Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

10/22/2026

10/20/2026

10/19/2026

What does it mean to be bold in philanthropy today?

At the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy’s conference on October 2, CFECT President & CEO Maryam Elahi joined Mendi Blue Paca of Fairfield County's Community Foundation and Tiffany Donelson of the Connecticut Health Foundation for a powerful conversation about leading with courage in challenging times.

Amid shifting federal funding priorities and growing community needs, these philanthropic leaders reflected on what it takes to stand firm in our values, rise to the moment, and continue fighting for stronger, more equitable communities.

10/14/2026

Yesterday, housing advocates, developers, and community leaders joined Congressman Joe Courtney and Connecticut Department of Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno at the New London Community Recreation Center for a discussion about the newly enacted, bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and what it means for Eastern Connecticut.

As our region experiences significant job growth, particularly in industries like shipbuilding, the need for affordable housing continues to outpace supply. Meeting that demand will require thoughtful solutions that welcome new residents while preserving the quality of life for existing communities.

The discussion highlighted several opportunities to address the housing crisis: expanding access to smaller, more affordable homes; limiting large institutional investors' purchases of single-family homes; and ensuring that federal and state resources are available to turn legislation into meaningful progress.

The message was clear: Passing legislation is an important step, but making housing more accessible will require sustained investment, collaboration, and action.

We're grateful to our partners at the Centers for Housing Opportunity – Eastern Connecticut, our panelists, and everyone who joined this important conversation.

Read more about the discussion in The Day. ⬇️

Congressman Joe Courtney met with housing advocates, builders and realtors Tuesday for a comprehensive discussion on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act — Congress's bipartisan solution to the national housing crisis.

10/06/2026

What a pleasure it was to attend the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy CONNECT26 conference last Friday!

Following a moving welcome from CCP President Karla Fortunato, the opening plenary explored what it means for philanthropy to be bold in today’s world. CFECT President & CEO Maryam Elahi joined Mendi Blue-Paca of Fairfield County's Community Foundation and Tiffany Donelson of the Connecticut Health Foundation for an engaging conversation about courageous leadership, taking risks and meeting this moment with purpose.

Throughout the day, breakout sessions offered valuable insights on advocacy, donor trends, AI safety and decision-making in times of heightened community need.

The conference concluded with an inspiring keynote from Emmy Award-winning journalist Na Eng, author of The Art of Saving Democracy, who spoke about the power of hope and the role each of us can play in strengthening our communities.

We left feeling energized, inspired and grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many friends, colleagues and community partners from across Connecticut!

10/06/2026

What could New London look like if we planned with intention? Join New London Landmarks and Future Expansion Architects for a community design workshop to imagine the future of living, housing, and public space in New London.

This free event will be held on October 6th from 5:15 to 7:15pm at 305 State Street, in the We Live Here exhibit at the Garde Gallery.

RSVP required due to limited space: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-if-design-for-new-london-tickets-2002318667034

10/01/2026

We were very grateful to visit the new Planned Parenthood health center in New London this week. The new space is bright, colorful, and welcoming—and best of all, it can accommodate twice as many patients as the old location.

The health center accepts walk-in appointments and sees patients with or without insurance. They offer birth control, emergency contraception, STD testing, abortion services, prenatal and postpartum care, gender-affirming care, and more.

We were especially pleased to learn about the STARS Program (Students Teaching About Responsible Sexuality), a high school peer education program for teens to learn about healthy sexuality and educate their friends, family, and community about sexual and reproductive health and rights. Enrolled teens even earn a stipend for their participation!

Thank you to Planned Parenthood for giving us a tour and for the important work you do. We are proud to have this health center in our community!

09/30/2026

After decades as a local business owner, Neil Warren is continuing his commitment to the Willimantic community by establishing a fund with the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut to support Covenant Soup Kitchen.

We’re honored to help Neil turn his generosity into lasting support for an organization that means so much to him and to the community he has called home.

Stories like Neil’s are a reminder that philanthropy can take many forms. Whether you want to support a nonprofit you love, respond to needs in your community, or create a legacy that will continue for generations, the Community Foundation can help make it possible.

Read more about Neil’s story and his commitment to giving back in The Chronicle:

WILLIMANTIC — A Mansfield man who has owned Domino’s Pizza on Valley Street in Willimantic since the late 1990s has decided to retire and pass the reins to his son.