Basic Needs Fund Grant Program
Forecasted
Basic Needs Fund Grant Program supports Greater New Haven organizations providing food, housing, clothing, and hygiene assistance to meet daily needs while promoting dignity and well-being.
Funder: Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10,000 per award; estimated $336,000 available in 2026; 12-month grant term
Summary: Supports organizations providing food, housing, clothing, and hygiene assistance that promotes dignity and well-being in Greater New Haven.
Key Information: Applicants must have annual operating budgets under $2 million and serve at least one of six designated towns.
Description
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s Basic Needs Fund supports organizations providing the material necessities of daily life. Its primary areas are food security, shelter and housing stability, and clothing and hygiene. Housing assistance may include eviction support, cash assistance, furniture, and energy assistance. Alongside direct services, grants can support staffing, infrastructure, and administrative costs that enable service delivery.
Established in April 2020, the Fund is an endowment addressing current needs while preserving resources for future generations. It values services that center individuals’ dignity and promote well-being. The Fund’s Advisory Committee set the 2026 priorities in response to disproportionate need in six designated towns and increased demand for basic-needs services, emphasizing neighborhoods and areas where residents face barriers to accessing resources.
