The Waterbury Times|. Fact Check Friday | May 29, 2026
What’s being claimed online
Social media posts circulating in local political discussions have suggested that Grace Baptist Church in Waterbury received government funding tied to U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes.
Some versions of the claim imply direct political influence or that federal money was specifically directed to the church through congressional action.
A review of public federal records, grant databases, and reporting does not support those claims.
What public records actually show
1. No federal earmark or direct grant to the church through Congress
A search of federal funding databases and congressional community project funding records does not show Grace Baptist Church listed as a direct recipient of a federal earmark or congressionally directed grant.
There is also no publicly documented award showing the church received targeted federal funding through Rep. Hayes’ office.
2. The church has received standard federal relief funding
Grace Baptist Church did receive federal support through broadly available pandemic relief programs, including a Paycheck Protection Program loan that was later forgiven.
This type of funding was distributed nationwide to qualifying nonprofits and small organizations and was not assigned through congressional discretion.
3. The church participates in city and community programs
Public reporting shows Grace Baptist Church has been involved in local outreach programs in Waterbury, including community health and social service initiatives during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
These programs are typically funded through city agencies, state partnerships, or nonprofit grant systems rather than direct congressional allocations.
4. Rep. Jahana Hayes’ funding activity is broader, not church-specific
Federal funding secured through Rep. Hayes’ office has gone toward citywide and districtwide initiatives in Waterbury, including public health, education, and community programs.
However, those awards are directed to municipal governments and regional organizations rather than individual churches as named recipients.
Where the confusion comes from
The claims appear to combine three separate categories of legitimate activity:
- Federal pandemic relief programs that reached thousands of nonprofits
- Citywide Waterbury federal grants distributed through public agencies
- Community engagement events involving local institutions, including churches
When combined on social media, these separate categories are often presented as a single coordinated funding relationship, which is not supported by documentation.
Bottom line
Based on available public records:
There is no verified evidence that Grace Baptist Church received a federal grant or earmark specifically directed by Rep. Jahana Hayes.
What is documented is participation in broader community programs and receipt of standard federal relief funding available to qualifying organizations.
TWT- Fact Checks: Separating Truth from Rhetoric for Local Readers
Why this matters
In an election environment, especially in a competitive congressional district like Connecticut’s 5th, claims about funding and influence can spread quickly online.
But the public record shows a more routine pattern: general federal relief programs and citywide funding initiatives, not targeted political allocation to a specific church.
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