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.
How to Apply
| Next Application Dates | |
| Applications Available: | August 15, 2023 |
| Applications Due: | October 1, 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 2022, the new Foundation received 116 grant applications and awarded 66 grants totaling $425,000. The grants were made to support the services our local organizations provide that are critical to the vitality of our towns. Combined with the $300,000 donated through the Bank’s traditional Corporate Giving Program, the Bank contributed $725,000 to non-profit organizations in 2022. It continues the Bank’s long history of community involvement and support.
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 CT YMCA
Awarded $50,000 Grant
In 2022, Northwest Community Bank Foundation awarded a total of $50,000 to Northwest CT YMCA for its sports field in Torrington. From left to right, Foundation Vice President Paul McLaughlin; Northwest Y Chief Executive Officer Greg Brisco; Foundation Chair of the Board Alan Colavecchio; and Foundation President Stephen Reilly.
McCall Center for Behavioral Health
Awarded $15,000 Grant
In 2022, Northwest Community Bank Foundation awarded $15,000 to McCall Center for Behavioral Health for website development. From left to right, Foundation Vice President Paul McLaughlin; McCall Foundation Chief Executive Officer Maria Coutant Skinner; Foundation Chair of the Board Alan Colavecchio; and Foundation President Stephen Reilly.
2022 Northwest Community Bank Foundation Grants Awarded
| Non-Profit Organization | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Avon Land Trust | $5,000 | Support for general programming |
| Bantam Civic | $2,500 | Alain White Field playground restoration |
| Canaan Child Care Center | $5,000 | Support for new playground equipment |
| Catholic Charities | $10,000 | Family violence education program in Torrington |
| ECAD, Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities | $10,000 | General support of ECAD programming |
| Falls Village Community Development Corp | $10,000 | Preserving affordable rental apartment |
| Falls Village Day Care Center | $2,500 | Lighting for Parking Lot |
| Falls Village Housing Trust | $5,000 | Support of new 16-unit affordable housing development |
| Farmington Land Trust | $2,500 | 2023 education program with focus on the environment |
| FISH / NWCT | $10,000 | Resilience and Program support for the Homeless and Food Insecure |
| Focus Center for Autism | $7,500 | Workforce Development to help 15 adults with autism find job/volunteer opportunities |
| Focus on Canton, Inc | $12,000 | General support providing financial assistance to residents of Canton |
| Friend to Friend | $1,500 | School Snack Program for students in need in the East Granby Public Schools |
| Friendly Hands Food Bank, Inc | $6,500 | Purchase van to expand and assist with delivery of those facing food insecurity |
| Friends of the Litchfield Community Greenway | $5,000 | Connecting Towns - Phase 4 design and development |
| Girls on the Run Greater Hartford | $1,000 | Support for its physical activity-based, positive youth development among girls in the greater Hartford Community |
| Goshen Housing Trust | $4,000 | Support of drinking water quality improvement project |
| Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals | $5,000 | Support of capacity building for board and staff |
| Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals Inc | $5,000 | Mental Health Care for All: On-Site prescription and medication management services |
| Habitat for Humanity of NWCT | $25,000 | Support for newly built safe and affordable single-family homes in North Canaan & Torrington |
| Healing Hoofbeats of CT | $2,000 | Continuing education for staff |
| Healing Meals Foundation | $15,000 | Provide clients and family with meals for 12 weeks |
| Helping Hands Chore Service | $2,000 | Medical transportation for Seniors and mileage reimbursement for caregivers |
| Hill-Stead Museum | $5,000 | Secure building access control |
| Holcomb Farm Inc | $10,000 | Fresh Access Funding; distribute food through Granby and the Farmington Valley |
| Klinberg Family Centers | $7,000 | Support of Child and Adolescent Trauma services for victims of neglect, sexual or physical abuse or witness to domestic violence |
