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The Northwest Community Bank Foundation was funded and organized on January 1, 2022 by Northwest Community Bank and its Divisions, Collinsville Bank and Litchfield Bancorp, as a separate non-profit entity.  The Foundation extends the Bank’s contributions to non-profit agencies and organizations working to address the needs of the communities the bank serves.

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Working to address the needs of the communities we serve

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Our Mission

The Northwest Community Bank Foundation’s mission is to support non-profit organizations that strengthen and enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve.

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Our Mission

The Northwest Community Bank Foundation’s mission is to support non-profit organizations that strengthen and enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve.

Questions: Please contact Lisa Partrick, Community Relations Officer, at Foundation@nwcommunitybank.com or (860) 393-9172.

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How to Apply

Next Application Dates
Applications Available: August 15, 2024
Applications Due: September 15, 2024

Questions: Please contact Lisa Partrick, Community Relations Officer, at Foundation@nwcommunitybank.com or (860) 393-9172.

Join Our Mailing List

Enter your email below to stay informed as future grant applications become available.

Applications Now Available

Applications Due: March 15, 2024
Notification: May 15, 2024

Questions: Please contact Lisa Partrick, Community Relations Officer, at Foundation@nwcommunitybank.com or (860) 393-9172.

Join Our Mailing List

Enter your email below to stay informed as future grant applications become available.

Our Recipients: Providing opportunities to those who impact our community

In its 2023, The Northwest Community Bank Foundation, Inc. awarded $302,100 to 83 non-profit organizations. Foundation President Paul McLaughlin, Jr., states that, “We were very pleased with the response and our opportunity to support area non-profit organizations. In addition to our traditional Corporate Giving Program, the Foundation is another way the bank achieves our fundamental goal: to serve the communities where we live and work. We look forward to continuing to give support in 2024.”

NCB Foundation Gala 2024

Northwest Community Bank Foundation’s “Gratitude Gala” was held in January 2024

The Northwest Community Bank Foundation proudly hosted our second annual GALA Event at KidsPlay Museum in Torrington, CT. We were honored to be joined by many of the non-profits who received grants. In all, 83 organizations received over $300,000 in 2023. These non-profit organizations provide much needed support in so many ways, helping families in need, offsetting food insecurity, providing behavioral health services, supporting individuals with disabilities, assisting with land preservation, and funding afterschool activities. Together, we’re making a positive impact in our community!

Northwest Community Bank Foundation Grants Awarded in 2023

Girl Scouts of CT

Girl Scouts of Connecticut
Awarded $5,000 Grant

  1. Read Caption

    In 2023, Northwest Community Bank Foundation awarded a total of $5,000 to the Girl Scouts of Connecticut to make Girl Scouting Accessible in Torrington. From left to right, Northwest Community Bank President & CEO Maura Malo; Girl Scouts of Connecticut CEO Diana Mahoney; and Northwest Community Bank Foundation President Paul McLaughlin.

Holcomb Farm

Holcomb Farm
Awarded $5,000 Grant

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    In 2023, Northwest Community Bank Foundation awarded a total of $5,000 to Holcomb Farm to enhance the soil to grow more food. From left to right, Managing Farmer of Holcomb Farm Joe O’Grady; Executive Director of Holcomb Farm Jenny Emery; and Northwest Community Bank Foundation President Paul McLaughlin.

Helping Hands Chore Service

Helping Hands Chore Service
Awarded $3,000 Grant

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    In 2023, Northwest Community Bank Foundation awarded a total of $3,000 to the Helping Hands Chore Service for program development & capacity building; medical transportation for seniors. From left to right, Northwest Community Bank Foundation President Paul McLaughlin; Director of Helping Hands Chore Service Irene Connole; Northwest Community Bank Foundation Chairman Alan Colavecchio; and Northwest Community Bank President & CEO Maura Malo.

Simsbury Performing Arts

Simsbury Performing Arts
Awarded $2,500 Grant

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    In 2023, Northwest Community Bank Foundation awarded a total of $2,500 to Simsbury Performing Arts for their 2024 Circus Smirkus Benefactor Ticket Subsidy Program. From left to right, Northwest Community Bank Foundation President Paul McLaughlin and Executive Director Simsbury Performing Arts Missy DiNunno.

