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.

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 $2,000.
• 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..
• Proposals requesting a modest sum to complete the funding required to do a project or to cover a program crisis are encouraged.

Grant Application Instructions

The Betty Knox Foundation only accepts applications online. 

If your organization has an annual operating budget that exceeds $1,500,000, it is not eligible to receive funding from the Betty Knox Foundation at this time.

Please note that to complete the application you will need to upload all required attachments which include: an IRS Letter of Determination, budget for program/project, and an annual organizational budget.

The Foundation reviews applications 4 times per year.
– Applications received by December 31 will be decided by March 31
– Applications received by March 31 will be decided by June 30
– Applications received by June 30 will be decided by September 30
– Applications received by September 30 will be decided by December 31.

* The Foundation does not review applications in which the event/program will have started prior to our decision.