For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Theresa Sullivan Barger, Canton Greater Together Community Fund, tsullivanbarger@gmail.com                                                       
Chris Senecal, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, csenecal@hfpg.org 

Canton Greater Together Community Fund Seeks Proposals for Projects Addressing Essential Needs

The Canton Greater Together Community Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is seeking funding proposals from organizations working to serve Canton residents’ basic human and essential needs. Applications will be accepted starting Aug. 15. The application deadline is Oct. 15.

This is a one-time grant opportunity to provide rapid funding to nonprofit organizations addressing  essential needs in our community, including shelter, food and fuel, and energy assistance. For the complete Request for Proposals, a list of all questions and required documents and frequently asked questions, please visit this link.

In 2019, the Hartford Foundation established the Greater Together Community Funds in each of the 29 towns it serves, including the Canton, with an initial investment of $100,000. In 2021, the Foundation awarded an additional $50,000 to each of the community funds. In January, as part of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s Centennial year in 2025 and the Fifth anniversary of the Greater Together Community Fund program, the Foundation has recently unveiled a new $100,000 investment in each of its 29 town-specific Community Funds. This includes $50,000 immediately available for grantmaking and $50,000 allocated to the endowment. 
The Canton Community Fund is directed by a committee that consists of residents from various backgrounds and neighborhoods. The Foundation encourages volunteers to lead its 29 GTCF committees as an initiative for residents to take ownership over the needs of their towns through grantmaking.
The Canton Greater Together Community Fund aims to support local nonprofits that are serving Canton residents to address critical needs and enrich residents’ lives and the community. 
In the past four years, the Canton Community Fund has awarded 34 grants totaling $120,396 to address a wide range of community needs.

This fall, the committee will award grants of $500 to $10,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations for projects or operational support addressing essential needs. Projects must primarily serve Canton residents.

Applications will be available for review on Friday, Aug. 15 at https://www.hfpg.org/donors/ways-to-give/community-funds/canton. 
Applicants may apply online or email a PDF application form to canton@hfpgcommunityfunds.org. The deadline for applying is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15. 
“In light of rising critical needs for food, shelter and energy, the Canton GTCF committee decided to offer this emergency grant funding to serve Canton residents’ urgent needs,” said Mark Pickett, co-chair of the Canton GTCF committee. 

For questions about the fund or application process, please email canton@hfpgcommunityfunds.org.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding communities. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $1 billion since its founding in 1925. For more information about the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, visit https://www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.