Avon Land Trust

Avon Land Trust
Awarded $2,000 Grant

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    In 2023, Northwest Community Bank Foundation awarded a total of $2,000 to the Avon Land Trust for Avon Land Trust programming and project support. From left to right, Northwest Community Bank Foundation President Paul McLaughlin; Northwest Community Bank President & CEO Maura Malo, Treasurer of Avon Land Trust Scott Lewis; and Northwest Community Bank Foundation Chairman Alan Colavecchio.

Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals

Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals
Awarded $5,000 Grant

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    In 2023, Northwest Community Bank Foundation awarded a total of $5,000 to the Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals to support EMDR & Trauma-Informed Therapies Training for Greenwoods Network Providers. From left to right, Northwest Community Bank Director of Business Services & Commercial Lender Margaret Warner; Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals Director of Development Marisa Johnson; Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals Executive Director John Simoncelli; and Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals Board of Trustees President Peter Aziz.

Stanley-Whitman House

Stanley-Whitman House
Awarded $2,500 Grant

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    In 2023, Northwest Community Bank Foundation awarded a total of $2,500 to the Stanley-Whitman House to provide free admission. From left to right, Stanley-Whitman House Executive Director Andres Verzosa and Northwest Community Bank Farmington Branch Manager Dena Martinelli.

Watertown History Museum

Watertown History Museum
Awarded $1,000 Grant

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    In 2023, Northwest Community Bank Foundation awarded a total of $1,000 to the Watertown History Museum for their Illuminating Our Past funding. From left to right, Watertown History Museum Curator Joann Barthelmess; Watertown History Museum President Ivan Cyr; and Northwest Community Bank Watertown Branch Manager Eileen Couture.
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Northwest CT YMCA
Awarded $50,000 Grant

In 2022, Northwest Community Bank Foundation awarded a total of $50,000 to Northwest CT YMCA for its sports field in Torrington. From left to right, Foundation Vice President Paul McLaughlin; Northwest Y Chief Executive Officer Greg Brisco; Foundation Chair of the Board Alan Colavecchio; and Foundation President Stephen Reilly.

2022 Foundation-2
2022 Foundation-1

McCall Center for Behavioral Health
Awarded $15,000 Grant

In 2022, Northwest Community Bank Foundation awarded $15,000 to McCall Center for Behavioral Health for website development. From left to right, Foundation Vice President Paul McLaughlin; McCall Foundation Chief Executive Officer Maria Coutant Skinner; Foundation Chair of the Board Alan Colavecchio; and Foundation President Stephen Reilly.

