Civic Engagement Mini Grants (Connecticut)

Civic Engagement Mini Grants (Connecticut) is sponsored by Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut. Mini-grants are available to build and strengthen civic engagement across Eastern Connecticut. These grants are intended to support inclusive civic activities and increase participation, especially from communities of color and youth.

Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut | Inside Philanthropy OVERVIEW: This community funder supports 42 communities in the eastern portion of Connecticut. It supports local efforts for social justice, community development, women, youth, animals and more.

PROFILE: Established in 1983, the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut (CFEC) is based in New London, Connecticut, and serves “42 communities in New London, Windham and Tolland Counties. ” The foundation’s mission involves “[c]ollaborating with partners to put philanthropy into action to address the needs, rights and interests of our community in Eastern Connecticut.

” CFEC manages more than 600 funds and makes $8 million in grants and scholarships each year. CFEC’s strategic grantmaking priorities include programs that empower youth, promote basic needs and rights and preserve the environment and advance animal welfare. Grant opportunities stem from the foundation’s Regional Impact, Environmental/Animal, Women and Girls and Civic Engagement Mini Grants programs.

Grants for Racial Justice, Community Development and Youth CFEC’s Regional Impact grant programs are “based on donor intent” but reflect the foundation’s racial and social justice priorities. Giving is organized by geographic area and emphasizes movement building and advocacy to “change inequitable systems.

” Norwich Youth Grants provide vital support to “youth development programs and services for economically and socially disadvantaged Norwich youth” in wake of “the closing of the YMCA of Southeastern CT in 2009. ” Grants prioritize programs for early childhood education, youth mentoring, wellness, academic and arts enrichments, college and career readiness, and “youth-led social change” programs.

Grants are awarded in amounts of up to $15,000. Application materials are linked to the program page in November with a due date that falls in early January, and decisions announced in April. Contact Deb Battit at deb@cfect.

org or 860-442-3572 for additional information. Southeast General Grants are designated for programs operating in the municipalities of East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Salem, Stonington and Waterford. Grants prioritize programs that “empower youth” and “promote basic needs and rights” of residents.

Grants of up to $30,000 may be requested, but most grants are awarded in amounts of $15,000 or less. Application materials are linked to the program page in November with a due date that falls in early January, and decisions announced in April. For additionala information contact Jennifer O’Brien at JennOB@cfect.

org or 860-442-3572. The Willimantic Basic Needs Fund supports “programs and services designed to promote self-sufficiency for residents of the Town of Windham through education and employment. ” This program’s main priorities are food, housing and economic security.

Grants are awarded in amounts of up to $8,000. Application materials are linked to the program page in November with a due date that falls in early January, and decisions announced in April. Contact program officer Deb Battit at deb@cfect.

org or 860-442-3572 for additional information about this opportunity. The Preston Community Fund awards grants to support “the arts, cultural and social needs of the residents and organizations of the Town of Preston, Connecticut. ” Information about grant sizes is not available.

Application due dates for this program have fallen in late-September. Grants for Environment and Animals CFEC offers two separate opportunities for grants related to the environment and animal welfare . The Peter Grayson Letz Fund for Animals and the Environment supports “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 supports “the preservation of the natural environment and habitat for birds and other animals. ” Both programs prioritize “[p]rograms that promote racial equity, contribute to movement building, and seek to change inequitable systems through advocacy.

” The foundation encourages “all applicants to contact program staff with questions or to discuss your ideas prior to starting an application. ” The program director is Jennifer O’Brien, who can be reched at JennOB@cfect. org or 860-442-3572.

Applications are typically due in January. Grants for Women and Girls CFEC manages four separate funds that address issues identified in the foundation’s Report on the Status of Women and Girls in Eastern Connecticut, including goals for empowerment, equity, wellness and safety, maternal and reproductive care, and housing.

The Northeast Area Women and Girls Fund supports organizations serving women and girls in the Connecticut communities of Brooklyn, Canterbury, Eastford, Hampton, Killingly, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Sterling, Thompson and Woodstock. Grants are awarded in amounts of up to $5,000, and applications are due early in October each year.

The Norwich Area Women and Girls Fund serves Norwich, Bozrah, Colchester, Franklin, Griswold, Lebanon, Lisbon, Preston, Sprague and Voluntown. This fund prioritizes “programs that demonstrate collaboration among service providers. ” Applications are accepted by inviation only.

The Southeast Area Women and Girls Fund serves the communities of East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Salem, Stonington and Waterford. Grants range from $2,000 to $10,000. This program accepts applications with an early October due date, but encourages grantseekers to contact Jennifer O’Brien prior to submitting applications at at JennOB@cfect.

org or 860-442-3572. The Windham Area Womens and Girs Fund supports organizations serving women and girls in Ashford, Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Mansfield, Scotland, Stafford, Union, Willington and Windham/Willimantic. Grant requests for amounts of up to $10,000 are accepted with a due date in early October.

Before applying, however, grantseekers should contact Deb Battit at deb@cfect. org or 860-442-3572. Grants for Civic Engagement and Democracy This funder also awards mini grants of up to $1,000 to community-based “efforts to build and strengthen our communities towards a just and civil society” and to “further the depth of understanding and likelihood of participation in civic life in the community.

” Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, and a brief application form is linked to the foundation’s Apply for a Grant page. Submit questions about this opportunity to Jennifer O’Brien at JennOB@cfect. org or 860-442-3572.

While CFEC makes grants of up to $100,000, its competitive grants appear to be awarded in amounts of $30,000, as prescribed by each funding program. Discretionary serve organizations and initiatives serving 42 eastern Connecticut communities located in New London, Windham and Tolland Counties. This funder tends to support small- to medium-sized organizations with strong reputations and impact on the communities they serve.

Most programs accept applications via the foundation’s application portal . In most cases, however, the foundation advises grantseekers to contact relevant staff before submitting materials. See a list of recent grantees organized year and fund here .

This funder also awards many scholarships to students from cities and towns in its operating area. This funder provides general contact information as well as email addresses for each of its staff members . Enable JavaScript to continue This site uses JavaScript to verify your account, display articles, and provide other features.

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