FOUNDATION AWARDS RISE BY 23 PERCENT

Educational programs took two of the top awards announced Tuesday by the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, with the more than $1.7 million pledged to local nonprofits rising 23 percent over last year’s total for the same grant cycle.

The Sea Research Foundation, which received $30,000, and Three Rivers Community College, which got $10,000, were among the largest grant recipients. The Sea Research grant will be used to deliver a Long Island Sound curriculum to nearly 200 students, while the college’s grant was for the Allied Health Training Programs that help first-time college students find sustainable employment.

The latest round of grants means the region’s largest foundation has now announced donations of more than $3 million so far this year. Grants are aimed at a large range of issues, from youth empowerment to basic needs, and including the environment and animal welfare.

“All of our grant-making is made possible by our family of donors who care deeply about the well-being of our community,” Maryam Elahi, the foundation’s president and chief executive, said in a statement. “We are especially grateful to our donor advisors who had a remarkable impact on our grant-making this year in Windham, Norwich and New London.”

Other major grants went to the Windham Regional Community Council, $9,963, to pay for a program aimed at high school students developing workforce, leadership and advocacy skills; and Norwich Youth & Family Services, $8,856, for a summer program targeted at high-risk youth.