The Northwest Community Bank Foundation was funded and organized on January 1, 2022 by Northwest Community Bank and its Divisions, Collinsville Bank and Litchfield Bancorp, as a separate non-profit entity. The Foundation extends the Bank’s contributions to non-profit agencies and organizations working to address the needs of the communities the bank serves.
Working to address the needs of the communities we serve
Our Mission
The Northwest Community Bank Foundation’s mission is to support non-profit organizations that strengthen and enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve.
Applications Now Available
| Applications Due: | October 1, 2023 |
| Notification: | November 15, 2023 |
Questions: Please contact Lisa Partrick, Community Relations Officer, at Foundation@nwcommunitybank.com or (860) 393-9172.
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Our Recipients: Providing opportunities to those who impact our community
In our Spring 2023 Grant Cycle, we’re proud to announce our Foundation’s support for 43 incredible non-profit organizations. Our collective contributions total $202,100, and that’s in addition to our corporate giving! A heartfelt thank-you goes out to all the non-profit organizations and the selfless volunteers. Your tireless service to our community does not go unnoticed.
Northwest Community Bank Foundation’s “Gratitude Gala” was held in January 2023
The non-profit organizations that received grants in 2022 were invited to a special event – A Gratitude Gala – hosted by the Foundation on January 10, 2023 at the American Mural Project in Winsted. Approximately 100 people, including representatives from various agencies, bank employees and bank board members attended the event in appreciation of the roles each plays in building up our local communities.
Northwest Community Bank Foundation Grants Awarded in Spring 2023
| Non-Profit Organization | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| American Mural Project | $3,000.00 | AMP Education Programs |
| American Museum of Tort Law | $2,500.00 | Audio Narration for the Museum Exhibits |
| Brooker Memorial | $3,000.00 | Building Equity Through Interpretation |
| Burlington Volunteer Fire Department | $2,500.00 | Upgrades needed for CPR Program with latest Standards for American Heart Association |
| Canaan Child Care Center | $2,500.00 | Family Scholarship Funds/Healthy Snacks for Kids |
| Canton Main Street, Inc. | $2,500.00 | High St. Junction (Train Station) Rehabilitation Project |
| Civic Family Services aka The Clothes Tree | $3,000.00 | Consignment Software |
| Connecticut News Consortium | $2,500.00 | The Winsted Citizen |
| Covenant to Care for Children, Inc. | $3,000.00 | Basic essential goods for children |
| CREATE Independence | $5,000.00 | Summer Life Skills program to develop & improve daily independence & community participation. |
| EdAdvance | $1,000.00 | Business Education Series for Local Childcare Providers |
| Explorations, Inc. | $5,200.00 | Board Development for Capacity Building. Increase unique learning opportunities for students. |
| Farmington Land Trust Inc. | $2,500.00 | Renovation of the Post & Beam Barn and Workroom at the Wilcox-Bushley Homestead |
| FOCUS Center for Autism, Inc. | $7,500.00 | FOCUS Autism Spectrum Unplugged Panel |
| Friend to Friend, Inc. | $7,000.00 | Friend To Friend Food Pantry support |
| Friendly Hands Food Bank, Inc. | $7,000.00 | Replenishing the Shelves for the Hungry |
| Girls on the Run Greater Hartford | $5,000.00 | After-school Girls on the Run Program for girls in 3rd-8th grade |
| Goshen Fire Company Inc | $3,400.00 | Acquisition of two electronic life signs (vitals) monitors. |
| Greenwoods Counseling Referrals Inc. | $5,000.00 | EMDR & Trauma-Informed Therapies Training for Greenwoods Network Providers |
| Healing Meals Community Project | $10,000.00 | Healthy Meals and Wellness for Low-Income Neighbors |
| Hill-Stead Museum | $3,000.00 | Visual and Performing Arts Summer STEAM Academy |
| KidsPlay Children's Museum, Inc. | $25,000.00 | Finishing Funds for KidsPlay’s 57 Main Street Expansion |
| McCall Behavioral Health Network | $4,000.00 | Internal Family Systems Therapy Training |
| McLean | $2,500.00 | Kitchen fixture replacements |
| Morris Fire Company | $1,000.00 | Morris Fire Company hose replacement project |
| Prime Time House | $7,500.00 | Next Steps to Independence |
| Salisbury Housing Committee Inc | $5,000.00 | Anne Kremer Capital Campaign |
| Simsbury Historical Society | $1,000.00 | Project Name: Repairing The Meeting House |
| Simsbury Main Street Partnership Inc. | $2,500.00 | Program Grant for SMSP |
| SpiritHorse Therapeutic Riding Center of Canton, Inc. | $2,500.00 | Therapeutic Summer Riding Program |
| Stanley-Whitman House | $2,500.00 | FREE ADMISSIONS |
| Summit Adaptive Sports Inc. | $2,500.00 | Summit Adaptive Sports Summer Programming |
| Talcott Mountain Science Center for Student Involvement, Inc. | $10,000.00 | Capacity Building: Strategic Planning |
| The Community Kitchen of Torrington Inc | $5,000.00 | Freezer and Pantry Spring Restocking |
| The Kids of Summer Foundation | $1,000.00 | Immersive Fishing Experience |
| The Robert C. Geer Memorial Hospital, Incorporated | $5,000.00 | Go Geer program |
| Town of Morris | $2,000.00 | Boat launch Handicap Access |
| VNA Valley Care, Inc. | $20,000.00 | Technology Grant |
| Watertown History Museum | $1,000.00 | Illuminating Our Past |
| Westley’s Wish K9 Rescue | $2,500.00 | Ongoing Vet bills |
| Winchester Land Trust | $5,000.00 | Cannavo Spring Watershed Protection Initiative |
| Winchester Youth Service Bureau branch of the Northwest CT YMCA | $3,500.00 | Rising Star Camp Scholarships |
| Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center | $5,000.00 | Sunporch Revitalization Project |
Investment Focus Areas will include, but will not be limited to the following:
Education That Fuels
Future Economic Success
Our education grants help empower people to build personal assets and skills to take charge of their futures.
