Responsive Program Support Grants

The Valley Community Foundation (VCF) offers Responsive Program Support Grants to support multi-regional and statewide organizations that provide programming within the Greater New Haven area. VCF, alongside The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, aims to enhance the quality of life in the region by investing in nonprofit organizations that demonstrate strong programs and outcomes. The Foundation focuses on supporting nonprofits that do not primarily serve the 20-town region, ensuring this grant funding supports broader organizations whose work benefits the local communities within Greater New Haven.

The Responsive Program Support Grant is designed to fund new or existing programming that serves one or more of the towns within the Foundations’ 20-town service area. This grant is exclusively available to multi-regional or statewide nonprofits, provided that less than 75% of the population served by the organization resides in the Community Foundations’ service area. This ensures that the grant supports organizations with a broader geographic reach, while still benefiting the Greater New Haven area.

The grant offers funding for programming support, which is defined as grants that fund specific segments of an organization’s work. These can be either new initiatives or the continuation of existing programs that address community needs in the region. Grants are available for terms of one, two, or three years, allowing for flexibility based on the nature and scope of the proposed work.

To be eligible, applicants must meet several criteria. They must actively serve people within the Community Foundation’s 20-town region, have operated programming for at least three years, and maintain an active giveGreater.org profile. The organization must have an operating budget of at least $100,000. If an organization applies through a fiscal sponsor, it must also have an independent, local advisory board or board of directors. Organizations with an active Responsive Grant that extends beyond December 31, 2025, are not eligible to apply. Additionally, organizations that received prior funding from the Community Foundation or Valley Community Foundation must be fully up-to-date on all grant reporting.

Applications must include a completed giveGreater.org Profile Checklist. The giveGreater profile must be submitted by March 19, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Applicants are encouraged to review the Foundation’s Guiding Principles for Nonprofits and guidance on developing measurable outcomes to strengthen their proposals.

The Valley Community Foundation provides direct contact information for questions and support. Interested applicants may contact the Foundation by phone at 203-751-9162 or by visiting the office at 253-A Elizabeth Street, Derby, Connecticut 06418. The application process, eligibility guidelines, and supporting materials can all be accessed through the Valley Community Foundation website.