Sustainable CT proudly announces the five-year anniversary of the Community Match Fund, a pioneering initiative that has empowered communities across Connecticut to take meaningful action on sustainability projects that matter most to them. Since its inception in 2019, the Community Match Fund has become a driving force in fostering local resilience, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.
A Record of Community-Led Success
Over the past five years, the Community Match Fund (CMF) has supported more than 340 projects that have attracted over 22,370 individual donors. The program’s unique model, which combines small-dollar donations through its crowdfunding partner, Patronicity, with a dollar-for-dollar match from Sustainable CT, has leveraged over $2,236,000 in community investments, resulting in more than $4 million in total impact. This model has not only provided crucial funding but has also galvanized community members to actively participate in the design, implementation, and success of local projects.
“The success of the Community Match Fund is a testament to the power of community-led action,” said Inez Ortiz, the CMF’s program coordinator. “We are incredibly proud of the work that communities across the state have accomplished. These projects not only enhance the sustainability of our cities and towns, but also empower neighborhoods and bring people together around common goals.”
The Sustainable CT Community Match Fund is unique in its approach, putting decision-making power directly in the hands of local residents. Whether it’s transforming vacant lots into community gardens, installing solar panels on public buildings, or launching local recycling programs, these projects are driven by the needs and aspirations of the community members themselves.
Jessica Miller, executive director of the Ashford Housing Authority and project leader of the recently completed Pompey Hollow Senior Housing Native Garden project said, “We in the Ashford community have really enjoyed working with Sustainable CT and Patronicity. Creating our pollinator garden simply wouldn’t have been possible without the Community Match Fund program.”
The CMF is currently supporting composting and food scraps collection efforts in Branford, East Lyme, Manchester and Marlborough; arts programs in Litchfield, Hartford and West Haven; a Hartford cooperative economic conference; a Farmington solar installation; a botanical garden in Hamden; and a clean rivers initiative affecting eight Connecticut rivers.
A complete list of Community Match Fund projects is available at patronicity.com/sustainablect. Anyone in a Sustainable CT-registered town can propose a project that aligns with Sustainable CT’s actions at any time by contacting funding@sustainablect.org.
Looking Forward
As we celebrate this milestone, Sustainable CT is excited to continue supporting community-driven sustainability initiatives. The Community Match Fund will continue to evolve, incorporating feedback from participants and exploring new ways to support innovative ideas that contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future for all Connecticut residents.
“We are grateful to all the partners, donors, and, most importantly, the community members who have made this program a success,” said Jessica LeClair, executive director of Sustainable CT. “As we look to the next five years, we are committed to expanding our reach and impact, ensuring that every community in Connecticut has the opportunity to participate in building a sustainable future.”
Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund would not be possible without the generous support the Hampshire Foundation, the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, the Connecticut Green Bank, and Supporting Organizing Work CT.
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About Sustainable CT
Sustainable CT is a free, voluntary certification program that supports and recognizes thriving and resilient Connecticut municipalities. An independently funded, grassroots, municipal effort, the program provides a comprehensive menu of sustainability best practices, technical assistance, and funding to implement them, and recognition of town accomplishments through certification. Sustainable CT is designed to support all Connecticutmunicipalities, regardless of size, geography, or resources, and empowers municipalities to create high collective impact for current and future residents.
