The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut (CFECT) has announced a record number of recipients for scholarships this year. More than 260 students from Eastern Connecticut were selected by its Scholarship Committees to receive $581,341 in scholarships from 105 scholarship funds established at the Foundation. These record awards were possible thanks to the generosity of donors who believe in the power of education to lift lives.
“Our children are the future and every child deserves the support to reach his/her full potential. There is no question that higher education provides more opportunities for our youth to prosper with increased options for personal and professional growth,” said Maryam Elahi, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Our donors recognize the importance of investing in the future of our children by supporting our work on empowering youth.”
The Foundation has recently joined a national network of community foundations inspired by the writings of sociologist Robert Putnam to address the “opportunity gap” that is impacting the future of young people across our country. Putnam, author of “Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis” sees community foundations as critical players in leveling the playing field for children in America.
The Community Foundation identified empowering youth as one of the core pillars in its Strategic Plan and has invested more than a million dollars in 2016 in grants and scholarships to support children in Eastern Connecticut. “We recently convened local scholarship providers and mentoring programs to explore collaborations that will benefit young people in our communities,” continued Elahi. “Our community will thrive only if our youth are successful in building a professional future for themselves.”
Last week, the leadership of some 40 community foundations came together in Chicago to discuss best practices and strategies to address the growing gap that is impacting the future of young people in this country. The group is led by Richard Ober, the President and CEO of the New Hampshire Community Foundation.
As a participant in these discussions, CFECT’s Board Chair, Govind Menon stated “We recognize that there is an urgency and that community foundations are in a unique position as conveners, thought partners and leaders of social change to take a lead in this area. It is our responsibility and moral duty to address these issues. Providing scholarships to students makes a big difference, not only in their lives and that of their families, but to the donors who are sending an important message to all that in a healthy community, we must care about each other and the future of our kids.”
For a full list of scholarship recipients, visit: http://www.cfect.org/Scholarships/2016ScholarshipRecipients/tabid/379/Default.aspx
Established in 1983, CFECT has awarded more than $40 million in grants and scholarships to local nonprofits and students across its 42-town service area in eastern Connecticut. Charitable individuals, families and organizations have given more than $72 million and have set up 461 individual funds. The Foundation’s stewards assets of more than $60 million. Visit us at www.cfect.org, and connect with us on Facebook.com/CommunityFoundationofEasternConnecticut and Twitter.com/cfectnews.