By Megan Burke
The global COVID-19 pandemic, with its public health and economic crises, was overlaid upon generations of structural and systemic racism in the United States. These dual pandemics created a once-in-a-lifetime calamity, but simultaneously revealed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We saw our community draw upon its greatest strengths, while exposing some of our longstanding weaknesses and failures. As the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding towns, at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, these experiences reinforced our strategic commitment to help dismantle systemic racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility for Black and Latinx residents.
To do this right, the Foundation has focused on listening and engaging with residents, nonprofit leaders and elected officials, identifying critical partners to guide our work. As it continues to evolve, we recognize the need to continue to hear from the community to learn about new approaches and new partners that might contribute to this effort.
In March, the Hartford Foundation launched two new opportunities to engage and support nonprofit partners aligned with our strategic commitment. The first of these, the Hartford Foundation’s Access Grants, offers a new way for our organization to break down decades of structural racism and provide new opportunities to enhance Black and Latinx residents’ social and economic mobility. Since its launch, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.1 million in grants to 33 nonprofits. Many of the grants went to smaller organizations that were new to the Hartford Foundation, with a focus on organizations with leadership and staff that are reflective of the community that they serve and have deep relationships in communities of color.
The work supported by the Foundation includes both new projects and existing efforts, including operating support for organizations with a mission that is dedicated to dismantling structural racism. Many of these grants align with the Foundation’s strategic outcome priorities including: increased social strength and connectedness of Hartford neighborhoods, resident-led advocacy and organizing efforts, increased opportunities for education and employment, greater access to vital human services and increased equity and inclusion in the region’s arts sector. A few of the funded projects propose new approaches, beyond these priority outcome areas, to advancing the Foundation’s strategic commitment. While initial grant awards cover a one-year period, work to dismantle racism and advance equitable economic and social mobility will require sustained efforts, and the Foundation is committed to considering future support for those efforts that show the potential for continued progress.
The second new opportunity program launched in March supports Greater Hartford’s faith community in carrying out work that advances the Foundation’s mission. Through a series of convenings last year, the Foundation learned the faith community has been responding to the challenges arising from, and exacerbated by, the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and racism. We heard about the pressing needs faith leaders see, the ways they are addressing them, and what more is needed to support their efforts. Faith leaders told the Foundation how their organizations are sharing resources and providing vital resources for critical human needs, nurturing and healing, regardless of whether they identify with a specific faith. The Foundation also heard how communities of faith are catalyzing their congregants and the broader community around social and racial justice issues.
Recognizing the unique role that faith-based organizations play in our communities, reaching some of our most vulnerable residents and delivering critical information as credible voices, in June, the Foundation awarded $300,000 to 33 organizations. The grants are addressing a range of inclusive activities to support residents disproportionately affected by COVID-19, fulfill basic needs of congregants and the broader community impacted by racial/ethnic, geographic, economic disparities, or advance community engagement focused on social and racial justice. While grant funds can not be used to promote religious doctrine, our growing relationship with the faith community has uncovered the many critical ways that faith communities can serve and include ALL of their neighbors.
The Foundation’s support for neighborhood-based efforts being led by smaller, resident-led nonprofit organizations is a recognition of the fundamental role they play in supporting residents, amplifying resident voices and nurturing the overall well-being of the people we all serve. As this work progresses, we look forward to continuing to learn from these organizations as they undertake innovative and powerful projects to support the community.
Megan Burke is the Director of Community Impact Grantmaking at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding towns. Through partnerships, the Foundation seeks to strengthen communities in Greater Hartford by putting philanthropy in action to dismantle structural racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $849 million since its founding in 1925. For more information, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.
