Career Pathways For Inclusive Growth
The Foundation seeks to support inclusive career pathways in local economic growth sectors that provide quality jobs (these are jobs that pay a living wage, offer meaningful benefits, predictable schedules, stable income, and worker engagement). We have a specific focus on supporting organizations that work with the following populations:
- BIPOC Populations (Black, Indigenous, and people of color)
- Women
- Returning Citizens
- Immigrants
- Other underserved populations
Scholarships at The Foundation
The Community Foundation is home to a variety of scholarship funds that benefit local students. Some are open to students from different schools. Other scholarships are designated for graduates of specific schools or attendees of specific colleges and institutions. Collectively, the funds awarded more than $602,000 to students in 2021.
New Haven Promise
With its the three pillars— "To, Through, and Back" — New Haven Promise provides: scholarships of up to full tuition ("To"); support and mentorship during higher education to ensure on-time graduation ("Through"); and meaningful job experience including paid internships with local employers ("and Back").
The Foundation played a central role in co-creating New Haven Promise in 2010 along with the City of New Haven and Yale University, and has continued to provide funding and leadership support ever since. Yale University and Yale New Haven Hospital are also leading funders and supporters of New Haven Promise.
In ten years, 2,000 students have benefitted from New Haven Promise, and the number of New Haven public school graduates who now pursue a four-year degree in has jumped by more than 70 percent. View more data about New Haven Promise.
Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology (ConnCAT)
ConnCAT was launched in 2012 with seed money from The Community Foundation in order to provide skills and life opportunities to men and women who have struggled to find or keep jobs.
Modeled on Pittsburgh's Manchester Bidwell Corporation — an internationally recognized arts and education center founded by MacArthur Fellow Bill Strickland — ConnCAT provides market-relevant job training, career placement services and entrepreneurship opportunities. Current programs include of medical coding, phlebotomy and culinary arts. It also provides after-school arts programming for a targeted urban youth student population identified as being at risk of dropping out of school.