$302,100 in grants awarded to 83 non-profit organizations in 2023

2023 Fall Cycle Recipients

Non-Profit Organization Amount Purpose
Avon Land Trust, Inc. $2,000.00 Avon Land Trust Programming and Project Support
Bantam Civic Association $2,000.00 Playground improvements
Beardsley Library $5,000.00 Tech Upgrade Including New Computers 
Canaan Child Care Center $1,000.00 Family Scholarship Funds/Healthy Snacks for Kids
Canton Historical Society $2,000.00 Collins Company panoramic painting restoration
Caring for Bethlehem, Inc. $1,000.00 Winter Is Coming! Feed the Families
Connecticut Spokebenders $2,000.00 CT Spokebenders WC Basketball: Season Funding 
CREATE Independence $1,000.00 CREATEur Makerspace "Where Creativity meet Inclusion"
Gifts of Love $2,500.00 Food for Seniors 
Girl Scouts of Connecticut, Inc. $5,000.00 Making Girl Scouting Accessible in Torrington 
Healing Hoofbeats of CT, Inc. $1,500.00 Animal Welfare Fund
Helping Hands Chore Service $3,000.00 Program Development & Capacity Building; Medical Transportation for Seniors  
Holcomb Farm, Inc. $5,000.00 Enhance the Soil to Grow More Food
Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford $2,000.00 In-Depth Support for Holocaust Survivors and Older Refugees From the Former Soviet Union
Litchfield Hills Adult Day Care $3,000.00 Replacing Dining Room Chairs
Litchfield Hills/Northwest Elderly Nutrition Program $2,500.00 Keep our Winsted Routes Rolling
Litchfield Historical Society $2,500.00 Matching Funds – “To Come to A Land of Milk and Honey”, 2-year Exhibition and Programming 
Litchfield Performing Arts, Inc. $2,000.00 Jazz After Work
Little Britches Therapeutic Riding, Inc. $1,000.00 Little Britches at Shepaug Fall 2023
McCall Behavioral Health Network $3,500.00 Personal Care Items for Residents in Recovery
Morris Historical Society $2,500.00 New electrical panel for the Old Town Hall Museum
Morris Public Library $1,500.00 Listen, Read, and Explore with VOX Books
New Hartford Volunteer Ambulance $3,000.00 Personal Protective Equipment - Extrication Gear
New Hartford Women's Club $1,500.00 Project Community Support
Open Cupboard at Granby Congregational Church $2,000.00 Open Cupboard at Granby Congregational Church, UCC
Rebuilding Together Litchfield County, Inc. $5,000.00 Rebuild Day 24
Rivers Alliance of Connecticut $2,000.00 CT Watershed Conservation Network Roundtables
Simsbury Performing Arts Center, Inc. $2,500.00 2024 Circus Smirkus Benefactor Ticket Subsidy Program
Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association, Inc. $3,000.00 Ambulance Equipment Replacement and Expansion
SpiritHorse Therapeutic Riding Center of Canton, Inc. $1,500.00 Therapeutic Winter Riding Program
Sundown Ski Patrol $1,000.00 Replace Patrol Radios
Susan B. Anthony Project $5,000.00 Rebuilding Lives Program
The Arc of the Farmington Valley, Inc. $2,500.00 Favarh Players Theatre Program
The Avon Historical Society $1,000.00 Production of Interpretive Panel Displays for the new Avon History Museum
Town of Canton Fire & EMS Department $2,500.00 New Station Fitness Room Fitness Equipment
Town of Morris $1,500.00 Park Benches
Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy $1,500.00 Accessible Trail from Seymour School to Howard Preserve / Nourish My Soul Farm / Salmon Brook
Watertown History Museum $3,000.00 Mapping Our History
Winsted Senior Center $3,000.00 Relaxation Stations
YMCA Camp Mohawk $5,000.00 Day Camp Tent

