The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc is a public charity based in New London, Connecticut. It makes grants and supports community initiatives across Eastern Connecticut, with an emphasis on equity and addressing regional needs.
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc at a glance
In short: The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc gave $6.8M across 223 grants in 2024 (avg $30K), mostly in Connecticut. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,798,313
- +10.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 223
- +22200.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $30,486
- -99.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,848
- Total assets
- $127,426,784
- +4.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (75% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation awards grants through competitive processes, volunteer committees, and board-approved donor-advised recommendations. Applicants should review the requirements for the specific opportunity. For the Preston Community Fund and Civic Engagement Mini-Grants, the program information encourages applicants to discuss their proposal with staff before beginning an application and requires new applicant organizations to contact the Foundation first. The Foundation does not award grants to individuals. School, religious-organization, and other eligibility restrictions are described in its grant FAQs.
- Review Cycle
- The Women & Girls grant deadline listed on the Foundation’s website is October 2, 2026. The Community Impact Grants deadline listed there is January 15, 2027.
- Deadline
- The Women & Girls grant deadline listed on the Foundation’s website is October 2, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 68 Federal Street, New London, CT 06320-6600
Phone: (860) 442-3572
Website: https://cfect.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
83 open opportunities from The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc
250th Anniversary of the United States of America Grant
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc
Amount
US $500 - US $2,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Albert "Buttsie" and Loretta Roberge Fund
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Albert B. Glassenberg Fund
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Tides Foundation ($398K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
227 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 186 grants of 227 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation serves 42 communities in New London, Windham, and Tolland Counties, an area of approximately 1,402 square miles and about 450,000 residents. In 2024, 75% of its reported grant dollars went to recipients in Connecticut; the next-largest state shares were Massachusetts at 7%, California at 6%, New York at 5%, and Washington, DC, at 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 223 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+0%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.6M (2019) to $7.1M (2020). In 2024 it made 223 grants totaling $6.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tides Foundation Los Angeles, CA | BN - Basic Needs & Rights | $397,500 |
| Safe Futures New London, CT | Bndv - promote healthy relationships & address domestic violence | $307,700 |
| Access Community Action Agency Willimantic, CT | BN - Basic Needs & Rights | $225,500 |
| Save the Sound New Haven, CT | ENV - Environmental | $180,500 |
| Fractured Atlas Hartsdale, NY | Bnart - Arts and Culture | $131,580 |
| Click Windham, CT | BN - Basic Needs & Rights | $122,650 |
| The Housing Collectivecenter for Housing Opportunity Bridgeport, CT | Bnhous - access to affordable, safe & inclusive housing | $117,000 |
| Madonna Place Norwich, CT | Bnes - Promote Individual & Family Economic Security | $112,000 |
| Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Waterford, CT | Yo - Youth Development & Empowerment | $108,344 |
| Partnership for Strong Communities Hartford, CT | Bnhous - access to affordable, safe, & inclusive housing | $105,765 |
Ready to take the next step with The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $127,426,784 | $13,055,357 | $10,379,840 | $6,798,313 | 223 | $5,545,354 |
| 2023 | $121,799,726 | $17,283,333 | $9,868,056 | $6,182,219 | 1 | $6,794,099 |
| 2022 | $106,532,387 | $10,396,872 | $8,802,564 | $5,751,575 | 1 | $1,464,758 |
| 2021 | $123,416,332 | $10,480,728 | $10,944,649 | $6,784,463 | 1 | $1,945,734 |
| 2020 | $114,066,639 | $12,199,583 | $10,558,201 | $7,099,209 | 1 | $1,751,986 |
| 2019 | $99,818,189 | $8,178,198 | $7,542,529 | $4,602,183 | 1 | $1,798,088 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to collaborate with partners to put philanthropy into action to address the needs, rights, and interests of the community in Eastern Connecticut. Its vision is a healthy, thriving, sustainable Eastern Connecticut with greater equity for all.
Its website identifies six community priorities: early childhood care and education; youth development and empowerment; access to affordable, safe, and inclusive housing; access to high-quality and affordable health care; women’s and girls’ empowerment; and environmental resilience. Its grantmaking materials also identify basic needs and rights, environmental conservation and education, and animal welfare as priorities. The Foundation says it prioritizes programs addressing racial and economic disparities and incorporating the voices of affected communities in planning.
The Foundation’s filing describes competitive grants to organizations in its 42-town service area, as well as scholarship awards for students entering or already enrolled in college. Its grant FAQs say eligible applicants may include 501(c)(3) organizations, organizations using a nonprofit fiscal agent, and municipal or governmental agencies. The Foundation’s website says it does not generally fund school projects that are more appropriately covered by public funding, or private-school projects serving only a fixed group without broader public benefit. Religious organizations may apply for non-sectarian, non-discriminatory work that benefits the larger community; religious activities are not funded.
