Community Grants

The East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts (CCFA) is proud to announce the launch of a new competitive community grants program for the upcoming fiscal year (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025).

The program has two components: program/project grants, and grants for operating support. First round applications will be due on June 15, 2024 and will be considered at the CCFA’s July meeting. Applications may be considered on a rolling basis during the year depending on the availability of funds.

Optional information sessions will be held in person at the Raymond Library on Sunday, May 5 at 1:30 PM and Friday, May 10 at 1:00 PM. A virtual option will be offered on Thursday, May 16 at 6:30 PM. Register on the library's online calendar of events. 

Operating Grants
East Hartford-based 501(c)3 arts nonprofits are eligible to apply for funds to support their operating budgets. Applicants must have a minimum of two years of consistent engagement in arts and/or cultural programming and/or services.
 
Eligibility
Grants may be used for the following: 
1. Staff salaries
2. Payments to contracted artistic, technical, or administrative professionals
3. Telephone, shipping, and postage costs
4. Space rental; occupancy costs (maintenance, security, insurance, utilities, etc.)
5. Printing, advertising, and marketing costs
6. Evaluation services and documentation (photo, video, audio, collection of statistical information, etc.)
7. Travel and conference registration expenses for staff and/or volunteers to attend local, regional, or national relevant industry conferences, workshops, retreats, clinics, etc.
8. Production costs
9. Materials and supplies

Grant funds may not be used for the following: 
1. Expenses incurred outside the funding period
2. Brick and mortar or capital improvements/construction
3. Elimination or reduction of existing debt
4. Benefits, fund-raisers, and personal social events/parties
5. Scholarship awards 
6. Political contributions
7. Lobbying activities
8. Legal fees
9. Religious programming, activities or paraphrenalia
10. Food and beverages for meetings, programs, and events
 
Guidelines:
*Grants will typically range from $250 - $1000 
*Final reports, both narrative and financial, will be required upon completion of the grant
*Grant funds must be spent by September 1, 2025
 
Be prepared to answer the following questions on the application for operating grants, in addition to contact information: 
  • Legal name of your organization
  • EIN
  • Website/social media links
  • Organization's Annual Budget
  • Geographic area served (for example: an organization may be based in East Hartford but also serve surrounding towns)
  • Dollar amount requested
  • Population served (for example: age, gender, ethnicity, number of participants)
  • Provide a description of your organization's activities.
  • Provide a brief biography for each key individual (artistic, technical, or administrative) involved in your organization. Include name, title, relevant experience, and role. 
  • Description of need: why is this funding necessary? 
  • Please provide a brief budget narrative. What will you spend the funds on?
  • Provide at least one (1) but no more than three (3) work samples that best portray your organization and its work. These may include artistic work, press materials, flyers, brochures, programs, newsletters, audio, video, and other marketing pieces. Samples should have been created within the past three years and be relevant to this grant opportunity. E-mail files to Sarah Morgan, library director: smorgan@easthartfordct.gov
Click here for the Operating Grants application.
 
Program Grants

For the program/project grants, the proposed activity must be fully planned and directly relate to fine arts and/or culture. Eligible creative endeavors include, but are not limited to, concerts, performances, program series, festivals, workshops, exhibits, readings, after-school programs, and public art.

Eligibility
Grants may be used for the following: 
1. Wages (directly related to the event, project, or program)
2. Payments to contracted artistic, technical, or administrative professionals
3. Space rental; occupancy costs (maintenance, security, insurance, utilities, etc.)
4. Printing, advertising, and marketing costs
5. Evaluation services and documentation (photo, video, audio, collection of statistical information, etc.)
6. Production costs
7. Materials and supplies

Grant funds may not be used for the following: 
1. Expenses incurred outside the funding period
2. Brick and mortar or capital improvements/construction
3. Elimination or reduction of existing debt
4. Benefits, fund-raisers, and personal social events/parties
5. Scholarship awards
6. Political contributions
7. Lobbying activities
8. Legal fees
9. Religious programming, activities or paraphrenalia
10. Food and beverages for meetings, programs, and events
 
Guidelines: 
*Grants typically range from $50 - $1500
*Programs/projects must be fully planned and directly relate to fine arts and/or culture. Eligible creative endeavors include, but are not limited to, concerts, performances, program series, festivals, workshops, exhibits, readings, after-school programs, and public art. Research projects are ineligible.
*Any co-sponsorship with Town departments or use of Town facilities must be approved prior to application by the relevant department (e.g. Library or Parks & Recreation)
*Final reports, both narrative and financial, will be required upon completion of the grant
*Proposed programs/events must take place on or before June 30, 2025
*Project funds must be expended by September 1, 2025
 
Be prepared to answer the following questions on the application for program/project grants, in addition to contact information: 
  • Please describe your program, event, or project. For programs and events, please provide proposed location, dates, contracted performers/presenters, community partners, and any other details that will help the Commission to understand the plan.
  • Have you produced a similar program, event, or project in the past?
  • Please describe your past experience with a similar program, project, or event. Include attendance numbers, project outcomes, and other relevant supporting information.
  • Are you applying for funds on behalf of a group or organization?
  • Provide a description of your organization’s activities. Include your organization’s annual budget.
  • Dollar amount requested
  • Geographic area served (for example: an organization may be based in East Hartford but also serve surrounding towns)
  • Population served (for example: age, gender, ethnicity, number of participants)
  • Please provide a brief budget narrative. What will you spend the funds on?
  • Description of need: why is this funding necessary?
  • Provide at least one (1) but no more than three (3) work samples to support your application. These may include artistic work, press materials, flyers, brochures, programs, newsletters, audio, video, and other marketing pieces. 

Click here for the Program/Projects application.

The East Hartford Public Library provides administrative support to the grants program. Have questions about the application process or reports? E-mail Sarah Kline Morgan, library director: smorgan@easthartfordct.gov 

Funding decisions are made by the Commission on Culture and Fine Arts at their regularly scheduled public meetings, held the second Thursday of the month in Meeting Room 1 on the lower level of Raymond Library.