Civic Engagement Mini Grants

Civic Engagement Mini Grants is sponsored by Community Foundation for Eastern Connecticut. These mini-grants support efforts to build and strengthen communities towards a just and civil society.

Grantmaking Lorena Iturrino 2026-08-26T14:11:19-04:00 The grants we make annually through a competitive process reflect our vision of a healthy, thriving, sustainable Eastern Connecticut with greater equity for all. We are dedicated to integrating the values of equity and social justice into our grantmaking and community initiatives.

Our board and staff have undertaken a process to listen and learn, and to incorporate what we learn, as well as constituents’ voices, into our grantmaking priorities: Basic Needs & Rights, Youth Empowerment, Environmental Conservation & Education, and Animal Welfare.

We prioritize funding for programs that seek to eliminate racial and economic disparities in our region and that engage the voices of constituents of color and other end-users of services in program planning. Examples include youth-led social change and environmental justice programs. Deadline: October 2, 2026 The Women & Girls Funds have awarded $3.

6 million in the equity and well-being of the region’s women and girls. Together, the Women & Girls Funds are advancing opportunities for women and girls throughout Eastern Connecticut. Providing enrichment opportunities specifically for girls.

Examples: mentoring, leadership, career exposure Promoting healthy relationships and prevent domestic violence. Examples: teen dating violence prevention education, domestic violence shelters and transitional housing, victim advocacy Advancing family economic security.

Examples: training for jobs and career advancement, programs to overcome barriers to financial security, other supports for low-income women Supporting access to women’s health, mental health and reproductive health services. Examples: counseling, health education, health care access Supporting public policy, advocacy and leadership to promote equity.

Examples: statewide policy groups, training programs for grassroots organizations Helping New London women, age 62 and older, with limited incomes to remain in their homes. Examples: meal delivery, nursing services Deadline: January 15, 2027 Our community impact grant opportunities are based on donor intent and link with our strategic priorities.

Preference is given to programs that: serve lower-income communities seek to eliminate racism and societal inequities include specific, measurable outcomes incorporate the voices of clients, consumers and/or youth in planning are collaborative in nature Eligible applicants may submit grant requests of $5,000 to $30,000. Most awards are in the $10,000 – $15,000 range.

support public policy, advocacy and leadership development to promote equity Animal Welfare (Invitation Only) Eligible applicants may submit grant requests of $5,000 to $35,000.

Most awards are in the $5,000 – $10,000 range provide support of veterinary care for domestic animals, including spay and neuter services, for low-income families and abandoned pets *Excluding youth programs Eligible applicants may submit grant requests of $5,000 to $30,000. Most awards are in the $10,000 – $15,000 range. utilize arts and cultural experiences to educate and improve quality of life.

Eligible applicants may submit grant requests of $5,000 to $30,000. Most awards are in the $10,000 – $15,000 range. promote individual and family economic security promote housing & decrease homelessness increase food security and access to nutritious food improve access to healthcare and human services *Excluding environmental youth programs Eligible applicants may submit grant requests of $5,000 to $30,000.

Most awards are in the $10,000 – $15,000 range.

enhance quality early childhood education and intervention services support mentoring programs that encourage relationships between youth and caring adults support access to programs that promote mental and physical health as well as those that address disconnected youth enhance educational opportunities in science, literacy, arts and culture, especially those that use experiential learning support post-secondary education access and job readiness support youth-led social change and elevate the voices of youth in program planning Eligible applicants may submit grant requests of $10,000 to $50,000.

preserve and protect environmentally significant lands, waterways and wildlife habitats – for the benefit not only of the ecosystem, but for the health, livelihood and enjoyment of residents engage youth, especially youth of color, in environmental education to help develop the next generation of stewards of the environment focus on environmental justice through grants to grassroots and community-based nonprofits that address historic disinvestment.

Civic Engagement Mini Grants Applications accepted on a rolling basis. 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.

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 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.

Explore examples of the range of civic engagement activities from PACE (Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement) . Note: Civic Engagement 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. 250th Anniversary of the United States of America Grants This grant cycle is closed.

250th Anniversary of the USA grants were open to public libraries, schools, civic groups and youth-serving organizations in our 42-town region. Projects primarily focused on local school-aged youth to increase their understanding of democracy. Here’s an overview of our 2026 250th Anniversary of the USA Grantees We recommend that grant seekers contact us before beginning an application.

First-time applicants are required to have an initial conversation with CFECT before applying. Contact grants@cfect. org or 860-442-3572 with questions or to discuss a proposal.

Have questions about grants? Visit our FAQs page. If you are new to the Foundation or are applying for a new program Contact Jennifer O’Brien at 860.

442. 3572 or email Jennifer to introduce your organization and discuss your intended grant application. Stay up-to-date on the steady progress we make in our towns and across the state to better the lives of our neighbors.