Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $8,000,000
• Total Assets: $121,799,726
• Decision Time: Variable by program (typically announced by June)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $50,000
• Geographic Focus: 42 towns in Eastern Connecticut (New London, Windham, and six Tolland County towns)
• Founded: 1983

Contact Details

Address: 68 Federal Street, New London, CT 06320

Phone: 860-442-3572 | Toll-free: 877-442-3572

Fax: 860-442-0584

Website: https://cfect.org

Email: janet@cfect.org

Grants Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cfect

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays

Key Program Officers:

• Deb Battit (deb@cfect.org) - Willimantic Basic Needs Fund, Norwich Youth Grants, Windham Area Women and Girls Fund
• Jennifer O'Brien (JennOB@cfect.org) - Environmental Grants, Southeast Area Women and Girls Fund

Overview

Founded in 1983, the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut (CFECT) has grown to manage more than 600 funds with total assets of $121.8 million. The foundation awards approximately $8 million annually in grants and scholarships across 42 towns in New London, Windham, and six Tolland County communities. Over its 40+ year history, CFECT has awarded more than $94 million to local nonprofit agencies and student scholarship recipients. The foundation's mission is to collaborate with partners to put philanthropy into action to address the needs, rights and interests of communities in Eastern Connecticut. Under President & CEO Maryam Elahi's leadership, CFECT has strengthened its focus on equity, with strategic priorities centered on early childhood care and education, youth development and empowerment, affordable housing, accessible healthcare, women and girls empowerment, and environmental resilience. The foundation earned a 4/4 Star rating on Charity Navigator.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Southeast General Grants: $5,000 - $30,000

• Address youth empowerment and/or basic needs and rights of residents in 11 southeastern towns (East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Salem, Stonington, and Waterford)
• Multi-year funding available for up to three years
• Application deadlines in January

Norwich Youth Grants: $5,000 - $15,000

• Support youth development programs for economically and socially disadvantaged Norwich youth
• Application deadlines in January

Environmental/Animal Welfare Grants: $5,000 - $50,000

• Support environmental education, conservation, domestic animals, and wildlife in New London County
• Multi-year funding available for up to three years
• Application deadlines in January

Women & Girls Funds: $2,000 - $10,000 (varies by region)

• Four separate geographic funds serving different areas of Eastern Connecticut:
  • Northeast Area Women & Girls Fund (up to $5,000)
  • Windham Area Women & Girls Fund (up to $10,000)
  • Norwich Area Women & Girls Fund (invitation only)
  • Southeast Area Women & Girls Fund ($2,000 - $10,000)
• Application deadlines typically in early October

Civic Engagement Mini-Grants: Up to $1,000

• Support initiatives that build and strengthen communities toward a just and civil society
• Applications accepted on an ongoing, rolling basis
• Cannot be used for event sponsorship, staff training, general program support, or political endorsements

Systems Change Grants: $100,000+

• Inaugural program launched in 2024 addressing root causes of child poverty and housing insecurity
• Two-year grant awards
• Application process varies

Priority Areas

The foundation's six strategic focus areas are:

• Early Childhood Care and Education: Supporting quality programs and access
• Youth Development and Empowerment: Programs that help young people thrive and reach full potential
• Affordable Housing: Addressing systemic housing challenges and pathways to homeownership
• Health Care Access: Mental health integration with overall health equity
• Women and Girls Empowerment: Gender-focused initiatives across the region
• Environmental Resilience: Climate action, environmental justice, and ensuring vulnerable communities benefit from clean air, healthy land, and climate resilience

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals or for-profit endeavors
• Capital or endowment campaigns
• Litigation costs
• Religious programming
• Deficit funding or debt retirement
• Special events (typically)
• Civic engagement grants cannot support event sponsorship, staff training, general program support, or political party/candidate endorsements
• Organizations that discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, or other protected characteristics
• Projects outside the 42-town service area

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Maryam Elahi (ex officio board member)

The foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees with both current and past members representing community leaders across Eastern Connecticut. Carol Williams, a Retired Associate Dean at Eastern CT State University, joined the board in 2021.

Key Leadership Quotes:

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

On housing: "Housing is the first stepping stone," emphasizing its importance for children's success. "Simply put, we are stronger together," regarding partnerships to address housing challenges.

On children and youth: "The Community Foundation is deeply committed to ensuring that every child can thrive and reach their full potential."

At the foundation's 40th anniversary: "Tonight is a celebration of lifting communities when we share values and care about our neighbors."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the foundation's Online Grants Center at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cfect

IMPORTANT: The foundation encourages discussion of proposal concepts with program staff before starting an application. If your organization is new to CFECT, an initial conversation is required for your application to be considered.

