$1.99 Million to Eastern Connecticut Nonprofits
NEW LONDON, CT – The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut has issued its latest round of charitable grants made throughout the eastern Connecticut region totaling $1,989,319. These latest grants are made possible by the Foundation’s generous donors throughout the region, and bring its year-to-date charitable community investments to $3.7 million. The grants are made possible through 144 funds created by donors, including $630,607 from donor advised funds who chose to partner on this year’s grants. The awards include $277,000 in inaugural grants made possible by the Janvrin Fund. Mary Janvrin and Natalie Janvrin Wiggins shared a life-long love of ornithology and nature, leaving a tremendous legacy fund to support bird and animal welfare, and the preservation of the natural environment.
The grants were issued in alignment with the Foundation’s four priorities of empowering youth, promoting basic needs and rights, preserving the environment, and advancing animal welfare. As a result, people in Eastern Connecticut will have access to food and safe housing; hundreds of local students will have valuable educational experiences in science, the natural environment, and the arts; open space and waterways will be preserved and protected; and wild and domestic animals will receive the care they need.
This year marks the Foundation’s 35th year of partnering with generous donors and nonprofit organizations to have a lasting, positive impact on people and places in eastern Connecticut communities. The Community Foundation provides a way for people to give to meet community needs such as: mentoring programs to promote a bright future for youth, homelessness diversion to build stability for people, environmental education to help create a new generation of stewards for our planet, and emergency vet care and spay/neuter for pets and strays to keep them or place them in “forever” homes.
“We are so thankful for our growing family of donors who care deeply about the well-being of our community. It is because of their generosity that we are able to promote bold leadership to address the needs in our region and partner with nonprofit organizations to have a lasting, positive impact in our communities,” Foundation President and CEO Maryam Elahi said. “As we proudly celebrate 35 years of serving the communities in eastern Connecticut, we do so knowing that there is much more to do. We look forward to continuing to lead together to deliver on our vision of a healthy, thriving, sustainable eastern Connecticut.”
Examples of grants include:
- Sustainable CT - $50,000: To support eastern Connecticut towns in conservation planning with an equity and social justice lens
- Sankofa Education and Leadership - $2,500: For Norwich high school youth to participate in the Dr. Grace Sawyer Jones Debate Program
- Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra - $16,000: For music education and opportunities for students to experience a live symphony orchestra performance
- Covenant Soup Kitchen - $8,250: To provide nutritious food to those in need in the greater Windham community who are struggling to make ends meet
- Groton Animal Foundation - $12,500: For Groton Animals Matter, medical support for cats and dogs
Please visit our website for a complete list of grantees.
About the Community Foundation
Serving 42 towns and comprised of 503 charitable funds, the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut puts philanthropy into action to address the needs, rights and interests of the region. The Foundation stewards net assets of more than $83 million and has awarded more than $51.5 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofits and students since its founding in 1983. To learn more, visit cfect.org.
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Contact:
Michelle L. Puhlick, DLP
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
860-442-3572
michelle@cfect.org
Website: www.cfect.org