Liberty Bank Foundation holding grant completion

Voting starts today

Nine nonprofit agencies are competing for three $20,000 grants in the Liberty Bank Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Competition.

The institutions are competing in three categories: affordable housing, education and basic needs. Voting — each person can vote once a day — is open between Tuesday and Sept. 15 at libertybankfoundation.org. Videos by all 82 original contestants are on the website.

“It’s not very often that we have the pleasure of making grants of this size,” said Liberty Bank President Chandler J. Howard, in a press release. “Given the milestone in our history, we wanted to do something special for the communities we serve.”

In the affordable-housing category, the finalists are Columbus House of New Haven, which operates a shelter and oversees supportive housing for those who are homeless or at risk; Capital for Change, which oversees investment funds in New Haven, Bridgeport and Hartford; and Middlesex Habitat for Humanity of CT’s ReStore, a retail homeimprovement store that accepts donations and sells at reduced prices, based in Cromwell.

Chosen in the education category are Ädelbrook Inc. of Cromwell, which serves students with autism disorder and other developmental disabilities in a Christian environment; New Haven Works, which is a public-private partnership that connects potential workers to employers; and the Windham Regional Community Council, whose Community Academy helps Windham youth reach economic success.

In the basic needs category, the finalists are the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, based in West Haven, which assists veterans suffering from homelessness and mental illness with housing, legal assistance and other services; Valley United Way, which assists food-insecure residents of Derby and Ansonia; and Windham Region No Freeze, which offers shelter to the region’s homeless persons.

“Our goal with this competition was not only to fund some great ideas, but also to call attention to the wonderful work our nonprofit partners are doing in our communities,” said Sue Murphy, Liberty Bank Foundation executive director, in the release.

Speaking of the 82 entries, all of whose videos are on the website, she said, “Every one of these agencies deserves support. They’re all addressing critical needs for our most vulnerable neighbors.”

The three grants will be awarded at the foundation’s 20th anniversary celebration on Oct. 3.