Please Note:
Potential and returning grantees are strongly encouraged to call or meet with the Foundation before submitting any grant request to address any ideas, questions or concerns they may have regarding the grantmaking process and mission-fit nature of their proposed grant request.

Rather than provide a strict definition of mission fit, DCF abides by a wide definition of activities that organizations can engage in to empower people to become self-sufficient. However, to help potential grantees understand this wide definition, the following are sample grants that DCF believes well represent the Foundation's mission:

Program Support
The Networks 4 Success Program of Towards Employment has been funded by DCF since its inception in 2005. This program is a four week workshop specifically designed to help individuals with a criminal background obtain full-time permanent employment and remain employed. The program consists of a four-week job readiness workshop with an emphasis on life management, workplace skills and job search skills training. Legal services related to an individual’s ability to get or keep a job are also provided. The program culminates with a job placement and follow-up support. This program clearly empowers individuals to obtain economic self-sufficiency.

General Operating Support
DCF has provided general operating support to New Life Community since 1998. New Life Community is a transitional housing program that empowers people in homeless or jobless families to become independent, financially stable, and in permanent housing, with the head-of-household holding a full-time job with benefits. New Life accomplishes this through a menu of programs and services that move individuals on the continuum from dependence to independence. As such, it is considered a model mission fit and eligible for general operating support.

Capital Support
DCF provided capital support to Volunteers of America for the renovation of the Veterans Resource Center. This Center houses two programs - the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program and a Transitional Housing Program. The Reintegration program combines training and supportive services to help homeless veterans achieve self-sufficiency by securing training and maintaining viable employment. The transitional housing program for homeless veterans works with them to achieve permanent housing, employment or other source of income, and sobriety. Since the building being renovated houses programs that empower people to self-sufficiency, capital support was justified.