“Being a part of the Bolton Greater Together Community Fund effort has been such a rewarding experience,” said Bolton committee member Shandra Scott-Brown. “It is a way for me to really connect to the community that I live in, and it was an opportunity for me to just get involved and help others. Who doesn’t like having the opportunity to meet with other people in town and give away money to service people that live in your community? It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Seven years ago, the Hartford Foundation embarked on a listening tour to hear from residents of the 29 towns the Foundation serves. People were eager to share what they love about their communities, what challenges they face and how the Foundation might help. One common theme emerged: residents understand their local needs but are often constrained by a lack of resources.
In 2019, the Hartford Foundation announced an initial investment of $2.9 million to create the Greater Together Community Funds. The initiative created separate funds in each of the towns in the Foundation’s region: Andover, Avon, Bloomfield, Bolton, Canton, East Granby, East Hartford, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Glastonbury, Granby, Hartford, Hebron, Manchester, Marlborough, Newington, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, Somers, South Windsor, Suffield, Tolland, Vernon, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, and Windsor Locks.
Each fund is administered by a volunteer committee of town residents who must be reflective of the makeup of that community. The volunteers identify the greatest needs in their communities and design a grantmaking process to ensure that the fund can provide the greatest benefit to town residents. Hartford Foundation staff provide guidance on topics such as inclusive group practices, participatory decision making and grantmaking. More than 700 volunteers have served on the 29 committees since the program launched in 2019.
The purpose of the program is to support communities as volunteers identify local organizations that are addressing the unique needs in their towns. Each committee received $50,000 for grantmaking and $50,000 for endowment, allowing a percentage of those dollars to be available annually.
In 2022, the Foundation invested an additional $1.45 million, providing each town’s Fund with $50,000, ($30,000 immediately available for grantmaking and $20,000 being invested in the Community Funds’ endowments).
“The Avon Greater Together Community Fund (AGTCF) is more than just a checkbox—it’s a platform that embodies selflessness, humility, and focus,” said Avon committee member and Avon High School student Panya Khattar. “The inspiring people I work alongside dedicate their time and effort because they genuinely believe in the betterment of our community. They show that when larger, more powerful institutions fall short, smaller, passionate groups can step up to create real, meaningful change. It’s truly ‘the people doing for the people.’ As a high school representative, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a dedicated force, one that uplifts and empowers our community in profound ways. “
“If you want to make a difference, if you want to learn more about your town and the good work that’s being done in the in town and play a part in supporting those organizations financially, I’d say being on a Community Fund committee is a great way to do that,” said West Hartford committee member Mike Fournier. “Giving $5,000, $10,000, $2,500 and then hearing the stories of the impact right within your community and about the good that the organization is able to do with that money. It’s a special feeling.”
