The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut is seeking applications for round 1 of the Social Equity Council Community Reinvestment Grants.
Donor Name: Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
State: Connecticut
City/Town: Groton, New London and Norwich
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/14/2023
Size of the Grant: $25,000 to $100,000
Details:
The Community Foundation is a partner with the State of Connecticut Social Equity Council (SEC) working on a reinvestment strategy to benefit urban areas of Eastern Connecticut.
The SEC was established by the Connecticut general assembly under section 22 of Public Act 21-1, an act concerning Responsible and Equitable Regulation of Adult Use Cannabis. The goal is to reinvest state cannabis revenues back into communities negatively impacted by the War on Drugs.
Nearly $1 million in funding will benefit Disproportionately Impacted Areas (DIA) of the Eastern Connecticut region. A DIA is a census tract in the state that has a historical conviction rate for drug-related offenses greater than one-tenth of the population, as determined by the Social Equity Council. DIAs in Eastern Connecticut are located in Groton, New London, Norwich and Willimantic.
Funding Information
Most grants will range from $25,000 to $100,000.
Eligible Projects Funded Using Pilot Grant Award
- Funding shall be used exclusively in the development, expansion, and support of programs that uplift communities and strengthen families disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs in the following categories:
- Reentry/Reintegration Programs
- Programs that support formerly incarcerated individuals and their families including fatherhood/parenthood/grandparents’ initiatives; civil legal aid; justice involved youth; expungement/criminal record erasure; homelessness; family stability.
- Youth Education, Recreation, and Arts
- Enrichment programs for young people and their families that assist in preparing the future workforce; STEM/STEAM; financial literacy; promoting physical and mental health wellness (get outside, get off the games); sports; mentoring; youth and parent leadership and empowerment; creative cultural programs (including performing arts, music, dance, instruments).
- Awardees must spend all grant funds no later than June 30, 2024.
- Awardees must provide quarterly reports to CFECT on spending, progress, and outcomes.
- Reentry/Reintegration Programs
Eligibility Criteria
- Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) IRS designation or organizations using a nonprofit fiscal agent.
- The proposed program serves residents of the DIAs of Groton, New London, Norwich and/or Willimantic, CT.
- Organizations with an open CFECT grant are eligible to apply.
- One application will be accepted per organization.
- Applicants may submit for one round only.
- They do not provide funding for capital campaigns, litigation costs, lobbying, religious programming, endowment campaigns, deficit funding or debt retirement. Funding for some capital items related to programming is possible.
- 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.
For more information, visit TCFEC.
