The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving awarded nearly $340,000 in emergency assistance grants to 34 nonprofit organizations in its latest round of funding aimed at addressing food insecurity and basic needs across Greater Hartford.
The grants, approved in October, are part of the foundation’s nearly $8 million investment in basic needs programming this year, as the federal shutdown compounds financial burdens for residents struggling to afford necessities.
“Our investments support the entire food security ecosystem – from organizations that tackle systemic issues, distribute and coordinate food across our region, and mobilize community partners and volunteers to work on long-term solutions to food insecurity to the hundreds of hyper-local food pantries that directly provide food to residents,” said Elysa Gordon, vice president of community impact at the foundation.
The foundation has awarded $2.5 million this year specifically to address hunger, with $755,000 distributed to 70 nonprofits through two rounds of grants. More than 60% of those funds support food assistance programs.
Grant recipients in the October round include organizations addressing diverse needs. The Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants received the maximum $20,000 award to provide emergency case management and legal services for foreign-born survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence.
African Caribbean American Parents of Children with Disabilities received $10,000 to purchase food assistance gift cards for families with children with disabilities.
“AFCAMP is grateful to the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for this $10,000 grant that will allow us to provide basic needs food assistance during yet another period of challenges and uncertainty,” said Ann Smith, AFCAMP executive director.
Other recipients include Enfield Food Shelf ($18,000), Enfield Loaves and Fishes ($15,000) and the Connecticut Democracy Center ($15,000 to double SNAP benefits at the Old State House farmers market).
The foundation also announced $600,000 in core support for Hands On Hartford, which operates MANNA Community Pantry and other food security programs. Hands On Hartford received nearly $660,000 total in foundation grants in 2025.
Major food security partners receiving foundation support include Connecticut Foodshare, which received more than $210,000 this year, and Chrysalis Center, which has received nearly $500,000 over several years including $300,000 in core support.
Foundation-directed grants are supplemented by $3 million deployed earlier this year to 29 Greater Together Community Funds, where resident volunteers direct funding to organizations supporting immediate basic needs.
