Published in The Bulletin on May 23, 2018
By Stephanie Menders smenders@norwichbulletin.com

Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut announced this week nearly $2 million in grants to support dozens of regional organizations’ programming that aligns with the non-profit’s four priorities of empowering youth, promoting basic needs and rights, preserving the environment and advancing animal welfare.

Among the grants announced this week are $50,000 to Sustainable CT to support the region’s towns in conservation planning with an equity and social justice lens, $2,500 for Norwich high school youth to participate in the Dr. Grace Swayer Jones Debate Program, $8,250 for the Covenant Soup Kitchen, $12,500 to the Groton Animal Foundation and $16,000 to the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra. Another $10,000 grant was given to the Norwich Recreation Department to support their 2018 summer camp program, $8,000 to Madonna Place, Inc., $10,000 to Norwich Public Schools for their Extended Learning Summer Program, $10,000 to Norwich Youth and Family Services for a six-week summer program for vulnerable youth, $10,000 to Safe Futures and dozens of others.

In the past year, the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut has donated $3.7 million to local groups. The grants are made possible through 144 funds set up by donors, the foundation said in a release.