Nonprofits
The Foundation encourages you to discuss your proposal concept with program staff before starting an application. If your organization is new to us, an initial conversation is required for your application to be considered.
General Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, schools, municipal or governmental agencies, or partner with a nonprofit fiscal agent. We do not make grants to individuals or for-profit endeavors.
- Applicants must serve one or more of the 42 communities in Eastern Connecticut.
- We do not provide funding for capital or endowment campaigns, litigation costs, religious programming, deficit funding or debt retirement. We do not typically make grants for special events.
- Applicants may not discriminate against any person or group of persons on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, marital status or any other characteristic protected under federal, state and/or local laws.
- Final or interim grant reports must be received before a new grant award may be made.
Helpful tips when applying
- Our Online Grants Center allows you to set up an account to access available grant applications and to start, save, edit and submit applications as well as grant reports. We suggest using web browser Google Chrome 14 or higher, Firefox 9 or higher, or Safari 4 or higher to access the Online Grants Center. We do not recommend using Internet Explorer.
- We encourage all applicants to contact program staff with questions or to discuss your ideas prior to starting an application. New applicant organizations are required to contact us first in order for their application to be considered.
- We encourage you to read our Grant FAQs & Tips before beginning the application process.
About Our Regional Impact Grants
2024 applications for Norwich Youth, Southeast General, and Willimantic Basic Needs are now closed. 2025 applications will be online by November 1, 2024.
Our regional grant opportunities are based on donor intent and link with our strategic priorities. Each is focused on a particular geographic area.
Programs that promote racial equity, contribute to movement building, and seek to change inequitable systems through advocacy will be a priority.
- Norwich Youth: Deadline of 5pm on Friday, January 12, 2024.
- Southeast General: Deadline of 5pm on Friday, January 12, 2024.
- Willimantic Basic Needs: Deadline of 5pm on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.
- Preston Community Fund: This cycle is currently closed.
About Environmental and Animal Welfare Grants
2024 applications are currently closed. 2025 applications will be online by November 1, 2024.
The Peter Grayson Letz Fund for Animals and the Environment was established in 2014 to benefit environmental education and conservation, as well as domestic animals and wildlife, in New London County. The Mary Janvrin & Natalie Janvrin Wiggins Fund for Birds, Other Animals & Nature was established in 2017 and emphasizes the preservation of the natural environment and habitat for birds and other animals.
Programs that promote environmental justice, contribute to movement building, and seek to change inequitable systems through advocacy will be a priority.
- Environmental: Deadline of 5pm on Friday, January 12, 2024.
- Animal Welfare: By Invitation Only
About Our Women & Girls Fund Grants
2023 applications are currently closed. 2024 applications will be online by October 2024.
Generous gifts and bequests from caring donors have created four permanent endowment funds serving the Northeast, Norwich, Southeast and Windham areas. Together, the four funds are advancing opportunities for women and girls throughout Eastern Connecticut.
Grantmaking priorities:
- Empower women and girls to make positive decisions – Examples include mentoring, leadership, career exposure, character development.
- Promote healthy relationships and prevent domestic violence – Examples include teen dating violence prevention education, domestic violence shelters and transitional housing, victim advocacy.
- Advance family economic security – Examples include training for jobs and career advancement, programs to overcome barriers to financial security, and other supports for low-income women.
- Support access to women’s health, mental health and reproductive health services – Examples include counseling, health education, health care access.
- Support public policy, advocacy and leadership to promote equity – Examples include statewide policy groups, training programs for grass-roots organizations. Please call the program staff to discuss your ideas.
- Help New London women, ages 62 and older, with limited incomes to remain in their homes (Southeast only) – Examples include meal delivery, nursing services.
Collectively, the four Women & Girls Funds have an endowment of $5.2 million and have awarded more than $3 million in grants to over 600 programs.
For more information about each fund, and to apply for a Women & Girls Fund grant, click here.
About Our Civic Engagement Mini-Grants
Alexis de Tocqueville said in Democracy in America that “the health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.”
We believe that an informed and engaged citizenry is an essential ingredient of a healthy democracy. Through our initiatives, we hope to create an inclusive table and invite all voices to participate, especially those from communities of color and our youth. Our civic engagement grants are intended to support initiatives that share these inclusive values and will further the depth of understanding and likelihood of participation in civic life in the community.
Our commitment to civic engagement seeks to impact the lives and well-being of residents throughout the region. Mini-grants of up to $1,000 are available to support efforts to build and strengthen our communities towards a just and civil society. Contact program director Jennifer O'Brien at JennOB@cfect.org for eligibility.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT GRANT APPLICATION
Explore examples of the range of civic engagement activities from PACE (Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement).
Note: Civic Engagement Grants may not be requested for event sponsorship, staff training or general program support. Additionally, they cannot be used to endorse or denounce a political party or candidate, or to withhold or refuse Information or other assistance based on support for or opposition to particular candidates, parties, or policy/platform positions.
Recent Recipients
Read more about Recent Grantees
If you are new to the Foundation or are applying for a new program
Contact Jennifer O'Brien at 860.442.3572 to introduce your organization and discuss your intended grant application.