Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $8 million
Total Assets: Over $120 million
Decision Time: Varies by program
Grant Range: $2,000 - $200,000 (most grants $5,000-$30,000)
Geographic Focus: 42 towns across New London, Windham, and Tolland Counties in Eastern Connecticut
Application Method: Mixed (rolling and fixed deadlines depending on program)

Contact Details

Address: 68 Federal Street, New London, CT 06320
Phone: 860-442-3572
Email: admin@cfect.org
Website: cfect.org
Grants Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cfect

Pre-Application Support: Jennifer O'Brien, Program Director
Email: JennOB@cfect.org | Phone: 860-442-3572

The foundation strongly encourages prospective applicants to contact program staff to discuss ideas prior to starting an application.

Overview

Founded to serve Eastern Connecticut, the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut (CFECT) manages over $120 million in assets across more than 600 funds. The foundation awards approximately $8 million annually in grants and scholarships to serve 42 communities across New London, Windham, and Tolland Counties. Under the leadership of President and CEO Maryam Elahi since 2013, CFECT has maintained a strong focus on equity, prioritizing programs that promote racial equity, contribute to movement building, and seek to change inequitable systems through advocacy. The foundation's vision is to create "a healthy, thriving, sustainable Eastern Connecticut with greater equity for all." CFECT has been recognized for its strategic approach to addressing root causes of inequality through both traditional grantmaking and innovative systems change initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Regional Impact Grants: $5,000 - $30,000
Support programs across six priority areas serving the region's diverse communities. Applications typically reviewed on fixed deadlines.

Systems Change Grants: $100,000 - $200,000 (multi-year)
Major investments addressing root causes of poverty, housing insecurity, and systemic inequities. Recently awarded over $1 million to housing and child poverty initiatives.

Southeast General Grants: $5,000 - $30,000
For programs operating in East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Salem, Stonington, and Waterford.

Environmental Grants: $10,000 - $50,000
Support environmental conservation, education, and climate justice initiatives. Recently awarded over $822,000 in environmental grants.

Animal Welfare Grants: $5,000 - $35,000
Support domestic animal welfare and wildlife conservation in New London County through the Peter Grayson Letz Fund for Animals and the Environment, and the Mary Janvrin & Natalie Janvrin Wiggins Fund.

Women and Girls Funds: $2,000 - $12,000
Four regional funds supporting women's and girls' empowerment, economic security, health access, and leadership development.

Norwich Youth Grants: $5,000 - $15,000
Support youth development programs and services for economically and socially disadvantaged Norwich youth.

Civic Engagement Mini Grants: Up to $1,000
Support community building efforts toward a just and civil society.

Priority Areas

Early Childhood Care and Education - Programs supporting young children's development and school readiness
Youth Development and Empowerment - STEM programs, college access, leadership development, afterschool enrichment
Access to Affordable, Safe, and Inclusive Housing - Homelessness prevention, affordable housing development, housing advocacy
Access to High-Quality and Affordable Health Care - Mental health services, reproductive healthcare, health equity initiatives
Women's and Girls' Empowerment - Economic security, healthy relationships, domestic violence prevention, leadership
Environmental Resilience - Conservation, green jobs training, environmental justice, youth engagement in environmental education

Cross-Cutting Priority: Programs that promote racial equity, contribute to movement building, and seek to change inequitable systems through advocacy receive priority consideration across all funding categories.

What They Don't Fund

Capital or endowment campaigns
Litigation costs
Religious programming
Deficit funding or debt retirement
Special events (generally not supported)

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO: Maryam Elahi
Maryam Elahi has led CFECT since 2013, bringing over 25 years of experience in international human rights leadership. She previously served as Director of the International Women's Program at the Open Society Institute. Elahi received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Eastern Connecticut State University (2021), the NAACP Norwich Branch President's Award (2021) for outstanding leadership in civil rights, and was recognized as a Global Impact Honoree by the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame (2015). She holds a B.A. from Williams College and a J.D. from Boston College Law School.

Program Director: Jennifer O'Brien
Jennifer O'Brien serves as the liaison to the nonprofit community, managing the distribution of more than $8 million in grants and scholarships annually. She oversees environmental, animal welfare, southeast general, women and girls, and civic engagement grant programs.

Key Leadership Perspectives

Maryam Elahi on funding priorities: "Our grant review teams of community members sought to emphasize initiatives that target underrepresented communities and incorporate a focus on equity in their work."

On health equity: "We've got to keep the issue of mental health integrated with overall access to health, so it's really about health equity."

