Community Foundation Hosts Legislative Debrief and Announces 2026 Systems Change Grants

Nonprofit leaders, advocates, legislators, and community members gathered today at the Waterford Public Library for the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut’s Legislative Debrief, a conversation focused on the 2026 legislative session and the ongoing work needed to support children and families across Connecticut.

The discussion highlighted both progress and persistent challenges related to childcare access, housing stability, food insecurity, transportation, and rising energy costs. Speakers emphasized the importance of continued advocacy and policy solutions that address the root causes of poverty and inequity across the state.

A central focus of the event was Connecticut’s recent $300 million investment in the Early Childhood Education Endowment, which aims to expand access to affordable childcare while strengthening and stabilizing the early childhood workforce. This investment, along with the passage of universal free breakfast for students statewide, represents a significant win for the End Child Poverty Now campaign and reflects the power of sustained advocacy and coalition building.

David Morgan, Deputy Commissioner at the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, emphasized the essential role childcare plays in Connecticut’s economy and future workforce development. “All roads begin and end with early childhood. If you don’t have childcare, you don’t have a workforce,” Morgan said during the panel discussion. Advocates also reflected on the road ahead for a Connecticut Child Tax Credit after the proposed measure did not pass this legislative session. Speakers noted that research continues to show direct financial support helps families meet essential needs such as groceries, transportation, utilities, and childcare costs while generating positive long-term economic outcomes.

Panelists also discussed the importance of strengthening food access programs, including proposals for a state-funded nutrition assistance program that could help offset potential federal reductions and better support Connecticut families experiencing food insecurity.

Housing affordability and homelessness were also major themes throughout the event. Panelists discussed barriers preventing housing development in many communities, concerns over potential federal funding reductions impacting homelessness response systems, and the growing strain high transportation and energy costs place on working families.

The event featured remarks and discussion from State Senator Cathy Osten, United Way of Connecticut President and CEO Lisa Tepper Bates, State Representative Nick Gauthier, Partnership for Strong Communities Policy Director Sean Ghio, and Connecticut Office of Early Childhood Deputy Commissioner David Morgan. Cheryl Poirier moderated the discussion.

In conjunction with the event, the Community Foundation also announced the recipients of its 2026 Systems Change grants, which support advocacy initiatives advancing long-term policy solutions across the region. Two of the Foundation’s largest Systems Change grants this year focus on expanding childcare access and protecting critical homelessness response systems in Eastern Connecticut.

This year’s highlighted grants include:

• $20,000 to Advancing CT Together (ACT)/Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance for Bridging the Gap: 

Removing Policy Barriers to Expand Child Care Access in Child Care Deserts

• $20,000 to the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness for advocacy efforts aimed at retaining critical 

homelessness services in Southeastern Connecticut amid potential federal funding reductions

• $10,000 to 50CAN d/b/a LEAD to support parents advocating for linguistic and educational equity in Eastern 

Connecticut

• $10,000 to Connecticut Voices for Children to advance tax reform efforts that protect food access and 

strengthen the Early Childhood Education Endowment

“Systems change requires sustained advocacy, collaboration, and a willingness to address structural barriers,” said 

Maryam Elahi, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut. “These grants reflect our 

continued commitment to advancing equitable solutions through policy and partnership.”

The Community Foundation works alongside more than 110 statewide partners through the End Child Poverty Now

campaign to advance policies that support children, families, and communities across Connecticut.

L-R: CFECT Trustee Cheryl Poirier, Partnership for Strong Communities Policy Director Sean Ghio, State Representative Nick 

Gauthier, State Senator Cathy Osten, United Way of Connecticut President and CEO Lisa Tepper Bates, Connecticut Office of 

Early Childhood Deputy Commissioner David Morgan, CFECT President and CEO Maryam Elahi

About the Community Foundation:

Serving 42 towns and comprised of over 600 charitable funds, the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut’s vision is a healthy, thriving, sustainable Eastern Connecticut with greater equity for all. We collaborate with partners to put philanthropy into action to address the needs, rights, and interests of our community. The Community Foundation manages a permanent community endowment and has awarded over $100 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofits and students since its founding in 1983. To learn more, visit cfect.org.