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Farmington Bank Community Foundation recently made a social investment with New Horizons Inc as part of their startup costs associated with their first social enterprise. 

Through the generosity of Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, several Hartford County nonprofits were invited to participate in a Social Enterprise Accelerator Program in the winter of 2018-2019.  This three-year program consists of several intensive hands on, with assigned homework, workshops; business planning and fundraising coaching through 2021.  In June of this year New Horizons along with nine other nonprofits participated in fast pitches ala Shark Tank looking for social investors. 

New Horizons is a long-time grantee of the foundation, providing affordable housing with case management and services to adults with physical disabilities.  The Social Enterprise Accelerator program is an opportunity for New Horizons to fill a mission need and begin generating revenue that will reduce their reliance on charitable giving. 

This summer Sunshine Wheels was piloted at New Horizons Village and Cherry Brook Nursing Home a subsidiary of New Horizons.  Sunshine Wheels is a medical transportation program for people with physical disabilities and seniors in Farmington Valley.  New Horizon’s market study documented a need for reliable consistent transportation for people in wheelchairs.  Clients had reported numerous missed appointments due to late or dropped pickups along with long delays in return trips.  Sunshine Wheels is a fleet of accessible vans with a team of dependable and experienced drivers that are available to transport clients to and from medical, dental and behavioral health appointments.  Transportation costs are reimbursable through Medicare and or private insurance.

After successful completion of its pilot period, Sunshine Wheels has applied for its livery license and plans to begin full operations by year end.  The new enterprise provides a needed service for their clients and will generate an impressive revenue after one year with an estimated 14-16% profit margin after the first year.

Farmington Bank Community Foundation is pleased to provide a social investment to New Horizons.  Our investment was matched by Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

FBCF opened its final grant round for 2019 on September 1st. The foundation is accepting applications to support local cultural institutions’ programs and services that enrich the community and the quality of life. The application period ends October 31st.

As Foundation Bank Community Foundation wrapped up 2018, we had an opportunity to share a little extra with some of our grantees.  After the new year the foundation provided grocery store gift cards to help organizations provide a boost to the neediest families grocery budget and bus passes to assist adults entering or reentering the work force.

Our organizations were thrilled!

“It means so much to our job trainees as often the lack of transportation or access to a healthy meal seriously impacts their ability to attend training or their internships. It is unusual for a foundation to be so spontaneous in their philanthropy. It means the world to us!”

“Christmas all over again. This is so useful for our clients”

“I just opened the most wonderful surprise gift from you – bus passes and gift cards!! – we ALWAYS need these.”

“Getting to work those first few weeks before a client gets their first paycheck is critical to their success.  Thank you!”

“We are honored and grateful you thought of us to receive this donation.  These gift cards will enable our local food pantries to better meet the needs of families in the community.”  

Applications accepted December 1, 2018 through January 31, 2019

Requests to support business entrepreneurship or assistance to small business, workforce development, affordable housing, neighborhood/community revitalization and financial education are all eligible under the Community& Economic Development grant cycle.

Go to our online application