Middletown Credit Union Foundation Opens Nominations For 2026 Nonprofit Giveaway

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Ellafi Kind, the charitable arm of Ellafi Federal Credit Union, is accepting nominations for its 2026 Local Nonprofit Giveaway, a program that will award $500 donations to five nonprofit organizations serving Middlesex, New Haven or Hartford counties.

According to the announcement, nominations are open now through June 18, 2026, and winners will be selected each Friday throughout July. All winners will be notified by July 31, 2026.

Eligible organizations must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving one or more of the three counties named in the program announcement. The giveaway is driven by member nominations, and Ellafi members are encouraged to nominate nonprofits that have made an impact in their communities or align with Ellafi Kind's mission and focus areas. Nominations can be submitted online through the Ellafi Kind Nonprofit Giveaway Nomination Form, according to the announcement.

Ellafi Kind said its mission centers on three areas: supporting young girls through financial education and opportunity, helping individuals and families access safe and stable housing, and assisting women transitioning out of domestic violence situations through financial stability support. The organization also said it welcomes nominations for other local nonprofits making a difference in Connecticut communities, even if they do not directly match those focus areas.

"Ellafi Kind was created to support organizations that are often doing extraordinary work quietly and consistently within our communities," said Kristen Jensen, the VP of community and business relationships at Ellafi and Secretary on the Ellafi Kind Board of Directors. "This giveaway is an opportunity to recognize and invest in nonprofits that are helping individuals and families build stronger, more stable futures."

The announcement points to the kinds of needs local nonprofits are addressing across the region, including food insecurity, recovery challenges, housing instability and life transitions. It states that nonprofits throughout Middlesex, New Haven and Hartford counties help people facing those hardships every day.

Last year's inaugural giveaway recipients were Food Pantry of North Branford, TriCircle, Unashamed, Inc., Caritas Immigration Legal Services and Women in Transition Program. According to the announcement, those groups were recognized for work tied to food access, addiction recovery support, mentorship for foster youth and young adults, immigration legal services, and support for women navigating recovery, education and major life transitions.