CT Community Nonprofit Alliance

NBC CONNECTICUT AND TELEMUNDO CONNECTICUT’S LOCAL GRANTS PROGRAM RETURNS TO PROVIDE MORE THAN $227,000 TO NONPROFITS IN 2025 Eligible Organizations Can Apply for NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants Now Through April 11 at localimpactgrants.com & becasdeimpactolocal.com WEST HARTFORD, CT – (March 11, 2025) – NBC connecticut / WVIT, Telemundo connecticut / WRDM and Comcast NBCUniversal today announced the return of the NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants for its eighth consecutive year in 2025. The competitive grant challenge will award $227,272 in unrestricted funds to eligible organizations that serve or are based in the Hartford-New Haven area. Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access more information and apply for NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants at localimpactgrants.com and the Spanish-language site becasdeimpactolocal.com today, Tuesday, March 11, through April 11. The grant categories are youth education and empowerment, next generation storytellers, and community engagement. The grant winners will be announced later this year. Organizations interested in learning more about this year’s grant program can register here to join an informational session on March 18 at 1 p.m. ET. "We are incredibly proud and excited to have provided a vital financial resource to nonprofits across the state for over seven years. Each year, as grant applications come in, we are truly inspired by the remarkable work individuals are doing to strengthen and uplift our communities" said Hank Guerrero, GM and President, NBC CT and Telemundo CT. Key grant eligibility requirements: 501(c)(3) nonprofit’s headquarters and/or the program for which the organization is applying must be located in a participating market. Entity must service the market they operate from; Organization’s total expenses must be between $100,000 and $1,000,000; and Nonprofit must help to resolve everyday community issues in any of the three grant categories NBCUniversal Local Impact Grant categories include: Youth Education & Empowerment: In-school and community-based programs that equip youth with the tools they need to succeed, including STEM/ STEAM education and youth entrepreneurship. Next Generation Storytellers: Programs that develop pathways for emerging talent and youth voices to explore careers in communications, arts, news, sports and entertainment Community Engagement: Programs that help foster community unity by enabling individuals to engage with and volunteer in their regions. The 2025 NBCU Local Impact Grants will deliver a total of $2.5 million in unrestricted funds across the 11 U.S. markets served by NBC and Telemundo-owned stations. Founded in 2018, NBCUniversal’s grant program has provided $18.5 million to 546 organizations, including the 76 nonprofits awarded $2.5 million last year. https://lnkd.in/e5hp64UC

Public Hearing on Indexing Funding Thursday, April 3rd! The Appropriations Committee will hold a public hearing on S.B. 1547 An Act Concerning Funding for Nonprofits this Thursday, April 3 beginning at 10am. The bill would require increases for nonprofits whenever state employees receive raises. It is critical that the Appropriations Committee hear from nonprofits about this proposal, which will likely be addressed through the state budget process. This is the first time that Appropriations will be holding a public hearing on this topic. Appropriations Committee Public Hearing Thursday, April 3 at 10am in Room 2C Sign up to testify by 3pm TOMORROW, Wednesday, April 2. https://lnkd.in/euqWSeSi

DOGE cuts to CT Human Services Statement from Gian Carl Casa, President & CEO, CT Community Nonprofit Alliance, on federal funding cuts to human services. “The federal cuts hitting Connecticut today are likely the first of many that will target our most vulnerable residents.  While we don’t know yet how these cuts will be implemented, we do know that nonprofits are already struggling to make ends meet and further cuts will be devastating. We also know there is serious talk of deep cuts to other programs, such as Medicaid or energy assistance, on which so many depend. “Connecticut has a history of bipartisan support for community nonprofits and the people they serve, and today state government needs to step up. The Rainy Day is here. “We have the money. Just last week, we learned this year’s surplus will be $1.5 billion, and more surpluses are projected for the years ahead. The rainy day fund holds more than $4 billion. We need not acquiesce to federal cuts in advance; we have the ability to meet the challenge and increase funding for nonprofits. “The alternative is brutal. With less access to services families of people struggling with behavioral health issues will be torn, people without shelter may freeze or live in cars, adults and children with disabilities will struggle, people seeking to rebuild their lives after prison will be left without help and people who can’t get treatment for addiction may well die. “We urge the legislature and the Governor to approve a budget that includes a $264 million increase for community nonprofits.” #FundNonprofits #StrongerTogether

After more than a decade of underfunding and federal funding in doubt, our communities are in crisis. Connecticut nonprofits and the people who depend on them are facing uncertainty and it is important that state government protect our most vulnerable residents. Community-based nonprofits contract with the state to provide a wide range of behavioral, developmental, community justice, shelter and other human services to thousands of people across the state every day. The General Assembly and the Governor have approved some increases in recent years, but after two decades of underfunding, nonprofits today have 30 percent less buying power than they did in 2007. This year, nonprofits are seeking a $264 million increase for FY26 and we need your help. Please like and share.

New Report Alert! Nonprofits need reliable compensation data to attract and retain strong teams. That’s why The Alliance commissioned an independent, comprehensive report that covers a wide range of nonprofit positions. The report provides detailed pay and benefits data from nonprofits across Connecticut to help leaders align pay with values to promote fair practices. Thank Thank you to our Community Foundation Partners for your support! Hartford Foundation for Public Giving The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven Connecticut Community Foundation Northwest CT Community Foundation (NCCF) Download the report today: https://lnkd.in/d8jeFuMd

Join our friends at Penn State World Campus on March 25th for their upcoming webinar. Use the link below to register Harnessing Your Harmony - Align priorities with values to balance work and personal life   Explore strategies to set boundaries, manage time effectively and nurture physical and mental well-being to create a sustainable rhythm that enhances productivity, reduces stress, and promotes a fulfilling and balanced life. Harnessing Your Harmony - Penn State World Campus https://lnkd.in/eRQim6DC

The Alliance would like to welcome The Walker Group as our newest Ally! Use the link below to learn more about their digital marketing services. https://lnkd.in/e2gqHN5h At The Walker Group’s Digital Marketing Solutions (DMS), we’re all about helping non-profits and mission-driven organizations make a bigger impact. As a perpetual purpose trust, giving back to the community is at the heart of everything we do. We offer tailored website design, social media management, analytics, and marketing support to help you connect with your audience and share your mission. Think of us as your partner in making a difference—using the power of digital to amplify your message and help you reach your goals. Let’s work together to create something amazing!

One of The Alliance’s top legislative priorities this legislative session is up for a public hearing and we need your support! The new Government Oversight Committee will hold a public hearing tomorrow, Tuesday, March 11 beginning at 1:30pm in Room 1A of the LOB on H.B. 7184 An Act Concerning Government Oversight. The bill is very similar to S.B. 1231, heard last month in the Government Administration & Elections Committee. Register to testify no later than 3pm today! https://lnkd.in/eduFKnAJ

Please take a moment to read the latest piece authored by our President and CEO, Gian-Carl Casa. Connecticut’s community nonprofits are the state’s human service safety net, providing life sustaining services to hundreds of thousands of our most vulnerable citizens every year. But that safety net is ripping, and ripping quickly.

Thank you so much to the CT Community Nonprofit Alliance for hosting an Advocacy Training for CHR staff last week! A very special thanks to Monika Nugent, The Alliance’s Public Policy & Advocacy Associate, for supplying us with critical tools and knowledge and teaching us how to become effective nonprofit advocates. To learn more about CHR and our services, visit www.chrhealth.org.