Connecticut State Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development

Governor Dannel P. Malloy

01/08/2014

Gov. Malloy: State Grant Program Encourages Nonprofit Collaboration, Efficiency

Expands on Grants Available Announces Other Awards For Nonprofit Organizations


(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that the state Office of Policy and Management (OPM) is accepting applications for a new round of grants to encourage collaboration and sharing among nonprofit agencies.

The Nonprofit Collaboration Incentive Grant Program provides funds for one-time infrastructure costs to consolidate programs and services by collaborating nonprofit organizations. The goal is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided by the agencies.

Eligible applicants are a collaboration of two or more nonprofit organizations providing services in Connecticut. Each participating organization of the collaboration must be designated as a 501(c)(3) by the IRS. Priority will be given to organizations that have existing contracts or agreements with the State of Connecticut to provide health or human services.

"I am pleased that my administration has been able to take positive steps to support nonprofit providers, which serve all citizens of Connecticut and play a substantial role in maintaining our safety net during challenging times," said Governor Malloy. "Partnering with our nonprofit organizations is a smart fiscal investment to ensure that these agencies can continue to provide services while doing so in an efficient, cost-effective way."


"Our state's future depends on having a comprehensive support structure for all of our children and families, and the network of nonprofit providers is a vital part of that system," Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said. "I am confident that our support of these collaborations will reinforce the great work being done by these agencies to keep the foundation of our communities strong."
"This program helps nonprofit organizations find ways to provide better services at lower operating costs," said Ben Barnes, Secretary of OPM. "At the same time that we're making government more efficient, this program can help nonprofit community-based providers do the same. They already provide valuable services, often on tight budgets. This incentive grant encourages them to think about ways they can work together to improve efficiency."

According to Terry Edelstein, Nonprofit Liaison to the Governor, "this grant program will assist nonprofit organizations to streamline programs and services through local, regional and stateside collaborations. It provides an opportunity for private provider agencies to carry out their strategic planning initiatives and demonstrate real change."

The program will distribute grants to qualified nonprofit organizations for: the purchase of, or improvement to facilities; refinancing of facility loans; equipment purchases; energy conservation; transportation and technology projects; and relocation expenses related to physical consolidation of the collaboration.

There is $3,743,591 available for new projects under the program, with a minimum grant amount of $25,000. Responses to the formal "Question and Answer" process will be posted on January 13, 2014 on the Office of Policy and Management and Department of Administrative Services websites. The application deadline for consideration for funding is 3:00 p.m. on February 14, 2014.

 

Previous rounds of grants were awarded in 2010-2012 to five collaborations of nonprofit agencies.

The Nonprofit Collaboration Incentive Grant Program issuance follows the Governor's announcement in August of the availability of funding through a new "Nonprofit Grant Program," the NPG. Applications for that program were due in October and the application process is closed. Final award notifications will be issued in mid-February.

 

Other Bond Funds For Nonprofit Organizations

Today's meeting of the State Bond Commission included the authorization of $20 million in funding for the Nonprofit Grant Program . These two grant programs, combined, offer almost $24 million to nonprofit organizations to meet their infrastructure and collaboration needs.

In addition, the State Bond Commission today authorized awards to nonprofit organizations funded through the state Department of Social Services (DSS), the state Department of Children and Families (DCF), the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), and other state agency bond pools.

They include:

  • Oak Hill, Inc. will construct an adaptive recreational facility in Bristol.

  • The Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County, Inc. will be able to make renovations and improvements to its building in Bridgeport to establish a Family Justice Center.

  • Continuum of Care Inc. in New Haven will be able to construct a new administrative office building that will create a consolidated, efficient and expanded operations center to serve more clients.

  • Recovery Network of Programs will be able to replace its fire/security system and add new vinyl siding at its Bridgeport location.

  • Noank Group Homes & Support Services, Inc. in Groton and Ledyard will purchase generators.

  • Mercy Housing and Shelter Corp., of Hartford, will make HVAC and code compliance improvements at St. Elizabeth House.

  • The Connecticut Food Bank will be constructing a new 57,000 square foot distribution facility in Wallingford.

  • The Greater Hartford Jewish Community Center will make safety and accessibility improvements to the Gilman Theater in West Hartford.

  • The Windham County 4-H Foundation, Inc. will make renovations and additions to the Windham Tolland 4-H Camp Lodge Building in Pomfret.

  • The Soundview Family YMCA will construct a new addition in Branford.

  • The Boys & Girls Club of Stamford, Inc. will expand its facility in Stamford.

  • Pathways, Inc. will be able to purchase an emergency generator for its facility in Greenwich.

  • Perception Programs, Inc. in Willimantic will be able to replace a roof, replace a driveway and purchase an emergency generator.

  • The Stamford Center for the Arts will be able to replace seating and make roof repairs at the Palace Theater.

  • The Norwalk Maritime Museum will expand its cultural and entertainment-related operations.

  • Riverfront Recapture in Hartford will expand the Riverwalk South/gateway project along the Connecticut River.

  • The Wadsworth Museum of Art in Hartford will complete the final phase of renovations to galleries and interior spaces.