Nonprofit Events Calendar 2026
Planning an event? This calendar highlights nonprofit events across Eastern Connecticut to help organizations coordinate dates, avoid scheduling conflicts, and stay connected. For a broader listing of regional business and community events, visit the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut’s website.
| DATE | ORGANIZATION | EVENT DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 3–Nov. 1 | Florence Griswold Museum | Wee Faerie Village: Gemstone Station, Tuesdays–Sundays, 10AM–5PM, Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme. Explore a whimsical Wee Faerie Village where everything is made from precious gifts of the earth, including twinkling gemstones, sparkling rare minerals and shimmering metals. |
| Oct. 8 | Public Library of New London | Grant Readiness Workshop, 1–2:30PM, online. Small and emerging nonprofits in New London are invited to an interactive workshop with Michelle Strawder of Renaissance Consulting to assess their readiness to pursue grant funding. Participants will explore what funders look for beyond the proposal—including program impact, governance, financial management, data and evaluation, and fundraising capacity—and identify organizational strengths and gaps. Attendees will leave with a Grant Readiness Scorecard and practical action plan for improving their competitiveness for future funding opportunities. Ideal for executive directors, board members, and project directors/managers. Click here to register. |
| Oct. 8 | We Live Here/New London & Connecticut Tenants Union | Tenants Know Your Power, Part I, 4:15–6:45PM, Connecticut College, New London. Learn about the laws and policies shaping housing conditions for Connecticut renters, the tenant movement in Connecticut, and Just Cause protections. First of a two-part series; participants may attend one or both sessions. Food will be served. Learn more and register. |
| Oct. 8, Nov. 10 & Dec. 8 | Pro Bono Partnership | Connecticut Human Resources Boot Camp, 12–1:30PM, online. A three-part webinar series providing nonprofit leaders and HR professionals with practical guidance on key employment law issues. Sessions cover managing employee leaves and accommodations (Oct. 8), wage and hour issues (Nov. 10), and performance management and employee accountability (Dec. 8). Learn more and register. |
| Oct. 8 | United Way of Southeastern Connecticut | United for Gemma Benefit Gala, 5:30–8:30PM, Mashantucket Pequot Museum. Benefits the Gemma Legacy Fund and the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center’s work addressing food insecurity in New London County. |
| Oct. 10 | Riley Farm Rescue | Run for Riley. Riley Farm Rescue’s charity team will participate in the Hartford Marathon and 5K, raising funds for food, shelter and medical care for rescued animals. |
| Oct. 10 | ProHomesCT, Center for Housing Opportunity Eastern CT & We Live Here: New London | Transit-Oriented Communities Walk Audit, 10AM. Join a walk audit in the New London Union Station area and see firsthand where pro-homes zoning reform could make a positive difference in the neighborhood. |
| Oct. 13 | Center for Housing Opportunity Eastern Connecticut | 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Panel Discussion with Congressman Courtney, 4–6PM, New London Community Recreation Center. Join a conversation about the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and what federal housing policy could mean for Eastern Connecticut. Learn more and register. |
| Oct. 13 | We Live Here/New London | Housing + Eminent Domain: New Research on Kelo v. New London, 5:15–7PM, Oliva Hall, Cummings Art Center, Connecticut College, New London. Explore new research and perspectives on the landmark Kelo v. New London eminent domain case and its lasting implications for housing and community development. Learn more. |
| Oct. 14 | We Live Here/New London & Connecticut Tenants Union | Tenants Know Your Power, Part II, 1:15–4PM, Bill Hall, Connecticut College, New London. Explore the power behind local housing policies, including how decisions are made, who the key players are and pathways for building tenant power from individual apartment buildings to neighborhoods and the city as a whole. Learn more. |
| Oct. 16 | New London Counseling Center | Denim & Diamonds Gala, 6–10PM, The Barn of Nottingham. Fundraising gala supporting accessible mental-health care in the community. |
| Oct. 18 | CLiCK, Inc. | Harvest Farm-to-Table Celebration Fundraiser, 3–6PM, Little Dipper Farm, 499 Wolf Den Road, Brooklyn. Enjoy a farm-to-table meal featuring locally sourced ingredients, wine tastings, live music and a silent auction. Proceeds support CLiCK’s work connecting local farmers, food producers and small businesses. Tickets are $75. |
| Oct. 20 | Eastern Connecticut State University | Open Classroom Housing Justice Series: Housing Justice & Civil Rights, 11AM–noon, Webb 315, Eastern Connecticut State University. A discussion exploring the intersection of housing justice and civil rights. Learn more and register. |
