Grants Aimed at Supporting New Haven Families

As part of a citywide strategy to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families, the Annie E. Casey Foundation/Casey Family Services are seeking applicants for its New Haven, Connecticut, Direct Service Grants Program. This year’s funding effort focuses on increasing the economic stability of families.

The Foundation and its direct service agency, Casey Family Services, anticipate awarding nearly $300,000 in the upcoming grant cycle, supporting a wide range of not–for–profit and community–serving organizations that work directly with disadvantaged children, youth, and families in New Haven. In 2008, three small grants between $2,000 and $10,000 will be awarded, as well as eight grants from $10,001 to $25,000. In addition, a $75,000 collaboration grant will be available to two or more organizations that partner in providing an eligible service.

In 2008, the grant program will focus more strongly on efforts that support family economic success, a significant part of the Foundation’s strategy to strengthen vulnerable families.

"A family experiencing economic stress is at greater risk for the stressors and crises that lead to children becoming involved with foster care," says Raymond L. Torres, executive director of Casey Family Services and vice president with the Casey Foundation. "When there is economic stability in a household, children are more likely to grow up safe, healthy, and happy."

As part of its vision, Casey seeks to facilitate communities in which families with children develop confidence in the adequacy, predictability, and security of income and assets. Activities funded by the grant will support families in securing employment, saving money on a regular basis, owning their homes and other assets, and accessing appropriate health care and child care.

Letters of intent from applicants for the direct services grants program are due on February 6, 2008. Full proposals are then due by March 7, 2008. For the collaboration grant, applicants must submit letters of intent by February 22, 2008, and full proposals by April 14, 2008.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation is the nation’s largest private foundation devoted exclusively to improving the lives of disadvantaged children and families in the United States. It was established in 1948 by Jim Casey, one of the co–founders of UPS. In 1976, the Foundation established its direct service agency, Casey Family Services. Today, with headquarters in New Haven, Casey Family Services is helping children build lifelong families through a continuum of permanency services, including family preservation, family reunification, foster care, adoption, and post–adoption, throughout New England and Baltimore, Maryland.

To download the grants announcement, click here.

To download the Letter of Intent as a writeable PDF, click here.

For more information, contact Roslyn Williams at 203.401.6964 or rwilliams@caseyfamilyservices.org.