Grantees’ own missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Safe Futures says it works to stop abuse, restore hope, and save lives for people affected by domestic violence and other forms of abuse. ACCESS Agency says it works to empower under-resourced people, families, and communities to achieve economic stability. Save the Sound describes its work as protecting and improving the land, air, and water of the Long Island Sound region. The Housing Collective says it works to expand access to safe, affordable housing and housing stability.
Grantmaking
The 2024 filing reports 223 grants totaling $6,798,313. Individual grants ranged from $5,417 to $397,500, with a median of $15,848. The largest listed awards included $397,500 to Tides Foundation for basic needs and rights; $307,700 to Safe Futures for healthy relationships and domestic-violence work; $225,500 to ACCESS Community Action Agency for basic needs and rights; and $180,500 to Save the Sound for environmental work. Other large 2024 awards included $131,580 to Fractured Atlas for arts and culture, $117,000 to The Housing Collective for affordable, safe, and inclusive housing, and $112,000 to Madonna Place for family economic security.
The Foundation’s website says it awards over $8 million in grants each year and lists Regional Impact, environmental and animal welfare, and Women & Girls grant opportunities. Its FAQs give request ranges of $5,000–$30,000 for advocacy, arts and culture, basic needs, and children and youth; $5,000–$35,000 for animal welfare; $10,000–$50,000 for environmental grants; and up to $20,000 for Women & Girls grants. Community Impact Grants may support program or project costs or general operating funds for up to three years. The Preston Community Fund supports arts, culture, and social needs of Preston residents, while Civic Engagement Mini-Grants offer up to $1,000 for eligible initiatives serving the Foundation’s 42 communities.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Margaret O’Shea as board chair, Nicholas Fortson as vice chair, Sandra Hale as treasurer, and Carol Williams as secretary. It lists Joe DeLong, Lee-Ann Gomes, Leah Hartman, Izaskun Larraneta, Michael Rauh, and Barbara Sahagan as trustees.
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc is led by Maryam Elahi, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 5 of 18 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Maryam Elahi
President & CEO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$218K (2019) → $269K (2024)
Margaret O'Shea
Board Chair
Trustee → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Board Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer O'Brien
Program Director
Program Manager → Program Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$112K (2020) → $122K (2024)
Lauren Parda
Director of Development
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$106K (2023) → $114K (2024)
Barbara Sahagan
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lee-Ann Gomes
Trustee
Trustee → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Izaskun Larraneta
Trustee
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Rauh
Trustee
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joe Delong
Trustee
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leah Hartman
Trustee
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Marrion
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leah Pollard
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Morgan Tuck
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janet Grant
CFO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$110K (2019) → $56K (2024)
Megan Brown
Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$125K (2024)
Nicholas Fortson
Vice Chair
Treasurer → Trustee, 2022
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol Williams
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Hale
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Harry Ferguson (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Leah Schad (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Edwin Higgins III (2019–2022) — Chair
- Former: John Pritchard (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Mary Broderick (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Patrick Green (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Alison Woods (2019–2021) — Vice President & CDO
- Former: Anne Rash (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Cathy Bokoff (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: David Schulz (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Lynn Malerba (2019–2021) — Chair
- Former: Sandra Reub (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Sandra Rueb (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Elsa Nunez (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Thomas Borner (2019) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $269K, to Maryam Elahi (President & CEO). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc
How much does The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc give each year?
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc gave $6.8M across 223 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $6.2M across 1 grant.
What is The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc's typical grant size?
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc's median grant in 2024 was $15,848, and its average grant was $30,486, across 223 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc give grants?
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc gives mostly in Connecticut: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Massachusetts (7%) and California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were New London, CT (40 grants), Hartford, CT (18 grants), Norwich, CT (15 grants) and New Haven, CT (13 grants).
Does The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 223 grants with a stated purpose on The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Yo - Youth Development & Empowerment" (53 grants), "BN - Basic Needs & Rights" (46 grants) and "ENV - Environmental" (29 grants).
Who are The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc's largest grantees?
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Tides Foundation ($397,500), Safe Futures ($307,700) and Access Community Action Agency ($225,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc?
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc reported $127.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $13.1M.
What does The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to collaborate with partners to put philanthropy into action to address the needs, rights, and interests of the community in Eastern Connecticut. Its vision is a healthy, thriving, sustainable Eastern Connecticut with greater equity for all. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc?
The Foundation awards grants through competitive processes, volunteer committees, and board-approved donor-advised recommendations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc's EIN?
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-1080097. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 22, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 6, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-community-foundation-of-eastern-connecticut-inc-morg_f5750b6aabc34095b780ce9df31fb250
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_061080097_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-community-foundation-of-eastern-connecticut-inc-morg_f5750b6aabc34095b780ce9df31fb250},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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