GROUP ANNOUNCES COVID-19 GRANTS

The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut announced on Friday that to address the impact of COVID-19, it has given $403,500 to 24 nonprofits.

In addition, it is in the process of sending $345,000 to four hospitals and is raising money for its new Neighbors for Neighbors Fund.

The grants to nonprofits were fast-tracked through the Community Foundation’s regular grants cycle and were made possible by existing donor funds.

United Way of Southeastern Connecticut is getting $20,000 each for the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Bank and the New London County Fund to End Homelessness, while the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern is getting $30,000 for health services for homeless populations.

Other grantees, each getting between $5,000 and $25,000, include the American Red Cross Connecticut Chapter, Connecticut Voices for Children, Immigration Advocacy & Support Center, St. Vincent de Paul Place and The Arc Eastern Connecticut.

The full list of recipients can be viewed at bit.ly/cfectgrants.

The Community Foundation is also awarding up to $345,000 to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, Middlesex Hospital, Yale New Haven Hospital and Day Kimball Hospital.

The Community Foundation has also gotten more than $200,000 in donations so far for its Neighbors for Neighbors Fund, launched two weeks ago specifically to address the impact of the coronavirus.

This came from anonymous donors along with the Edward and Mary Lord Foundation, Chelsea Groton Foundation, Centreville Bank Charitable Foundation, CorePlus Credit Union, and Jeffrey P. Ossen Family Foundation.

Going forward, the Community Foundation is matching donations up to $200,000. For more information on the Neighbors for Neighbors Fund or to donate, visit cfect.org/COVID-19.

Community Foundation President Maryam Elahi said an advisory committee will meet this month, and she hopes to get money from this fund to nonprofits in late April or early May.