- Youth development including early childhood education
- Financial education
- Employment skills/workforce development
- Women’s empowerment
Safe and Affordable Housing
Our affordable housing grants support access to safe, clean and affordable places to live.
- Community development projects
- Maintenance and renovation projects
- Homebuyer programs
- Foreclosure and eviction prevention programs
Basic Human Services
Our basic human services grants support organizations that meet the immediate needs of individuals and families while also supporting prevention and long-term solutions for people living in difficult economic circumstances. (Food Pantries are encouraged to request support through Northwest Community Bank’s Corporate Giving programs.)
- Food and nutrition programs
- Fuel assistance
- Domestic violence programs
- Temporary housing, shelter
- Basic necessity assistance e.g., clothing
- Health Services
Community Impact
Our community impact grants support the overall well-being of individuals within the community
- Disaster relief
- Environmental
- The Arts
- Animal Welfare
Guidelines and Eligibility:
Eligibility for Grants:
To apply for a grant from the Northwest Community Bank Foundation applicants must be:
- A registered 501(c) 3 organization that demonstrates significant local Municipalities will be considered.
- An organization whose mission or services align with Northwest Community Bank’s investment focus
- An organization within Northwest Community Bank Communities*
*While preference is given to organizations primarily serving the aforementioned cities and towns, the Foundation Board will also consider funding for programs which reach a broader, more regional area, as long as that area incorporates services provided to Northwest Community Bank Communities.
The Foundation does not provide financial support to political organizations or candidates, activities for religious purposes, individual endeavors or organizations which are discriminatory in their practices. Additionally, it will not fund organizations which utilize a fiscal agent.
Geographic Preference:
Avon, Barkhamsted, Berlin, Bethlehem, Bristol, Burlington, Canaan, Canton, Colebrook, Collinsville, Cornwall, East Granby, Falls Village, Farmington, Goshen, Granby, Hartland, Harwinton, Kent, Lakeville, Litchfield, Morris, New Britain, New Hartford, Newington, Norfolk, Plainville, Roxbury, Salisbury, Sharon, Simsbury, Southington, Terryville, Thomaston, Torrington, Warren, Washington, Watertown, West Hartford, Winsted and Woodbury.
Grant Programs:
The Foundation will consider the following types of funding requests from organizations that fit our investment focus areas.
- Program Grants to support the delivery and/or expansion of the direct services core to the mission of local organizations.
- Capacity Building Grants aimed at strengthening an agency’s ability to make a greater impact, improve effectiveness and efficiency or adapt to address changing community needs. e.g., strategic planning, staff and board development, technology upgrades, and marketing.
- Capital Grants and Campaigns will be considered by the Foundation but may also be selectively considered by Northwest Community Bank’s Corporate Giving programs.
*Capital projects are typically defined as major building purchases, new construction, expansion, renovation, and/or land acquisition.
Frequency:
Organizations may apply and receive from multiple grant cycles but total annual grants awarded will not exceed $25,000. Extenuating circumstances may be considered.
Deadlines and Review Process:
Grants will be reviewed on a bi-annual basis by the Foundation’s Board of Directors in an impartial manner based upon an evaluation of each grant request. Some key elements examined in our grant evaluation process include an organizations’ financial sustainability, leadership, impact and collaboration with in the community.
| 2023 Phase I: Application Available February 15th | Due April 1st | Notification May 15th |
| 2023 Phase II: Application Available August 15th | Due October 1st | Notification November 15th |
Average Grant Request:
The average grant amount distributed in 2022 was $6,500.
Additional Eligibility Guidelines:
Although there are many worthy endeavors, the Foundation generally does not invest in the causes listed below. If you fall into one of these categories, we suggest you review Northwest Community Bank Corporate Giving programs to possibly submit your request.
- Individuals including those seeking scholarships, fellowships, or sponsors for a particular cause
- Alumni organizations
- Endowment campaigns
- Fundraising dinners or events and tickets to fundraising events
- Individual sports teams including youth sports teams and leagues
- Advertising and promotional items or merchandise
- Organizations designed primarily for lobbying, Political Action Committees, candidates, and lobbying
- Travel, including conferences, seminars, tours and student trips
- The Foundation does not make grants to organizations for which program services are contingent on participation in religious services or events or adherence to religious doctrine.
- Other Foundations