Hartford Foundation Invests $8M in Food Security, Basic Needs

By the end of the year, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving will make long-term and emergency investments totaling $8 million in nonprofit organizations that address food insecurity, homelessness, and wellbeing.

As the federal government shutdown stretched into its second month, the foundation announced grants to more than 70 nonprofit partners on Nov. 10.  

It also urged others to donate directly to area nonprofits, or to its Action Fund for Basic Human Needs, to help ease the burden on those impacted by a loss of federal assistance.

“Our investments support the entire food security ecosystem,” said foundation vice president Elysa Gordon.

“We strive to provide stable, steady support while ensuring that we are nimble to help community partners navigate an uncertain and rapidly changing environment.”

“Our investments support the entire food security ecosystem.”

Hartford Foundation’s Elysa Gordon

The foundation partners with larger organizations, such as Connecticut Foodshare, that “tackle systemic issues, distribute and coordinate food across our region, and mobilize community partners and volunteers to work on long-term solutions to food insecurity,” Gordon explained.

It also funds “hundreds of hyper-local food pantries that directly provide food to residents.”

This year to-date, the Hartford Foundation has awarded $2.5 million to key nonprofits throughout Greater Hartford specifically addressing hunger.

By year end, the foundation will have awarded nearly $8 million in grants for a range of basic needs, including annual Basic Human Needs Emergency Assistance grants where more than 60% of funding supports food assistance.

Here is a full list of Foundation partners helping to address food security and emergency needs in the Greater Hartford region.