Civic & Resident Engagement
Investing in community-driven change efforts
When residents are civically informed and engaged, they can influence decisions and policies that shape their communities. That’s why we invest in nonprofits and strategies that bring more voices to the table.
Civic engagement takes many forms to build a stronger, more inclusive region. We invest in civic education and participation to increase awareness of civic duty, focusing in areas with historically lower voter turnout.
We provide resources to nonprofits and coalitions to expand opportunities for residents to share their voices and identify areas of need in their neighborhoods. We fund community organizing efforts that increase policymaker knowledge of resident identified community needs and support residents in making positive changes for their community.
The outcome we seek is:
Strengthened civic engagement, education, and movement-building.
What we support
Here are some examples of our Civic & Resident Engagement work:
Supporting Voter Engagement Efforts
In 2024, we awarded $50,000 to Hartford Votes ~Hartford Vota Coalition to serve as the backbone organization for collaborative civic engagement efforts, including community-led learning and evaluation activities. The Coalition works to increase voter engagement in Hartford, especially among underrepresented or disengaged populations. This was part of nearly $240,000 in total grants we awarded for 2024 voter engagement efforts.
Voter Captains: Culturally Relevant Voter Outreach in Hartford
A grant from the Foundation supported Trinity College and the Hartford Votes Coalition in their efforts to boost voter participation through the Voter Captain program. This initiative leverages residents’ shared values and personal stories to encourage family, friends, and neighbors to the polls.
See more of our Civic and Resident Engagement work
Why did we choose this outcome?
Our outcome areas are interconnected, data-driven, and community-informed.
We chose these outcomes and developed our grantmaking strategies after listening to community partners and reviewing available data about our residents’ most pressing needs. Community voice and leadership beats at the heart of our strategic priorities. We have set big goals, and to accomplish them, we need residents in our region to inform us of our understanding of critical issues and to create solutions that are responsive to and reflective of our entire community.
Read the data on Civic and Resident Engagement:
More priority outcomes
Greater Hartford Gives has an internal team of experienced, knowledgeable professionals dedicated to each of our five outcome areas. These teams work closely with our community partners to stay informed about community needs and best practices. We believe that success in these outcome areas will lead to a more equitable and prosperous Greater Hartford.
Employment Opportunities
Black and Latine residents face disproportionate barriers to education and employment opportunities. These barriers start in early childhood and persist through their education journey and the workplace. When all community members have equitable opportunity to reach their education and career goals, the entire region is strengthened.
Basic Human Needs
Inequitable systems and practices have failed to meet the most basic of human needs critical for individual well-being—food, housing, and health care. When these needs are met, people in our region can flourish.
Thriving Neighborhoods
Achieving equity requires strengthening neighborhoods so that opportunities for social connections and economic mobility reaches all individuals and families. This means working to increase the number of residents living in quality, affordable housing, and in the growth of prosperous, resident-owned small businesses across the region.
Arts and Culture
Diversity and inclusion in the arts and culture ecosystem—reflected in artists, audiences, arts leaders, and programming—can be a catalyst to bridge differences. We focus on supporting arts and culture organizations that contribute to a more diverse and inclusive arts ecosystem.
Learn more about our Strategic Priorities to dismantle structural racism and advance opportunity in Greater Hartford.
Support this work
Donors:
Help us bolster civic engagement and ensure residents have a voice in shaping their communities.
Learn how you can support our strategic priorities.
Nonprofits:
Does your mission or project work align with our Civic & Resident Engagement outcome?
Learn how to best position your organization for our grant opportunities.