On partnerships: "We are privileged to have strong partnerships with our donors and organizations dedicated to lifting and empowering those with the greatest needs."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the foundation's online grants portal at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cfect

Important First Steps:

New applicant organizations must contact CFECT before applying for their application to be considered
All applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Program Director Jennifer O'Brien (JennOB@cfect.org or 860-442-3572) to discuss ideas prior to starting an application
Applicants must serve one or more of the 42 communities in Eastern Connecticut
Many funds designate specific cities and towns, so verify geographic eligibility before applying

Application Requirements:

Organizations must be eligible nonprofits serving Eastern Connecticut
Final or interim grant reports from previous grants must be received before new grant awards may be made
Geographic alignment is critical - many funds serve specific municipalities within the region

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by grant program:

Regional Impact Grants: Fixed application deadlines with review cycles
Environmental and Animal Welfare Grants: Annual application cycles
Mini Grants: Rolling basis with quicker turnaround
Systems Change Grants: Invitation-only with extended review process for multi-year commitments

The foundation reviews applications through grant committees composed of community members.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the foundation awarded $8,017,737 in grants in 2023 across multiple programs, demonstrating substantial grantmaking capacity. Recent grant rounds included:

Environmental grants: $822,225 awarded
Systems Change Grants: $1,075,000 awarded
Regional Impact grants: $118,500 from one category, $220,500 from another

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly stated. Current grantees must submit final or interim reports before receiving new grants. Given the foundation's approachable culture and emphasis on relationship building, unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to contact program staff to discuss strengthening future applications.

Application Success Factors

CFECT-Specific Success Factors

Alignment with Strategic Priorities: The foundation explicitly prioritizes programs that "promote racial equity, contribute to movement building, and seek to change inequitable systems through advocacy." Applications should clearly articulate how they address root causes, not just symptoms, of community challenges.

Geographic Precision: Many CFECT funds designate specific cities and towns for funding. As the foundation advises: "Be sure you are in the right 'area' before submitting materials for review." Verify which municipalities your program serves and align with appropriate grant opportunities.

Organizational Profile: CFECT tends to support small- to medium-sized organizations with strong community reputations and demonstrated impact. Emphasize your organization's track record and community standing.

Focus on Underrepresented Communities: Grant review teams specifically seek initiatives that target underrepresented communities and incorporate equity. Applications should demonstrate how programs reach and empower those with the greatest needs.

Examples of Recently Funded Projects:

Access Community Action Agency: $200,000 over two years to re-imagine pathways to homeownership for families in Northeastern Connecticut
Audubon Connecticut: $80,000 for providing paid employment in environmental conservation for youth while enhancing habitats for threatened bird species
Partnership for Strong Communities: $105,765 over two years to engage youth and underserved families in housing needs analysis and advocacy
2-4-1 CARE: $10,000 for afterschool sports enrichment for K-5 students in Norwich
Connecticut Humane Society: $60,000 over two years for pet services
Mitchell College Healthcare Academy: $30,000 for workforce development

Language and Terminology: The foundation emphasizes "equity," "systems change," "movement building," and "advocacy." Strong applications demonstrate understanding of how programs contribute to long-term community transformation, not just immediate service delivery.

Leverage Foundation Support: CFECT shares strong proposals that align with donor interests with their donor base, potentially opening additional funding opportunities beyond competitive grants.

Pre-Application Engagement: The foundation's culture is highly relational. Taking advantage of the invitation to discuss applications with Jennifer O'Brien or other program staff before applying demonstrates seriousness and allows for strategic alignment.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Contact staff first: New applicants must reach out before applying, and all applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss ideas with Jennifer O'Brien (JennOB@cfect.org, 860-442-3572) before submitting
Equity is non-negotiable: Applications must demonstrate clear commitment to racial equity and serving underrepresented communities - this is emphasized repeatedly in the foundation's materials and decision-making
Geographic specificity matters: Verify your service area matches the fund's designated communities; many grants are restricted to specific municipalities within the 42-town region
Right-size your request: Most competitive grants fall between $5,000-$30,000; larger systems change grants ($100,000+) are typically by invitation
Systems change over services: Priority goes to programs addressing root causes and seeking to change inequitable systems through advocacy, not just providing services
Build the relationship: CFECT values ongoing partnerships with grantees and operates with a highly relational, approachable culture - invest in the relationship before and after funding
Small-to-medium organizations welcome: The foundation explicitly supports organizations with strong community reputations regardless of size, making it accessible to grassroots groups

References

Date accessed: December 16, 2025