Hartford Foundation Awarded $150,000 to Farmington Agencies

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving – the community foundation for Farmington and 28 other Greater Hartford cities and towns – awarded more than $28 million in grants during 2011 in support of nonprofit agencies and educational institutions.

“As Connecticut worked to rebuild its economy, the Hartford Foundation continued our decades-long support of Greater Hartford agencies as they carried on the vital work that sustains and enriches our community,” said Linda J. Kelly, president. “We can only do our work because of the foresight and generosity of our many donors, who have continued to give even in these difficult economic times.”

Farmington organizations received grants totaling more than $150,000 in 2011, including:

·       The Farmington Community Chest, $50,000 for programs.

·       Winding Trails, Inc., $50,000 for technology needs.

·       Hill-Stead Museum, $33,524 for programs.

·       Town of Farmington, $11,472 for education equipment and programs.

·       Tunxis Community College Foundation, $10,750 for scholarships.

The Hartford Foundation receives gifts from thousands of individuals, families and organizations and awards grants to a broad range of area nonprofit organizations, many of which continue to juggle an increased demand for services with reduced private and public funding. More than 1,600 grants were awarded in 2011.

More than one-third of the grants – approximately $10 million – went to programs supporting education and economic development, which are the focus of the Hartford Foundation’s new strategic plan, Accelerate Success.

Nonprofit agencies providing family and social services received the largest amount of grant dollars, about 24 percent, or approximately $6.8 million. This reflects Census Bureau data that more than 9 percent of Connecticut’s population has incomes below the federal poverty level – $21,756 for a family of two adults and two children.

Other major areas for funding were arts and culture, $4.8 million or 17 percent, and health, at 14 percent, or $4 million. Grants to support summer programs totaled more than $1 million, as did grants for college scholarships.

Since its founding in 1925, individuals, families and organizations have created more than 1,000 funds at the Hartford Foundation, resulting in more than $532 million in grants for programs and services. Twenty-four endowed funds were established at the Foundation in 2011. For more information about the Hartford Foundation, and Accelerate Success, its strategic plan to improve education and workforce development, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.

Submitted by the Hartford Foundation.