| Oct. 21 | Connecticut Council for Philanthropy | Affordable Housing 101, 9:30AM–3:30PM, Hartford. A Housing & Community Development Leadership Institute session covering the affordable-housing development process, key players and challenges. |
| Oct. 22 | We Live Here/New London | Housing + Displacement: Mapping Lost New London, 5:15–7PM, Shain Library, Connecticut College, New London. A discussion examining displacement and the changing landscape of New London through the lens of local history and mapping. Learn more. |
| Oct. 25 | Hale YMCA (Putnam) | Swim with Pumpkins!, Sunday, October 25, 12–3:50 PM. Swim and splash in a warm-water pool filled with inflatable pumpkins! This free community event features four swim sessions: 12–12:50 PM, 1–1:50 PM, 2–2:50 PM, and 3–3:50 PM. Registration for a swim time is required. For questions or registration information, contact christie.bates@hymca.org. |
| Oct. 25 | Safe Futures | Serving Up Hope, 10AM–2PM, Ocean Community YMCA, Mystic. Calling all women pickleball players! This friendly competition, open to players of all skill levels, is being hosted by a volunteer group to raise funds for Safe Futures. The tournament includes doubles round robin play, snacks, giveaways, and a basket raffle. Click here to register. |
| Oct. 27 | Pro Bono Partnership | Risk Management and Insurance Basics for Nonprofits, 12–1:30PM, online. Learn how to identify and manage common organizational risks, understand available insurance policies and coverage, and take steps to reduce claims and protect your nonprofit. $40. Learn more and register. |
| Oct. 29 | We Live Here/New London | Housing + Wages of the American Dream: Debt and Inequality in Suburban America, 5:15–7PM, Shain Library, Connecticut College, New London. A discussion examining debt, inequality and the economic realities behind the American dream of suburban homeownership. Learn more. |
| Nov. 5 | We Live Here/New London & Southeastern CT Community Land Trust | Talk on Tap, Part I: Understanding Community Land Trusts & the Fight for Community Ownership, 5:30–7PM, Tox Brewing Company, 123 Bank Street, New London. Learn about community land trusts and how community ownership models can help create and preserve affordable housing. Learn more. |
| Nov. 9 | Eastern Connecticut State University | Open Classroom Housing Justice Series: Housing Justice & Urban Planning, 4–5PM, Webb 317, Eastern Connecticut State University. A discussion exploring the relationship between urban planning, housing policy and housing justice. Learn more and register. |
| Nov. 10 | People for Planet and Democracy | Find Your People: A Community Join Fair, 5:15–8:30 PM, Garde Arts Center, New London. Join People for Planet and Democracy and community partners for an evening of civic connection and community building. The event begins with a screening of the acclaimed documentary Join or Die, followed by a community fair where attendees can meet local organizations, discover volunteer opportunities, and find meaningful ways to get involved. Community groups and sponsors are also invited to participate. Presented in partnership with the Garde Arts Center, Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, and the Eastern CT, Mystic, Westerly, and Norwich Chambers of Commerce. Learn more and get involved. |
| Nov. 12 | We Live Here/New London & Southeastern CT Community Land Trust | Talk on Tap, Part II: Alternative Economies & Community Control, 5:30–7PM, Tox Brewing Company, 123 Bank Street, New London. Continue the conversation about alternative economic models, community ownership and strategies for increasing community control of land and housing. Learn more. |
| Nov. 14 | We Live Here/New London | Housing + New Research Directions: The 47th Annual New England Society of Architectural Historians Student Symposium, 10AM–3:30PM, Shain Library, Connecticut College, New London. A student symposium highlighting emerging research and new perspectives in architectural history and the built environment. Learn more. |
| Nov. 19 | Women’s Business Development Council | WBDC Orientation for Farming and Agricultural Businesses, noon–1PM, online. A free orientation for Connecticut farmers and agricultural business owners covering WBDC’s business education, one-on-one advising, funding opportunities and resources for starting and growing agricultural businesses. Click here to register. |
| Dec. 1 | We Live Here/New London & The Day | The State of Housing Today, 5:15–7PM, Ernst Room, Blaustein Humanities Center, Connecticut College, New London. A community conversation examining the current state of housing and the challenges and opportunities facing the region. Learn more. |
Nonprofit Events Calendar 2027
| DATE | ORGANIZATION | EVENT DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| June 5, 2027 | La Grua Center |
La Grua Center Summer Soirée, 6-8:30PM, 32 Water Street, Stonington. La Grua Center’s annual fundraising cocktail party, bringing the community together in support of the Center’s year-round arts and cultural programming.
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