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 in order for your application to be considered. Given the current challenges of the pandemic, we strive to be flexible and responsive to support the important work of our nonprofits.

General Eligibility Criteria

Helpful tips when applying

About Our Regional Impact Grants

2022 applications are now closed (except for Ossen Fund for the Arts).

Our regional grant opportunities are based on donor intent and link with our strategic priorities. Each is focused on a particular geographic area.

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 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.

The 2023 applications will be online early November 2022.

About Environmental and Animal Welfare Grants

2022 applications are now closed.

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.

Online Grants Center:

Our Online Grants Center allows you to set up an account to access available grant applications and start, save, edit and submit applications as well as grant reports.

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.

The 2023 applications will be online early November 2022.

About Our Women & Girls Fund Grants

2021 applications are now closed.

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 equal opportunities for women and girls throughout Eastern Connecticut, using a lens of equity and social justice in our grants, advocacy and action.

Our grantmaking priorities reflect the challenges identified in The Status of Women and Girls in Eastern Connecticut:

  • 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 nearly $6.9 million and have awarded more than $2.41 million in grants to over 531 programs.

We encourage all applicants to contact the Community Foundation with questions or to discuss your ideas prior to starting an application. New organizations are required to contact the program office before beginning an application.

For more information about each fund, and to apply for a Women & Girls Fund grant:


Fund for Racial Justice Grants

2022 applications are now closed.

The Community Foundation launched the Fund for Racial Justice in 2021 with the purpose of advancing racial equity, supporting organizing and advocacy, and allocating flexible resources to organizations and movements, especially those led by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) in Eastern Connecticut. A volunteer committee composed of representatives who work closely with our diverse communities in Eastern Connecticut will lead in determining the process and recommendation of grants from this Fund.

The Community Foundation will seek to fund grassroots organizations, existing nonprofits, and other movement builders throughout Eastern Connecticut whose vision is to increase education and awareness of racial inequities and work towards solutions that build a greater understanding and move the needle towards racial equity and justice.

MORE INFORMATION AND APPLY

Recent Recipients

Read more about Recent Grantees

Mini-Grants

For more information on civic engagement mini-grants, contact program director Jennifer O'Brien at JennOB@cfect.org.

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 at the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut 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

Click here for examples of the range of civic engagement activities from PACE (Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement).

Note: 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.