The grants we make annually through a competitive process reflect our vision of a healthy, thriving, sustainable Eastern Connecticut with greater equity for all.
We are dedicated to integrating the values of equity and social justice into our grantmaking and community initiatives. Our board and staff have undertaken a process to listen and learn, and to incorporate what we learn, as well as constituents’ voices, into our grantmaking priorities: Basic Needs & Rights, Youth Empowerment, Environmental Conservation & Education, and Animal Welfare.
We prioritize funding for programs that seek to eliminate racial and economic disparities in our region and that engage the voices of constituents of color and other end-users of services in program planning. Examples include youth-led social change and environmental justice programs.
250th Anniversary of the United States of America Grants
Deadline: March 18, 2026
The Community Foundation announces an expansion of its civic engagement grants program to include a grants initiative focused on building democracy as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
Who is eligible: Any public library, school, civic group or youth serving organization in our 42-town region.
What will be funded: Projects for local school-aged youth to increase their understanding of democracy.
When: Applications will be accepted until March 18, 2026. Projects should be completed by the end of 2026.
Grant amounts:
- Typically, $500 to $2,000.
- Organizations seeking between $2,000 and $5,000 should schedule a call with Deb Battit, program officer. Email Deb
Examples of potential grants:
- Projects that highlight untold stories of marginalized people from the past or present such as women, indigenous people, people of color, or young people who have played a role in building, protecting or strengthening democracy.
- Using the arts, theater, music and dance, to connect past (including pre-revolution), present and future to make connections to building a strong civic society.
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Regional Impact Grants
Deadline: January 16, 2026
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 Grants support youth development programs and services for economically and socially disadvantaged Norwich youth.
Norwich Youth grants are made possible by the generous legacy gifts of Grace & Lewis Sears and Jeannette Frisbie, as well as the John. E. and Elizabeth M. Martin Fund, the Hargus Family Fund and several other funds.
Eligible applicants may submit grant requests of up to $15,000. Few grants are made at the maximum amount.
Priority is given to programs that empower youth:
- enhance quality early childhood education and intervention services;
- support mentoring programs that encourage relationships between youth and caring adults;
- support access to programs that promote mental and physical health as well as those that address disconnected youth;
- enhance educational opportunities in science, literacy, arts and culture, especially for those that use experiential learning;
- support post-secondary education access and job readiness;
- support youth-led social change and elevate the voices of youth in program planning.
Preference is given to programs that:
- are offered by Norwich-based organizations;
- seek to eliminate racism and societal inequities;
- incorporate the voices of youth and their families in planning;
- are collaborative in nature and are rooted in evidence-based, solution-oriented approaches;
- include specific and measurable outcomes that affect positive change over the long term.
These grants are designed through donor intent to benefit the residents of East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Salem, Stonington and Waterford.
Eligible applicants may submit grant requests of $5,000 to $30,000. Most awards are in the $10,000 – $15,000 range.
Grants support our community impact priority areas:
Programs that empower youth:
- enhance quality early childhood education and intervention services;
- support mentoring programs that encourage relationships between youth and caring adults;
- support access to programs that promote mental and physical health as well as those that address disconnected youth;
- enhance educational opportunities in science, literacy, arts and culture, especially those that use experiential learning;
- support post-secondary education access and job readiness;
- support youth-led social change and elevate the voices of youth in program planning.
Programs that promote basic needs and rights:
- promote individual and family economic security;
- increase food security and access to nutritious food;
- decrease homelessness through programs that promote diversion and intervention;
- improve access to healthcare and human services, especially in communities of color;
- promote healthy relationships and address domestic violence;
- utilize arts and cultural experiences to educate and improve overall quality of life.
Preference is given to programs that:
- are collaborative in nature;
- are regional in scope;
- promote systems change;
- are rooted in evidence-based, solution-oriented approaches;
- serve lower-income communities;
- seek to eliminate racism and societal inequities;
- incorporate the voices of clients, consumers and youth in planning;
- include specific, measurable outcomes; and
- affect positive change over the long term.
We will also consider:
- grants for existing programs, new initiatives or special projects;
- public policy and general operating grants;
- capacity-building grants (please call to discuss);
- a limited number of multiyear grants (please call to discuss in advance of submission).
We support programs and services designed to promote self-sufficiency for residents of the Town of Windham.
Eligible applicants may submit grant requests for up to $8,000. Few grants are made at the maximum amount.
Priority is given to programs that:
- promote individual and family economic security;
- increase food security and access to nutritious food;
- decrease homelessness through programs that promote diversion and intervention.
Preference is given to programs that:
- seek to eliminate racism and societal inequities;
- incorporate the voices of clients/consumers in planning;
- are rooted in evidence-based, solution-oriented approaches;
- include specific, measurable outcomes.
Environmental & Animal Welfare Grants
Deadline: January 16, 2026
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.
The health of the natural world and the health and well-being of our residents is interconnected. We will consider environmental grants that benefit any of the 42 towns in our region.
Eligible applicants may submit grant requests of $10,000-50,000.
Priority will be given to programs that:
- preserve and protect environmentally significant lands, waterways and wildlife habitats – for the benefit not only of the ecosystem, but for the health, livelihood and enjoyment of local residents;
- engage youth, especially youth of color, in environmental education to help develop the next generation of stewards of the environment; and
- focus on environmental justice: the fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens and meaningful participation of all communities in environmental decision-making.
Preference is given to programs that are:
- collaborative in nature;
- regional in scope;
- promote systems change;
- rooted in evidence-based, solution-oriented approaches;
- serve lower-income communities;
- seek to eliminate racism and societal inequities;
- incorporate the voices of clients, consumers and youth in planning;
- include specific, measurable outcomes; and
- affect positive change over the long term.
We will also consider:
- grants for existing programs, new initiatives or special projects;
- public policy and general operating grants;
- capacity-building grants (please call to discuss);
- a limited number of multiyear grants (please call to discuss in advance of submission).
By Invitation only
We will consider animal welfare grants that provides for the adequate protection, care and humane treatment of animals and wildlife in any of the 42 towns in our region.
Eligible applicants may submit grant requests of $5,000 to $35,000.
Priority will be given to programs that:
- provide support of veterinary care for domestic animals, including spay and neuter services, for low-income families and abandoned pets
Preference is given to programs that are:
- collaborative in nature;
- regional in scope;
- promote systems change;
- rooted in evidence-based, solution-oriented approaches;
- serve lower-income communities;
- serve at-risk animals;
- include specific, measurable outcomes; and
- affect positive change over the long term.
We will also consider:
- grants for existing programs, new initiatives or special projects;
- public policy and general operating grants;
- capacity-building grants (please call to discuss);
- a limited number of multiyear grants (please call to discuss in advance of submission).
Women & Girls Grants
Deadline: October 4, 2026
The Women & Girls Funds have awarded $3.6 million in the equity and well-being of the region’s women and girls. Together, the Women & Girls 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.
- Help New London women, ages 62 and older, with limited incomes to remain in their homes (Southeast only) – Examples include meal delivery, nursing services.
Civic Engagement Mini Grants
Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
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.
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.
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.
We recommend that grant seekers contact us before beginning an application.
First-time applicants are required to have an initial conversation with CFECT before applying.
Contact grants@cfect.org or 860-442-3572 with questions or to discuss a proposal.
