The Betty Knox Foundation devotes our resources to improving the lives of Hartford residents. We focus on small, meaningful contributions to the civic and socioeconomic renewal of Hartford.

Our grantmaking is closely guided by our mission of promoting the vitality of the City of Hartford by making small grants to community nonprofit organizations that are working to address Hartford’s most pressing social, economic and cultural needs. Our grants fund a variety of needs in the areas of education, youth development, arts and culture, health and human services, recreation and civics.

Each year, we support about 40 organizations which Hartford residents rely on for a whole host of services. We support field trips, after-school programs and summer camps for Hartford kids. We provide resources for early child development centers and literacy projects. We help service organizations respond to at-risk youth and their families. We award grants to groups that make food, shelter and clothing available to Hartford’s poorest residents. And we celebrate Hartford’s cultural vibrancy through concerts and events.

The Betty Knox Foundation is committed to the people of the City of Hartford and to our unique position as a small, nimble force within Hartford’s grantmaking community. We are making a difference, one small grant at a time.

The Betty Knox Foundation welcomes applications that directly support its mission:  To promote the vitality of the city of Hartford by making small grants to community nonprofit organizations that are working to address Hartford’s most pressing social, economic and cultural needs.

Only organizations whose annual operating budgets do not exceed $1,500,000 are eligible to apply for funds.  We also welcome small community groups with fiduciaries to apply, as well as faith-based organizations.

The Foundation only accepts online applications. 

The Foundation reviews grants four times a year.  Deadlines for submission are December 31 (decision by March 31), March 31 (decision by June 30), June 30 (decision by September 30), and September 30 (decision by December 31). 

• Every applicant must be designated by the Internal Revenue Service as a nonprofit under 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Tax Code OR must have an agreement with another 501(c)(3) organization which will serve as a fiscal agent for the applicant.
• Projects/programs proposed for funding must primarily benefit Hartford residents.
• Grants are made in amounts up to $2,500.
• Projects/programs that have already taken place will not be funded retroactively, so refer to deadlines for grants and grant notifications to make sure your program or event will be eligible in the timeframe you are applying.
• Our grants encourage access to events without consideration of income. If a fee is charged, please tell us how you will provide access to those who can’t afford it, and how you will make this option clear in your promotional material.
• The Betty Knox Foundation does not provide grants to public or private schools, or to individual students or teachers, to fund programs, projects, events, or trips. Neither does the Foundation provide grants for scholarships to attend educational institutions.
• The foundation will not fund an organization for more than two consecutive years and generally does not fund capital campaigns or organized fund drives..
• No more than one grant will be awarded to each organization each calendar year.
• Proposals requesting a modest sum to complete the funding required to do a project or to cover a program crisis are encouraged.
• Projects and programs proposed should be from a 501(c)3 organization, or sponsoring organization, that has at least one board member residing in the City of Hartford. If the applicant is a small community group with a fiduciary or a faith-based organization, the community group or faith-based organization must have at least one governing/board member who is a resident of City of Hartford.