About these grants

• These grants reflect one of our Grantmaking Priorities, which is to Advance Animal Welfare
• Through the issuance of these grants, we strive to ensure that our region provides for the adequate protection, care and humane treatment of our animals and wildlife.
• These animal welfare grants are funded through the Peter Grayson Letz Fund, the Jacqueline & Marc Chadourne Fund, and the Steven M. Lewis Best Friends Survival Fund for Animals & the Environment, each of which serves the residents and animals of New London County; as well as the Josephine & Gabriel Sacco Fund for Animals, which looks after animals in the town of Groton.

2024

Our Grants Committee awarded a total of $118,500 in grants in 2024. Grantees

2023

Our Grants Committee awarded a total of $106,000 in grants in 2023. Grantees

The Boys to Men Fund supports Eastern Connecticut non-profit organizations who assist young men and boys to lead more fulfilling, productive, and healthy lives.

This cycle is by invitation only.

2023

Our Grants Committee awarded a total of $55,000 in grants in 2023. Grantees

About these grants

• These grants reflect one of our Grantmaking Priorities, which is to Preserve the Environment
• Through the issuance of these grants, we strive to foster a greater community-wide understanding of – and promote activities that improve – the relationship between the health of our environment and the health and well-being of our residents.
• Our environmental grants are funded through the Peter Grayson Letz Fund for Animals & the Environment, which is intended to promote environmental education and conservation in New London County, and the Mary Janvrin & Natalie Janvrin Wiggins Fund for Birds, Other Animals & Nature which emphasizes the preservation of the natural environment and habitat for birds and other animals.

2024

Our Grants Committee awarded a total of $822,225 in grants in 2024. Grantees

2023

Our Grants Committee awarded a total of $641,337 in grants in 2023. Grantees

About these grants

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 people of color in Eastern Connecticut. A volunteer grant review committee was composed of representatives who work closely with our diverse communities in Eastern Connecticut and made recommendations for grants from this Fund.

For 2023 and 2024, we did not have a separate cycle for racial justice but integrated this equity lens in each of our Regional Impact and Environmental cycles. Programs that promote racial equity, contribute to movement building, and seek to change inequitable systems through advocacy are a priority.

We are currently working to build the Fund to the $1-million-dollar level in 2024 so that the Fund for Racial Justice will have a permanent grants cycle starting in 2025!

2022

Our Grants Committee awarded a total of $205,640 in grants in 2022. Grantees

About these grants

The Everett L. and Irene L. Herden Fund supports organizations and programs that provide social services for and improve the well-being of children, families and other residents of Colchester and East Haddam, including direct assistance, case management, advocacy, crisis intervention, and information/referral services to individuals and families in need of temporary assistance with housing, food, and other basic necessities.

2023

Our Grants Committee awarded a total of $54,000 in grants in 2023. Grantees

About these grants

Norwich Youth Grants support youth development programs and services for economically and socially disadvantaged Norwich youth, to help fill the gap in services left by the closing of the YMCA of Southeastern CT in Norwich. This grant opportunity aligns with our Empower Youth and Promote Basic Needs & Rights strategic priorities. These grants are funded mainly through the generous legacy gifts of Grace & Lewis Sears and Jeannette Frisbie, with the help of other Norwich-based funds and donor advisors, including the John E. and Elizabeth M. Martin Fund and the Hargus Family Fund.

2024

Our Grants Committee awarded a total of $220,500 in grants in 2024. Grantees

2023

Our Grants Committee awarded a total of $119,411 in grants in 2023. Grantees

About these grants

The Community Foundation is a partner with the State of Connecticut Social Equity Council (SEC) working on a reinvestment strategy to benefit urban areas of Eastern Connecticut. The goal is to reinvest state cannabis revenues back into communities negatively impacted by the war on drugs.

Funding will benefit Disproportionately Impacted Areas (DIA) of the Eastern Connecticut region. DIAs in Eastern Connecticut are located in New London, Norwich and Willimantic/Windham.

Reentry/Reintegration Programs

Programs that support formerly incarcerated individuals and their families including fatherhood/parenthood/grandparents’ initiatives; civil legal aid; justice involved youth; expungement/criminal record erasure; homelessness; family stability.

Youth Education, Recreation, and Arts

Enrichment programs for young people and their families that assist in preparing the future workforce; STEM/STEAM; financial literacy; promoting physical and mental health wellness (get outside, get off the games); sports; mentoring; youth and parent leadership and empowerment; creative cultural programs (including performing arts, music, dance, instruments).

2023

Our Grants Committee awarded a total of $900,000 in grants in 2023. Grantees

About these grants

The Southeast General Grants are designed to benefit the residents of East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Salem, Stonington and Waterford. Grants generally support programs directed toward two of our community impact priority areas: Empower Youth and Promote Basic Needs & Rights

2024

Our Grants Committee awarded a total of $1,075,000 in grants in 2024. Grantees

2023

Our Grants Committee awarded a total of $1,181,181 in grants in 2023. Grantees

About these grants

The Community Foundation is deeply committed to funding systems change initiatives that will work toward ending child poverty in Eastern Connecticut. The Foundation led in establishing the “End Child Poverty Now” campaign. This collaborative of 50+ organization envisions a thriving and economically robust Connecticut, where no child experiences the debilitating effects of poverty. The collaborative believes that every child deserves access to basic necessities, quality education, and a nurturing environment that fosters their physical, emotional, and intellectual growth. The advocacy partners engage with lawmakers and policy influencers to promote and enact policies that address the root causes of child poverty, including income inequality, access to healthcare, safe and affordable homes, and quality education.

This cycle is by invitation only.

2024

Our Grants Committee awarded a total of $305,765 in grants in 2024. Grantees

About these grants

• These grants support youth empowerment and basic needs & rights, including the general welfare of low-income residents of the town of Windham through the Willimantic Welfare Bureau.
• These grants reflect two of our Grantmaking Priorities: Youth Empowerment and Promote Basic Needs & Rights

2024

Our Grants Committee awarded a total of $35,900 in grants in 2024. Grantees

2023

Our Grants Committee awarded a total of $49,025 in grants in 2023. Grantees

About these grants

• Through these grants, we strive to empower women of all ages in Eastern Connecticut lead more positive, healthy, productive lives.
• These grants are funded through the contributions of many generous donors.

2023

Northeast: Awarded a total of $25,464 in grants in 2023. Grantees

Norwich: Awarded a total of $23,000 in grants in 2023. Grantees

Southeast: Awarded a total of $204,247 in grants in 2023. Grantees

Windham: Awarded a total of $61,808 in grants in 2023. Grantees