About Us

Community Connect is an innovative and free platform designed to bridge gaps among Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), academic researchers, funders, and other stakeholders by making it easier to connect and form equitable, impactful partnerships. Rooted in the principles of collaboration and community empowerment—with a strong emphasis on ensuring community partners are equal partners—Community Connect serves as a centralized hub where users can share resources, discover funding opportunities, expand networks, and co-develop projects addressing pressing public health and social challenges.

We know that many community organizations face challenges finding, applying for, and maintaining grant funding. That’s why Community Connect was created—to make the process easier and more accessible, keeping the community at the heart of every collaboration. We listened to the experiences of community partners and researchers to understand what helps partnerships grow and thrive. Using what we learned, we’re designing tools to help organizations become “grant ready,” build strong collaborations, and expand their capacity for lasting impact.

Through this platform, CBOs, researchers, and funders can maximize time, resources, and expertise. By integrating research, technology, and community insight, Community Connect transforms how partnerships are formed—empowering communities to drive meaningful change through evidence-based collaboration.