How to Apply for a Community Foundation Grant

The Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut awards grants to federally recognized 501(c)(3) organizations and to other charitable, educational and civic organizations serving the towns of New London, Groton, Waterford, Ledyard, Stonington, North Stonington, Salem, Montville, East Lyme, Old Lyme and Lyme. Grants are made in the area of arts and culture, community development, education, environment, and health and human services. Additionally, the Foundation has launched special initiatives to help meet pressing needs in our community.  Grant application guidelines are available for each of the grant programs listed below.

The process for applying for a grant at the Foundation should begin with a phone call to Jennifer O’Brien, program director, at 860-442-3572, to determine eligibility and appropriateness of your proposal idea.

General Grants – November 15 deadline
Competitive grants are made to a variety of community organizations in the range of $2,000 to $20,000. High priorities include programs that:
- Strengthen families;
- Improve access to area resources among under-served populations;
- Enable residents to participate in the cultural life of the community;
- Demonstrate collaborative efforts and inclusive practices;
- Reinforce best practices or show innovative approaches;
- Add to the general well-being of our region.
Grant decisions are made after careful review by an appointed Grants Committee and approval of the Board of Trustees.

The Women & Girls Fund –August 15 deadline
The Women & Girls Fund was established to harness the vitality of women living and working in our region for the purpose of uplifting other women and girls who face challenges in their lives. Grants typically range from $2,000 to $10,000. The Fund is currently focusing on four program areas:
- Preventing teen pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases;
- Preventing domestic violence and supporting its victims;
- Aiding elderly, low-income New London women to remain in their homes;
- Helping women to enter or re-enter the workforce.
Grant decisions are made in October. More information

Let’s Read   –  March 15 deadline
The Foundation has launched this initiative to improve literacy skills among children in our region. Grant awards are made to libraries, schools and non-profit organizations in the range of $2,000 to $10,000. Preference is given to proposals that:
- Make reading cool! Generate the motivation to read among our youth;
- Foster life-long reading skills as a path to success in life;
- Address family literacy and create nurturing relationships between kids and their parents or mentors around reading;
- Target disadvantaged or under-served audiences.
Grant decisions are made in April. More information