CHEFA awards $475,000 to Hartford Promise as part of the FY 2026 Enterprise Capital Grant Program
The Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) Board of Directors has awarded $475,000 to Hartford Promise as part of the FY 2026 Enterprise Capital Grant Program. The grant will support the Reaching Beyond initiative, a robust expansion of Hartford Promise’s programs that increase educational opportunities and transform the lives of Hartford students.
“This grant reflects CHEFA’s unwavering commitment to advancing innovative education and workforce initiatives that strengthen communities across Connecticut. By supporting this unique program, we are investing in strategies that have the power to transform career pathways and create lasting impact for learners and employers alike” said Jeanette W. Weldon, Executive Director of CHEFA.
CHEFA established the Enterprise Capital Grant Program to bolster the capabilities and broaden impact of Connecticut nonprofit organizations by providing competitive grants that support strategic initiatives and strengthen balance sheets. The Reaching Beyond initiative builds upon Hartford Promise’s success and addresses an identified challenge facing Hartford Scholars upon graduation from college.
In the last 10 years, Hartford Promise has assisted more than 1,300 Promise Scholars and continues to provide critical support to approximately 500 Scholars in college in any given year. After a decade of working with Scholars, the organization identified specific barriers that often stand in the way of professional success for graduates: lack of professional networks, limited internship experience, and delayed career planning. Hartford Promise’s Reaching Beyond initiative expands and deepens the career support offered to its Scholars while also strengthening career pipelines with employer partners in Hartford and across Connecticut.
Enterprise Capital Grant funds will support expanded career programming for all Hartford Scholars, outreach to employers to broaden the statewide partner network, and biannual Career Fairs to connect Scholars with professionals in their chosen field. In conjunction with Hartford Promise’s existing programs, this work will create a ripple effect that benefits Scholars, addresses Connecticut’s workforce challenges, and fosters a generation of engaged citizens.
“CHEFA is proud to award this grant to a program that stands out for its creativity, collaboration, and potential to deliver meaningful results. We are dedicated to funding initiatives that not only address today’s workforce needs but also lay the groundwork for sustained educational and economic success” said Jen Chapman, CHEFA Grants Program Manager.
