Higher Edge Receives Grant from The Lord Foundation for Scholarships

New London, CT – Higher Edge is pleased to announce it has received a $75,000 grant from The Edward and Mary Lord Foundation to establish “The Higher Edge Scholarship Fund.” The endowment fund will be invested and managed by the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut and will provide financial assistance to Higher Edge students attending qualified educational institutions.

“We are grateful to The Lord Foundation for having the vision to invest in our students’ bright futures,” said Theresa Armendarez, Higher Edge Executive Director. “The benefit of a scholarship endowment fund is its long-term impact through continued donations and growth. Most of our students are from low-income families and, are the first in their families to attend college – this fund will benefit countless students for years to come.”

The Edward and Mary Lord Foundation has given away over $2.2 million to 42 nonprofits throughout the region. The Foundation considers grant proposals by invitation only after consideration of a letter of inquiry. “The trustees were impressed and excited with the mission, programs and wonderful success of Higher Edge since first learning of the organization several years ago. It was our privilege to provide Higher Edge with a $75,000 seed grant to establish a scholarship endowment fund,” said Kathryn Lord, Trustee and Director of the Lord Foundation. “It is our hope that other community organizations and individuals will support the fund and help it to grow robustly. No Higher Edge student should be thwarted from their college or university aspirations because of a lack of adequate funding. The endowment fund will enable Higher Edge to fill in shortfalls in major scholarship awards and enable every qualified student to go on to attend the college of their choice. This is important and life-changing work.”

“Access to education is the catalyst for a brighter future for young people and for our society.  Higher Edge is a key partner in closing the opportunity gap for students in the New London and Windham areas by empowering them through mentoring and supportive navigation as they work to pursue their educational dreams,” said Maryam Elahi, President and CEO of the Community Foundation.  “Our generous donors have made it possible for us to support Higher Edge’s important work through our grantmaking and now, we couldn’t be more thrilled to work with them and the Lord Foundation in this new way.”  

About Higher Edge
Higher Edge guides low-income and first-generation students through enrollment, retention, and graduation from college by providing the support and resources needed for success.
 
About The Edward and Mary Lord Foundation
It is the Mission of The Edward and Mary Lord Foundation to financially support programs and capital projects of local non-profit organizations who provide services to New London County, Connecticut populations of elderly persons, children and programs involved in community health care. The Mission also seeks to provide support to the local arts and cultural community.  In addition, the Foundation provides support to local community colleges with endowment and scholarship funding. Through this philanthropy, it is the goal of The Edward and Mary Lord Foundation to improve the immediate welfare of the target populations as well as to make a worthwhile impact on their future welfare and that of our community. 
 
About the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
The Community Foundation is here to bring people together to work towards a healthy, thriving, sustainable Eastern Connecticut. We do this by putting philanthropy into action to address the needs, rights and interests of our region, while fulfilling the passions of our donors.