A nationwide group has nearly $1 million to give to Hartford’s Latino organizations. Here’s what the goal is.

The goal is investing in organizations that are trusted in Hartford’s Latino community, and ensuring resources are going to those who need them most.

To accomplish this, the multi-state Latino nonprofit organization, Hispanic Federation, is seeking applications for the $900,000 in grants it will distribute to local, community-based organizations that work to strengthen Latino communities and families in the Hartford.

Hispanic Federation CEO and President Frankie Miranda said that empowering Latino and all communities of color that have historically been marginalized requires sustained investment and culturally linguistically competent outreach.

“That’s where initiatives such as the Community Reinvestment Pilot Program come into play. By investing in local organizations who are trusted messengers in our community, we’re making sure that resources are making it into the hands of community members who need them most,” he said.

Under the program, eligible organizations must must lead programs/services that focus on education, recreation and arts, addressing homelessness, family stability, reentry programs that support formerly incarcerated individuals and their families, among others.

Hispanic Federation’s New England Regional Director Yanidsi Velez said she is excited about their partnership with Connecticut’s Social Equity Council and kick-starting the Community Reinvestment Pilot Program.

“This visionary initiative will empower communities that have historically been marginalized,” Velez said.

“Moreover, this pilot program is a testament to our commitment to bolstering the efforts of local nonprofit organizations that are supporting formerly incarcerated individuals, young residents, seniors, and families across Connecticut,” she said. “With these grants, we aim to foster transformative programs that create positive change and provide invaluable opportunities to those in need.”

To be eligible, organizations must have 501(c)(3) IRS nonprofit tax-exempt status, or be under the fiscal sponsorship of a nonprofit with tax exempt status; must have been operating in the city of Hartford for at least three years as an incorporated nonprofit zip codes: 06103, 06105, 06106, 06112, 06114, 06120 and 06160; be currently registered with the state Department of Consumer Protection Charities Unit, and have an operating budget of at least $150,000, according to the program.

Eligible organizations may be able to receive up to $100,000 in funding to support their work. The grants are part of the Connecticut Social Equity Council and its Community Reinvestment Pilot Program, which awarded the Hispanic Foundation $1 million to support local groups serving in Hartford, which is designated by the state as a disproportionately impacted area, according to the program.

The deadline for submitting completes applications is 5 p.m, August 25, 2023. Following a review, the awardees will be announced by Oct. 1, according to the program.

Miranda also said that he is grateful to the Connecticut Social Equity Council for launching the much-needed program and encourages all eligible organizations to apply for the grant.

Velez said it is important that this particular grant allows them to support programs that provide critical resources for many community members.

“It allows us the opportunity to support services needed to prepare residents for reentry, (while) expanding enrichment programs serving youth, families, communities across the state. So this actually provides a very transformative opportunity for organizations that provide direct services and create positive change and opportunities to those in need,” she said.

She said she hopes the grants will support the institutions in the city that specifically provide programming and services to both Latinos and other communities of color, who are in need of support, including families, and individuals who have been incarcerated.

The aim is to “provide opportunities to these organizations that are very active in working with youth (in) education, recreation, art, enrichment programs, even workforce preparation…financial literacy or physical/mental health, wellness, mentoring, just to mention a few of the program areas that we are looking to support through this grant,” she said.