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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.

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Working to address the needs of the communities we serve

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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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Enter your email below to stay informed as future grant applications become available.

Applications Now Available

Applications Due: August 1, 2023
Notification: October 15, 2023

Questions: Please contact Lisa Partrick, Community Relations Officer, at Foundation@nwcommunitybank.com or (860) 393-9172.

Join Our Mailing List

Enter your email below to stay informed as future grant applications become available.

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.

2022 Foundation Gala

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.

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2022 Foundation-1

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:

Ethnic family with two children carrying boxes and plant in new home on moving day. High angle view of happy smiling daughters helping mother and father with cardboard boxes in new house. Top view of excited kids having fun walking up stairs running to their rooms while parents holding boxes.

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
Ethnic family with two children carrying boxes and plant in new home on moving day. High angle view of happy smiling daughters helping mother and father with cardboard boxes in new house. Top view of excited kids having fun walking up stairs running to their rooms while parents holding boxes.
Ethnic family with two children carrying boxes and plant in new home on moving day. High angle view of happy smiling daughters helping mother and father with cardboard boxes in new house. Top view of excited kids having fun walking up stairs running to their rooms while parents holding boxes.

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
Ethnic family with two children carrying boxes and plant in new home on moving day. High angle view of happy smiling daughters helping mother and father with cardboard boxes in new house. Top view of excited kids having fun walking up stairs running to their rooms while parents holding boxes.

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