Regional Foundation Awards $450K To Area Nonprofits Amid Rising Demand

SOUTHINGTON/BERLIN, CT — The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain approved more than $450,000 in grants at its first board meeting of 2026.

It directed funding to programs serving residents in Southington, Berlin, Plainville, and New Britain as local nonprofits report rising demand and operational strain.

The funding includes over $326,000 through the foundation’s Community Response Grants, supporting organizations focused on education, economic opportunity, arts and culture, and health and well-being in those towns.

Foundation leaders said the awards follow a March 13 convening of nearly 50 nonprofit representatives, where participants described mounting challenges, including increased need for services, workforce shortages, funding uncertainty, and growing operational pressures.

“These grants reflect both the extraordinary work of our nonprofit partners and the realities they are navigating right now,” said Kaylah Milligan, the foundation's president and chief executive officer.

“At a recent listening session with nonprofit leaders, we heard clearly about the increasing demand for services, workforce challenges, and funding uncertainty many organizations are facing. Despite these pressures, nonprofits continue to show remarkable resilience and commitment to the communities they serve. We are proud to support their work and to stand alongside them as partners.”

In addition to the Community Response Grants, the foundation distributed just over $40,000 from designated and donor-advised funds, as well as scholarships and sponsorships supporting initiatives related to children and families, arts and culture, education, and civic engagement.

The foundation plans a second round of Community Response Grants in the fall. Letters of Intent are due July 1, with full applications required by Aug. 1 for invited organizations.

Organizations benefiting from foundation funds are:

Arts and Culture
• $5,000 – Connecticut Choral Artists (CONCORA) to upgrade its website to strengthen marketing, audience engagement, and fundraising.
• $10,000 – Queen Ann Nzinga Center to continue building internal capacity and improve operational efficiency.

Community and Economic Development

• $5,000 – Junior Achievement of Southwest New England to support career exploration and preparation programming for high school students in New Britain and Berlin.
• $10,000 – Neighborhood Housing Services of New Britain for Gallery66, a creative community development initiative.
• $25,000 – Plainville Community Schools to support the creation of the Plainville High School Trade Academy.
• $7,500 – The Southington Outsider to develop a centralized community events calendar and strengthen local reporting.
• $3,500 – Sustainable CT to support the 2026 Summer Fellowship Program working with local municipalities.
• $20,000 – Trust for Public Land to help protect the Nelson Augustus Moore Homestead in Berlin.

Education

• $13,500 – Connecticut Science Center for STEM programming serving New Britain students in schools and community organizations.
• $5,000 – Connecticut Storytelling Center for the “Start With Stories” literacy residency at 10 New Britain elementary schools.
• $4,200 – New Britain Police Athletic League (PAL) to upgrade commercial kitchen equipment serving over 600 youth.
• $2,500 – New Britain Youth Museum to support a new youth fishing education program.

Health and Human Services

• $20,000 – Best Buddies Connecticut to expand the Friendship and Transitions Program and establish a chapter at Berlin High School.
• $15,000 – BLFC Academy to support youth soccer programming through the “World Cup Legacy” initiative.
• $15,000 – CCARC to advance a digital process and transformation project improving operational efficiency.
• $30,000 – CT LEAD to strengthen comprehensive community programming at its New Britain Center.
• $12,000 – Klingberg Family Centers to support behavioral health screenings and referrals for youth.
• $10,000 – Lavender Policy Center to install a pharmaceutical vending machine at the New Britain Public Library.
• $18,000 – New Britain ROOTS to expand food access through the ROOTS Market Express program.
• $12,500 – New Life II to support the New Britain Re-Entry Welcome Center and recovery housing.
• $20,000 – Pathways/Senderos Center to support family engagement and transportation assistance for local families.
• $5,000 – Rain Collective to provide programming addressing human trafficking in Central Connecticut.

• $15,000 – Roca, Inc. to expand the Young Mothers Program serving New Britain residents.
• $5,000 – Traveling Toys to establish toy lending libraries in Berlin, Plainville, and Southington.
• $15,000 – Vale Co-Op to support the Beyond the Bell afterschool program for youth in New Britain and Berlin.

The foundation also approved $130,000 in grants through its First Years First Early Childhood Initiative.

These grants support organizations working to ensure that young children and families have the resources they need to succeed.

Grants include:
• $40,000 – Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington to serve as the coordinating hub for early childhood health, education, and family support in Southington.
• $40,000 – Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut to support programming for parents and young children at the Central Connecticut Family Literacy Center.
• $10,000 – Lumibility for Kidsteps Early Intervention Services serving Greater New Britain families.
• $20,000 – Plainville Early Learning Center to help stabilize and sustain this high- quality early childhood program during a financial transition.
• $20,000 – Read to Grow to expand early literacy programs, including Books for Kids, Books for Babies follow-up, and NICU initiatives.

Founded in 1941, CFGNB serves Berlin, New Britain, Plainville, and Southington, focusing on philanthropy, stewardship of charitable assets, and partnerships addressing regional needs.