On October 27, Governor Ned Lamont announced the ninth round of Connecticut's Nonprofit Grant Program, making $19.5 million in state funding available to nonprofit providers of health and human services for capital improvements. Applications are open now and due January 5, 2027, with awards expected in spring 2027.
If your organization has a list of infrastructure projects that keep sliding to next year's budget, this is the round to bring them forward. The program is built for exactly the kind of upgrades that are hard to fund through operating dollars, and that includes the technology your staff and clients depend on every day.
What the program covers
The grant is administered by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) and pays for capital projects rather than day-to-day services. Eligible project types include:
- Facility renovations, improvements, additions, and new construction
- Health and safety upgrades, including ADA compliance
- Energy conservation and efficiency improvements
- IT infrastructure and systems
- Technology that helps clients live more independently
- Vehicles needed for service delivery
- Property acquisition
The program has a solid track record. Since it began in 2013, the first eight rounds awarded roughly $166 million for more than 700 capital projects across the state, and this round pushes total available funding past $185 million.
Where your phones, network, and safety systems fit
Two of the eligible categories stand out for organizations running on aging communications equipment: IT infrastructure and systems, and health and safety upgrades. As the Governor put it, "quality services also require safe, accessible, modern facilities." For a nonprofit, a modern facility includes a phone system that reaches staff wherever they work and a 911 setup that tells first responders exactly where help is needed.
Projects that commonly fall into these categories include:
- Upgrading to hosted VoIP so staff across multiple sites, satellite offices, and the field share one reliable system with features like auto attendants, call routing, and voicemail to email
- 911 compliance under Kari's Law and RAY BAUM'S Act, which require that anyone can dial 911 directly without a prefix and that emergency calls carry a dispatchable location
- Network infrastructure, including cabling, switches, and Wi-Fi that support both staff operations and client-facing services
- Security and access control, such as video surveillance, door entry systems, and secure vestibules that protect staff and the people you serve
Every application is reviewed against the program's own guidelines, so confirm with OPM's application materials that your specific line items qualify before you finalize your budget.
How to build a strong application
The January 5 deadline lands right after the holidays, which means most of the real work needs to happen in November and December. A few steps will put you in a stronger position:
- Start with the problem you're solving. Reviewers want to understand how the project improves safety, access, or service for your clients. A phone system that drops calls from people seeking help, or a building where 911 calls don't report the right floor, is a clear and compelling case.
- Get a defined scope and itemized pricing. A real vendor quote makes your budget credible and shows the project is ready to move once funding is awarded.
- Think about the full life of the project. Include installation, training, and any equipment needed to get the system running, and note how the upgrade reduces maintenance costs or downtime going forward.
- Pull the application materials early. Instructions are available through the state's CTsource procurement portal and the Nonprofit Grant Program webpage.
How CCi Voice can help
CCi Voice has worked with Connecticut nonprofits for years, and we offer compassionate pricing designed for organizations that need to stretch every dollar. If you're considering a communications or safety project for this grant round, we can help you:
- Assess your current phone system, network, and 911 setup
- Identify the upgrades that best match the program's eligible categories
- Provide a clear project scope and itemized quote to support your application
- Handle installation, training, and ongoing support once your award comes through
The window is open now, and a well-scoped project takes time to put together. Contact CCi Voice today to schedule a no-cost assessment, and let's get your application ready before January 5.
Ready to talk through your options before the application window opens?
Contact CCi Voice | CT: 203-938-8400
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