Community Foundations Makes Inaugural Grants from Fund for Racial Justice

The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut announces grants from its recently endowed Fund for Racial Justice to support the work of three vital community organizations. The organizations receiving grants are: The Neighbor Fund, Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services, and the Immigration and Advocacy Support Center.

The Neighbor Fund in Willimantic will receive a grant of $100,000 to provide legal and other types of support for immigrants and their families in the Windham area. A $10,000 grant was awarded to Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS), who has, in recent years, leveraged their strong relationships in our communities to help resettle refugee families in Eastern CT. The Immigration and Advocacy Support Center (IASC) was awarded a $10,000 grant to support their work with immigrants in the New London area.

“These inaugural grants reflect our commitment to creating a more welcoming community, where every individual—regardless of their background—can thrive,” states Community Foundation President & CEO Maryam Elahi. “We believe that empowering organizations on the frontlines of this work is critical to advancing justice and building a future where all are treated with dignity and respect. Those supported by these organizations have demonstrated that they are enriching our community by contributing in many ways to our society."

The Fund for Racial Justice is an endowed fund, which means it will make grants in perpetuity, and is committed to addressing systemic inequities and promoting racial justice in our communities. Through its Fund for Racial Justice, the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut is committed to advancing racial equity, supporting organizing and advocacy efforts, and providing resources to organizations and movements led by people of color in our region.

Grantmaking was enhanced by generous, strategic minded donors who want to protect vulnerable individuals in our community contributed to the grant awards.

To learn more about the Fund for Racial Justice or how to set up your own named fund to benefit Eastern Connecticut, contact the Community Foundation’s Development Team at development@cfect.org or call 860.442.3572.

About the Community Foundation

Serving 42 towns and comprised of over 650 charitable funds, the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut puts philanthropy into action to address the needs, rights and interests of the region, focusing on four priority areas: empowering youth, promoting basic needs and rights, preserving the environment, and advancing animal welfare. The Foundation stewards net assets of roughly $110 million and has awarded more than $100 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofits and students since its founding in 1983. To learn more, visit cfect.org.