Downtown Update
November 2021
New Grant Helps Communities Tell the Full History
The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Telling the Full History grant program provides $25,000 and $50,000 grants for humanities-based work to interpret and preserve historic places of importance to underrepresented communities including, but not limited to, women, immigrants, Asian Americans, Black Americans, Latinx Americans, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and LGBTQ communities. Applications are due December 15. This program made possible through federal funds, and, as such, is subject to federal rules for award selection and reporting. 

CT Office of the Arts Offering General Operating Grant for Theaters

The Connecticut Office of the Arts will provide up to $3 million in general operating support grants to support Connecticut's theaters and performing groups as they pursue their mission. Grants are for 501(c)(3) non-profit, Connecticut arts organizations that provide arts activities, programs and performances for the public. An organization is still eligible if rehearsals and/or performances were suspended due to the COVID pandemic. Applications are due by December 1, 2021 at 11:59pm. Learn more about the program here


Liberty Bank Hosting Reimagining Communities Symposium:
Affecting change to influence investment

Changing zoning laws and re-thinking land use guidelines can be catalytic to fostering quality affordable housing development. Improving opportunities to grow generational wealth for disenfranchised communities often means revising policies and laws which impede housing development in urban markets.

Join Liberty Bank for this virtual event to hear a from keynote Sara Bronin and a distinguished panel as they discuss practical changes that can immediately spur development in our cities. Event takes place December 7th. Register here by December 2nd. 

Desegregate CT Announces
2022 Legislative Agenda

Desegregate CT met with stakeholders, consulted policy experts, and gathered feedback from their coalition to create a clear and focused three-point policy agenda: 
 
 
Their fall event series includes webinars on transit-oriented development, minimum lot sizes, and advocacy to support this agenda.

Eversource's Ana Alfaro Recognized with Mural

Congratulations to Ana Alfaro from Eversource, a longtime friend of CMSC, who’s been recognized for her years of volunteer service by being chosen one of nine community volunteers honored by the Southside Institutions Neighborhood Association in Hartford with their murals painted on local buildings in the Frog Hollow section of Hartford. City residents voted for the nine men and women whose murals were unveiled in early November.
 
Ana has served with numerous organizations in the city and greater Hartford including Catholic Charities, Forge City Works, Broad Park Development Corp., the Immigrant Heritage Hall of Fame, and the Hartford Public Library. She’s also well known as the producer and host of El Show de Analeh, a weekly program on Univision Network in CT, western Massachusetts and UniMas. 
Sponsorship is key to CMSC's ability to provide services to our members, and education & technical assistance to CT's downtowns. We proudly thank our many generous sponsors below.
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