Contact the appropriate program officer based on the grant program you're interested in (see Contact Details section above).

Application Requirements

• Applicants must be 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, schools, municipal or governmental agencies, or partner with a nonprofit fiscal agent
• Religious organizations eligible if activities are non-discriminatory, non-sectarian, and benefit the larger community
• Must serve one or more of the 42 communities in Eastern Connecticut
• Final or interim grant reports must be received before a new grant award may be made (for previous grantees)

Decision Timeline

• Regional Grant Programs (Southeast General, Norwich Youth, Willimantic Basic Needs, Environmental): Applications typically due in January; awards announced by summer
• Women & Girls Funds: Applications typically due in early October; awards announced later in fall
• Civic Engagement Mini-Grants: Rolling basis
• Notification: Foundation's goal is to notify all applicants of their award status by June (for January deadline programs)

Success Rates

Specific success rate data not publicly available. In 2024, the foundation awarded:

• $822,225 in Regional Impact Grants
• $220,500 in Norwich Youth Grants
• $35,900 in Northeast Area Women & Girls Grants
• Various other program grants totaling approximately $8 million across all programs

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may reapply in subsequent grant cycles. Multi-year funding is available through Southeast General and Environmental/Animal Welfare grant categories for up to three years, which can provide sustained support without annual reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Pre-Application Engagement: The foundation strongly encourages—and for new organizations, requires—conversation with program staff before submitting. This suggests relationship-building and alignment-checking are critical to success.

Focus on Equity: Under CEO Maryam Elahi's leadership, CFECT has strengthened its equity focus. Applications should demonstrate how they advance equity and serve vulnerable or underserved communities.

Systems Change Thinking: The foundation values approaches that address root causes rather than just symptoms. As they define it: "Systems change addresses the root causes of social problems, which are often intractable and embedded in networks of cause and effect."

Collaboration: Multiple leadership quotes emphasize partnership and collaboration. Applications that demonstrate collaboration among service providers are prioritized, particularly for the Norwich Area Women & Girls Fund.

Youth Voice and Leadership: For youth-focused programs, incorporate youth perspectives and leadership opportunities. The foundation supports "youth-led climate action" and programs that empower rather than just serve young people.

Geographic Specificity: Clearly identify which of the 42 towns will benefit and how the program addresses needs specific to those communities.

Health Equity Integration: When addressing health issues, integrate mental health with overall access to care rather than treating mental health as separate.

Environmental Justice: For environmental grants, demonstrate how the work ensures vulnerable communities benefit from environmental improvements and climate resilience.

Complete Grant Reports: Submit required interim and final reports on time—this is a prerequisite for receiving new grants.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Call first: Initial conversation with program staff is required for new organizations and strongly encouraged for all applicants—use this opportunity to test alignment and get guidance
• Think big picture: The foundation values systems change approaches that address root causes, particularly around child poverty, housing insecurity, and environmental justice
• Emphasize equity: Demonstrate how your program advances equity and serves economically and socially disadvantaged populations
• Show collaboration: Partnerships and collaborative approaches are valued, particularly programs that bring multiple organizations together
• Geographic fit matters: Ensure your program clearly serves one or more of the 42 towns in the foundation's service area (New London, Windham, and six Tolland County towns)
• Consider multi-year funding: Southeast General and Environmental grants offer up to three years of support—a significant opportunity for sustained impact
• Start small if needed: The $1,000 civic engagement mini-grants on rolling basis offer an accessible entry point for smaller organizations or pilot initiatives

References

• Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut official website: https://cfect.org (Accessed January 2026)
• CFECT "Apply for a Grant" page: https://cfect.org/nonprofits/apply-for-a-grant (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/61080097 (Accessed January 2026)
• Charity Navigator Rating: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/061080097 (Accessed January 2026)
• Inside Philanthropy - Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/connecticut-grants/community-foundation-of-eastern-connecticut (Accessed January 2026)
• CFECT news release: "Community Foundation of Eastern CT Awards Inaugural Systems Change Grants to Address Child Poverty in Eastern Connecticut" https://cfect.org/news/community-foundation-of-eastern-ct-awards-inaugural-systems-change-grants-to-address-child-poverty-in-eastern-connecticut (Accessed January 2026)
• Lyme Line: "Community Foundation Grants of Almost $2.6 Million Address Inequities in Eastern CT" July 2024: https://lymeline.com/2024/07/community-foundation-grants-of-almost-2-6-million-address-inequities-in-eastern-ct-grantmaking-in-lyme-old-lyme-totals-over-67k/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory profile: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=PEQU001 (Accessed January 2026)