CT Culture Lab

CT Culture Lab for Capacity and Leadership Development

Connecticut Humanities is pleased to launch a pilot two-year cohort focused on capacity building for Greater Hartford arts, history, and cultural organizations. Read below to learn about how your organization can participate in multiple learning intensives, monthly coaching calls, and group networking opportunities. Participating organizations will also receive capacity-building stipends to support reaching their operational goals.  

CT Culture Lab supports Connecticut organizations that deploy arts, history, and other cultural activities for public benefit. This capacity-building cohort focuses on professional development and opportunities to learn from one another, all in order to better serve their communities. The goal is for organizations to grow more resilient by improving sustainability, community participation, and service to their audiences. While the cohort program will focus on capacity building themes, it will be adaptive to participants’ needs and the changing funding landscape. 

Participants will have access to stipends to implement capacity-building work throughout the cohort based on needs assessed and discussed. Capacity-building efforts may and are encouraged to be collaborative. Funds will be distributed annually following the completion of the first quarter’s trainings and goal setting.  

 

Eligibility

  • Be incorporated in the state of Connecticut as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors that meets regularly OR be a city or municipality in the state of Connecticut OR be a Connecticut-based federally or State recognized tribe 
  • Provide arts, culture, and history programming and/or services to the public  

 

*Fiscal sponsors are permitted for organizations who do not have their own 501c3 status. Capacity-building funds will be paid to the fiscal sponsors, who will be responsible for the management of grant funds. Fiscal sponsors must be located in CT. 

The following are not eligible for funding: 

  • For-profit organizations 
  • Individuals 
  • Agencies of the state of Connecticut, including state universities, state parks and historic sites 
  • Organizations not in compliance with terms and conditions of previous Connecticut Humanities grants 
  • Organizations not in compliance with terms and conditions of previous HFPG grants 

For more information about eligibility, view the Guidelines below.

Program Guidelines

Please read the CT Culture Lab Program Guidelines before applying as they outline eligibility requirements, exclusions for use of funds, and more.

Priorities for Participant Selection

CT Humanities (CTH) gives priority to participating organizations that include a desire to offer public arts & humanities focus and content; explore topics and stories in an inclusive, diverse, and equitable manner; and do one or more of the following: 

  • Build sustainable organizational structures and contribute to long term cultural vibrancy in CT. 
  • Demonstrate an interest in ingenuity and innovation through creative solutions.  
  • Foster collaboration among organizations, groups, and communities.  

Please note that priority will be given to nonprofit or fiscally sponsored organizations whose operating budgets are under $1 million and who did not receive 2025 Arts and Culture Appreciation Grants from HFPG. If an organization’s operating budget exceeds $1 million or they received an Appreciation Grant, they may apply and explain why they are a good fit for the program within the application. 

If your capacity growth goals involve interpreting Indigenous history or cultures, please also note CT Humanities’ Indigenous Values Statement and accompanying resources here.

FAQs & Resources for Applicants

Does the same person need to participate the whole time throughout the two year cohort?

We do ask for a lead participant to be named in the application, however if staff turnover or calendar conflicts become a challenge contact grants staff for support.

Are matching funds required?

Unlike our usual grant lines this is a pilot program with accompanying stipends. Matching funds are not required. Please see guidelines for spending exclusions

When are stipends paid to participating organizations?

Stipends will be paid following the completion of the requirements in the first trimester including attendance to orientation, intensive 1, montly coaching sessions for goal setting, and organizational assessment. Stipends are paid via Bill.com

Important Dates

Application Opens Nov 2025

Info Session Dec 11, 2025 (virtual) RSVP here

Draft Review Deadline (optional): January 26, 2026

Application Deadline: Sunday February 1, 2026 by 11:59pm

Award Notification: mid March 2026

KickOff Meeting: March 27, 2026 at 2-4pm (virtual)

April 24, 2026 Year 1, Intensive 1   

August 21, 2026 Year 1, Intensive 2   

December 18, 2026 Year 1, Intensive 3   

April 16, 2027 Year 2, Intensive 4   

August 20, 2027 Year 2, Intensive 5   

December 17, 2027 Year 2, Intensive 6 

*For the best cohort experience please hold all dates listed. 

 

*Please note that staff will be unavailable November 26-28 OR December 22, 2025-January 2, 2026 as the grants department is closed for the holidays. 

How to Apply

We are eager to help you submit a strong application! Before applying, organizations must contact CTH Grants staff (grants@cthumanities.org) to discuss your needs & eligibility. This may be attendance at one of the info sessions offered by CTH or an individual meeting with CTH grants officers. If you would like a draft review, you must save your draft in the CTH Grant Portal and email staff to request a draft review no later than Jan 26. 

Online Application Portal

For a PDF preview of the application, click here.

 

Required Attachments  

Cohort program applications must include: 

  • The applicant organization’s current board list 
  • The applicant organization’s current year operating budget 

 If the applicant is a fiscal sponsor, the required attachments must reflect both the fiscal sponsor and themselves. 

 

Please note the following mistakes that will weaken an application: 

  • Applications submitted without prior communication with CTH staff about your interest 
  • Applications submitted from an ineligible organization (see Section 1.4) 
  • Applications from organizations unrelated to the cultural sector 
  • Incomplete or late applications 

 

Please review your application carefully before submitting it. No edits may be made to an application once the grant deadline has passed unless clarification is specifically requested from CTH staff.  

If an applicant experiences technical difficulties when submitting their application, the applicant must reach out to CTH Grants Staff either by phone or email (grants@cthumanities.org) within 12 hours of the grant deadline.  

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