Environmental/ Animal Welfare Grants

Environmental/ Animal Welfare Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
Amount: US $5,000 - US $50,000
Last Updated: December 08, 2025

Summary

The Environmental/Animal Welfare Grants support initiatives that enhance environmental education and animal welfare in New London County. With grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, the program prioritizes projects that promote environmental justice, engage youth, and protect significant habitats. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and governmental agencies serving local communities. The foundation encourages collaborative, evidence-based approaches that address systemic inequities and foster positive, long-term change.

Overview

NOTE: New applicant organizations are required to contact the Foundation before beginning an application. Animal Welfare is by Invitation Only. The Peter Grayson Letz Fund for Animals and the Environment was established in 2014 to benefit 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 was established in 2017 and emphasizes the preservation of the natural environment and habitat for birds and other animals. Programs that promote environmental justice, contribute to movement building, and seek to change inequitable systems through advocacy will be a priority. Areas of Interest Preserve the Environment Foster understanding of and promote action on the relationship between the health of the natural world and the health and well-being of our residents. Priority given to programs that: preserve and protect environmentally significant lands, waterways and wildlife habitats – for the benefit not only of the ecosystem, but for the health, livelihood and enjoyment of local residents;Engage youth in environmental education and activities in natural settings as they learn to become good stewards of their environment.Focus on environmental justice: the fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens and meaningful participation of all communities in environmental decision-making.Grants between $10,000 and $50,000. Advance Animal Welfare Ensure adequate protection, care and humane treatment of animals and wildlife. Priority given to programs that:provide support of veterinary care for domestic animals, including spay and neuter services, for low-income families and abandoned pets.Grants between $5,000 and $35,000.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. These grants must be for the benefit of the 42 towns in our region, which includes the towns of Ashford, Bozrah, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Colchester, Columbia, Coventry, Eastford, East Lyme, Franklin, Griswold, Groton, Hampton, Killingly, Lebanon, Ledyard, Lisbon, Lyme, Mansfield, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Old Lyme, Plainfield, Pomfret, Preston, Putnam, Salem, Scotland, Sprague, Stafford, Sterling, Stonington, Thompson, Union, Voluntown, Waterford, Willington, Windham and Woodstock.Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with a 501 (c)(3) designation from the IRS, or organizations using a nonprofit fiscal agent, and municipal or governmental agencies.

Ineligibility

We do not make grants to individuals or for-profit endeavors.We do not provide funding for capital or endowment campaigns, litigation costs, religious programming, deficit funding or debt retirement.We do not typically make grants for special events.Applicants may not discriminate against any person or group of persons on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, marital status or any other characteristic protected under federal, state and/or local laws.