered through the Community Fund for Women and Girls, the Neighborhood Leadership Program, the Quinnipiac River Fund, and other foundation programs.

General questions can be directed to foundation staff at (203) 777-2386 or ContactUs@cfgnh.org. William W. Ginsberg is foundation’s president and CEO, a position he has held since 2000. The address is 70 Audubon Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510. Keep up with recent foundation news and events here.

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