At the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, community is at the center of everything we do.

Through grantmaking, scholarships, convenings, and advocacy, we connect people to the resources they need to support their families, pursue their dreams, and build stronger communities.

Together, we are working toward a healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable Eastern Connecticut—where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

LET’S MAKE GOOD HAPPEN together.

END CHILD POVERTY NOW

We bring people together to work toward a healthy, thriving, sustainable Eastern Connecticut.

We are dedicated to the care of our COMMUNITY.

Since 1983,  we’ve been combining philanthropy with innovative action to address the needs, challenges, rights, and interests of our community, while fulfilling the passions of our donors.

Our Donors have a lasting impact on EASTERN CONNECTICUT and beyond.

Visionary donors entrust us with transformative gifts that expand our ability to act boldly—connecting environment, education, equity, and community well-being—so every generation can live with dignity and opportunity.

In 2014 and 2017, two landmark bequests—from Peter Grayson Letz and from Mary Janvrin and Natalie Janvrin Wiggins—transformed our capacity to invest in the future of Eastern Connecticut. These gifts, totaling more than $18 million, were designed to support animal welfare, environmental protection, and community resilience.

Their legacy helped redefine what it means to care for our environment—not just protecting wildlife and ecosystems, but promoting environmental equity: ensuring that all communities, especially those most vulnerable, benefit from clean air, healthy land, and climate resilience.

Since then, we’ve granted over $6.1 million to support conservation, watershed health, climate justice, and humane animal care—while also adopting a socially responsible investment policy that aligns our endowment with our values.

From local land trusts to youth-led climate action, we continue to honor their vision through bold, equity-centered environmental leadership.

OUR STORY  |  DONOR STORIES  |  RECENT GRANTS

Our Mission

Collaborating with partners to put philanthropy into action to address the needs, rights and interests of our community in Eastern Connecticut.

WE SERVE 42 TOWNS AND CITIES in New London, Windham, and Tolland Counties.

WE LEAD CHANGE in our region—and beyond—through grantmaking, convenings, and advocacy.

Equity is at the center of What We Do.

OUR WORK FOCUSES ON SIX PRIORITY AREAS:

1.
Early Childhood Care and Education

2.
Youth Development and Empowerment

3.
Access to Affordable, Safe, and Inclusive Housing

4.
Access to High-Quality and Affordable Health Care

5.
Women’s and Girls’ Empowerment

6.
Environmental Resilience

PARTNER WITH US.

CELEBRATING
A CARING
COMMUNITY

“The last few years have been remarkable in demonstrating your deep commitment to equity in our community.”