2023 Spring Cycle Recipients

Non-Profit Organization Amount Purpose
American Mural Project $3,000.00 AMP Education Programs
American Museum of Tort Law $2,500.00 Audio Narration for the Museum Exhibits
Brooker Memorial $3,000.00 Building Equity Through Interpretation
Burlington Volunteer Fire Department $2,500.00 Upgrades needed for CPR Program with latest Standards for American Heart Association
Canaan Child Care Center $2,500.00 Family Scholarship Funds/Healthy Snacks for Kids
Canton Main Street, Inc. $2,500.00 High St. Junction (Train Station) Rehabilitation Project
Civic Family Services aka The Clothes Tree $3,000.00 Consignment Software
Connecticut News Consortium $2,500.00 The Winsted Citizen 
Covenant to Care for Children, Inc. $3,000.00 Basic essential goods for children
CREATE Independence $5,000.00 Summer Life Skills program to develop & improve daily independence & community participation. 
EdAdvance $1,000.00 Business Education Series for Local Childcare Providers
Explorations, Inc. $5,200.00 Board Development for Capacity Building. Increase unique learning opportunities for students. 
Farmington Land Trust, Inc. $2,500.00 Renovation of the Post & Beam Barn and Workroom at the Wilcox-Bushley Homestead
FOCUS Center for Autism, Inc. $7,500.00 FOCUS Autism Spectrum Unplugged Panel
Friend to Friend, Inc. $7,000.00 Friend To Friend Food Pantry support 
Friendly Hands Food Bank, Inc. $7,000.00 Replenishing the Shelves for the Hungry 
Girls on the Run Greater Hartford $5,000.00 After-school Girls on the Run Program for girls in 3rd-8th grade
Goshen Fire Company, Inc $3,400.00 Acquisition of two electronic life signs (vitals) monitors.
Greenwoods Counseling Referrals, Inc.  $5,000.00 EMDR & Trauma-Informed Therapies Training for Greenwoods Network Providers
Healing Meals Community Project $10,000.00 Healthy Meals and Wellness for Low-Income Neighbors
Hill-Stead Museum $3,000.00 Visual and Performing Arts Summer STEAM Academy 
KidsPlay Children's Museum, Inc. $25,000.00 Finishing Funds for KidsPlay’s 57 Main Street Expansion
McCall Behavioral Health Network $4,000.00 Internal Family Systems Therapy Training
McLean $2,500.00 Kitchen fixture replacements
Morris Fire Company $1,000.00 Morris Fire Company hose replacement project
Prime Time House $7,500.00 Next Steps to Independence
Salisbury Housing Committee, Inc $5,000.00 Anne Kremer Capital Campaign
Simsbury Historical Society $1,000.00 Project Name:  Repairing The Meeting House 
Simsbury Main Street Partnership, Inc. $2,500.00 Program Grant for SMSP
SpiritHorse Therapeutic Riding Center of Canton, Inc. $2,500.00 Therapeutic Summer Riding Program
Stanley-Whitman House $2,500.00 FREE ADMISSIONS
Summit Adaptive Sports, Inc. $2,500.00 Summit Adaptive Sports Summer Programming
Talcott Mountain Science Center for Student Involvement, Inc. $10,000.00 Capacity Building: Strategic Planning
The Community Kitchen of Torrington, Inc $5,000.00 Freezer and Pantry Spring Restocking
The Kids of Summer Foundation $1,000.00 Immersive Fishing Experience
The Robert C. Geer Memorial Hospital, Inc. $5,000.00 Go Geer program
Town of Morris $2,000.00 Boat launch Handicap Access
VNA Valley Care, Inc. $20,000.00 Technology Grant
Watertown History Museum $1,000.00 Illuminating Our Past
Westley’s Wish K9 Rescue $2,500.00 Ongoing Vet bills
Winchester Land Trust $5,000.00 Cannavo Spring Watershed Protection Initiative
Winchester Youth Service Bureau branch of the Northwest CT YMCA $3,500.00 Rising Star Camp Scholarships 
Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center $5,000.00 Sunporch Revitalization Project

Investment Focus Areas will include, but will not be limited to the following:

Ethnic family with two children carrying boxes and plant in new home on moving day. High angle view of happy smiling daughters helping mother and father with cardboard boxes in new house. Top view of excited kids having fun walking up stairs running to their rooms while parents holding boxes.

Education That Fuels
Future Economic Success

Our education grants help empower people to build personal assets and skills to take charge of their futures.

  • Youth development including early childhood education
  • Financial education
  • Employment skills/workforce development
  • Women’s empowerment

Safe and Affordable Housing

Our affordable housing grants support access to safe, clean and affordable places to live.

  • Community development projects
  • Maintenance and renovation projects
  • Homebuyer programs
  • Foreclosure and eviction prevention programs
Ethnic family with two children carrying boxes and plant in new home on moving day. High angle view of happy smiling daughters helping mother and father with cardboard boxes in new house. Top view of excited kids having fun walking up stairs running to their rooms while parents holding boxes.
Ethnic family with two children carrying boxes and plant in new home on moving day. High angle view of happy smiling daughters helping mother and father with cardboard boxes in new house. Top view of excited kids having fun walking up stairs running to their rooms while parents holding boxes.

Basic Human Services

Our basic human services grants support organizations that meet the immediate needs of individuals and families while also supporting prevention and long-term solutions for people living in difficult economic circumstances. (Food Pantries are encouraged to request support through Northwest Community Bank’s Corporate Giving programs.)

  • Food and nutrition programs
  • Fuel assistance
  • Domestic violence programs
  • Temporary housing, shelter
  • Basic necessity assistance e.g., clothing
  • Health Services

Community Impact

Our community impact grants support the overall well-being of individuals within the community

  • Disaster relief
  • The Environment
  • The Arts
  • Animal Welfare
Ethnic family with two children carrying boxes and plant in new home on moving day. High angle view of happy smiling daughters helping mother and father with cardboard boxes in new house. Top view of excited kids having fun walking up stairs running to their rooms while parents holding boxes.

