Basic Needs Fund – 2025 Grantmaking Program

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s Basic Needs Fund is providing grants (up to $10,000)  to organizations providing material basic needs in the primary areas of food insecurity, shelter and housing stability, and/or clothing and hygiene. Deadline to apply is October 6, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

2024 Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be organizations providing material basic needs to support individuals in the areas of:
  • Food security;
  • Shelter and housing stability (including evictions support, cash assistance, furniture, energy assistance); and/or 
  • Clothing and hygiene needs
• Applicants must provide services in at least one of the following geographies: New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, East Haven, Ansonia or Derby. Priority will be given to applicants that have a reach into neighborhoods and areas that are underserved and have barriers to accessing resources.
• Applicants must have an annual operating budget under $2 million.

Process Description

The deadline to apply for funding is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 6, 2024.  Applicants will be notified of funding decisions the week of November 18, 2025.  

APPLICATION OPENS ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2025. A link to apply will be provided at a later date.

Basic Needs Fund History 
The Basic Needs Fund was established at The Community Foundation in April 2020 to help ensure that all Greater New Haven area residents have the basic material needs of daily life. As an endowment, the Basic Needs Fund is addressing the needs of today and providing permanent resources for future generations. Learn more about the governance of the Fund, its purpose and guiding principles, and see a list of past recipients of grant funding here. 

[1] DataHaven 2023 Community Wellbeing Index
 

Questions?
If you need any assistance with your application or have further questions, please email Hannah Elias, Program and Evaluation Manager at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.