| Litchfield Historical Society | $5,000 | Support of historical curriculum programs at Litchfield public schools |
| Litchfield Land Trust | $10,000 | Historical restoration and renovation of the Shepaug Railroad Train Station into land trust office |
| Litchfield Performing Arts | $2,000 | Supporting the revamping of critical infrastructure |
| Litchfield Volunteer Ambulance | $5,207 | Purchase of patient lifting and moving devices |
| Little Britches Therapeutic Riding Inc | $1,000 | Extended Fall session 2022 and Early Spring session 2023 at Shepaug Agriscience Academy |
| McCall Center for Behavioral Health | $15,000 | Support of website upgrades |
| Morris Senior Center | $3,166 | Replacement table and chairs for Senior Center activities |
| Muddy Moose Mutts Rescue | $1,000 | Support veterinary bills, food and transport costs for rescue dogs |
| New Hartford Ambulance | $10,000 | Assist with purchasing supervisor’s vehicle |
| New Hartford Women's Club | $1,000 | Support for general programming |
| Northwest Conservation District | $3,015 | Cover Crop Challenge - "Let it Grow" program |
| Northwest CT Association for the Arts Inc / Warner Theatre | $2,500 | One Audience Outreach Program: providing discounted tickets |
| Northwestern CT YMCA, Inc. | $25,000 | assist with Railroad Square sports field creation |
| Northwestern CT YMCA, Inc. | $25,000 | assist with Railroad Square sports field creation |
| Pleasant Valley Children's Center | $1,000 | Support for sustainable heating system |
| Police Athletic League | $2,500 | PAL bus sponsorship |
| Prime Time House | $10,000 | support preventing homelessness in Litchfield County |
| Rebuilding Together Litchfield County Inc | $7,500 | Support for 2023 Rebuild day; providing home repairs for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. |
| Regional School District No. 7 | $3,000 | Support for Kindness in Motion program |
| SOAR | $2,500 | Educational enrichment |
| Stanley Whitman House | $5,000 | Provide free admissions for children, essential workers and affiliated library patrons |
| Steep Rock Association, Inc. | $3,500 | Support summer internship program |
| Supporters of Wamogo Agricultural Sciences | $25,000 | Support for Wamogo Agriscience Facility expansion project |
| Susan B. Anthony Project | $10,000 | Rebuilding lives program |
| Tails of Hope Foundation, Inc | $2,000 | Support for Website upgrade |
| Talcott Mountain Science Center | $15,000 | Under the Dome: Out of this World immersive learning for all ages |
| The Arc of The Farmington Valley, Inc. | $15,000 | Support for program providing affordable and nutritious meals to 42 clients while promoting proper nutrition and wellness |
| The Children's Museum, Inc. | $4,500 | Caring for Wildlife at Roaring Brook Nature Center's Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic |
| The Community Kitchen of Torrington Inc | $4,000 | Restocking the pantry and freezer |
| The Equus Effect | $2,000 | To assist military veterans, first responders and others with essential tools to build healthy relationships through purposeful engagement with horses |
| The Equus Effect | $1,000 | Fix the Bridge program: to provide safe path to obstacle course horse pen |
| The Falls Village Children’s Theater | $1,500 | Support for Winter Cabaret 2022 |
| The Little Red School House Association of Winchester, Inc. | $2,000 | Support to purchase display cases built to house artifacts associated with the Little Red School House during the century when it was in use as one of the five one-room schools in Winchester. |
| Theatre Guild of Simsbury | $2,500 | Sound Equipment purchase |
| Torrington Area Families for Autism Community Center | $1,000 | Support to secure a Torrington location to create a community hub for autism and special needs families |
| Visiting Nurses & Hospice of Litchfield County | $10,000 | Support for clinical laptop replacement |
| Warren Volunteer Fire Company | $2,500 | Support towards purchase of new ambulance |
| Winchester Center Historical Association Inc | $2,500 | The Chapel Restoration Project: electrical service and lighting upgrades |
| YMCA Camp Mohawk | $5,000 | Interlocking rubber playground tiles for Gaga Pit |
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