Guidelines and Eligibility:

Eligibility for Grants:

To apply for a grant from the Northwest Community Bank Foundation applicants must be:

  • A registered 501(c) 3 organization that demonstrates significant local Municipalities will be considered.
  • An organization whose mission or services align with Northwest Community Bank’s investment focus
  • An organization providing services within Northwest Community Bank Communities*

*While preference is given to organizations primarily serving the aforementioned cities and towns, the Foundation Board will also consider funding for programs which reach a broader, more regional area, as long as that area incorporates services provided to Northwest Community Bank Communities.

The Foundation does not provide financial support to political organizations or candidates, activities for religious purposes, individual endeavors or organizations which are discriminatory in their practices. Additionally, it will not fund organizations which utilize a fiscal agent.

Geographic Preference:

Avon, Barkhamsted, Berlin, Bethlehem, Bloomfield, Bridgewater, Bristol, Burlington, Canaan, Canton, Colebrook, Collinsville, Cornwall, East Granby, Falls Village, Farmington, Goshen, Granby, Hartford, Hartland, Harwinton, Kent, Lakeville, Litchfield, Morris, New Britain, New Hartford, Newington, New Milford, Norfolk, Plainville, Rocky Hill, Roxbury, Salisbury, Sharon, Simsbury, Southington, Suffield, Terryville, Thomaston, Torrington, Warren, Washington, Watertown, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, Windsor Locks, Winsted and Woodbury.

Grant Programs:

The Foundation will consider the following types of funding requests from organizations that fit our investment focus areas.

  • Program Grants to support the delivery and/or expansion of the direct services core to the mission of local organizations.
  • Capacity Building Grants aimed at strengthening an agency’s ability to make a greater impact, improve effectiveness and efficiency or adapt to address changing community needs. e.g., strategic planning, staff and board development, technology upgrades, and marketing.
  • Capital Grants and Campaigns will be considered by the Foundation but may also be selectively considered by Northwest Community Bank’s Corporate Giving programs.

*Capital projects are typically defined as major building purchases, new construction, expansion, renovation, and/or land acquisition.

Frequency:

Organizations may apply to one grant cycle and total annual grants awarded will not exceed $25,000. Extenuating circumstances may be considered.

Deadlines and Review Process:

Grants will be reviewed by the Foundation’s Board of Directors in an impartial manner based upon an evaluation of each grant request. Some key elements examined in our grant evaluation process include an organizations’ financial sustainability, leadership, impact and collaboration within the community.

2024 Phase I: Application Available February 15th Due March 15th Notification May 15th
2024 Phase II: Application Available August 15th Due September 15th Notification November 15th

Average Grant Request:

The average grant amount distributed in 2023 was $3,500.

Additional Eligibility Guidelines:

Although there are many worthy endeavors, the Foundation generally does not invest in the causes listed below.  If you fall into one of these categories, we suggest you submit your request to Northwest Community Bank’s Corporate Giving program which may possibly consider your request.

  • Individuals including those seeking scholarships, fellowships, or sponsors for a particular cause
  • Alumni organizations
  • Endowment campaigns
  • Fundraising dinners or events and tickets to fundraising events
  • Individual sports teams including youth sports teams and leagues
  • Advertising and promotional items or merchandise
  • Organizations designed primarily for lobbying, Political Action Committees, candidates, and lobbying
  • Travel, including conferences, seminars, tours and student trips
  • The Foundation does not make grants to organizations for which program services are contingent on participation in religious services or events or adherence to religious doctrine.
  • Other Foundations

Northwest Community Bank Foundation Board Members

  • Alan Colavecchio, Chair
  • Jane Hinkel
  • Raimie Webber
  • Brian McCormick, Co-Chair
  • Jessica Bragg
  • Susan Atkins
  • William Shea
  • Charles Joseph
  • Kevin Sullivan