The Edwards Community Endowment Program (ECEP)
The Edwards Community Endowment Program (ECEP) supports Northwest Connecticut nonprofits with matching grants to establish or grow permanent endowments held for their organizations’ benefit.
Funder: Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation
Due Dates: Rolling (ECEP applications)
Funding Amounts: $1 match per $4 raised, up to $20,000 per organization; $16,000 minimum fundraising requirement
Summary: Matching grants help Northwest Connecticut nonprofits establish or grow permanent organizational endowments managed by NCCF.
Key Information: Previous Edwards Community Endowment Project grant recipients cannot participate again.
Description
The Edwards Community Endowment Program (ECEP) is administered by Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation (NCCF) through its Marion Wm. and Alice Edwards Fund. It helps nonprofits in NCCF’s 20-town service area establish their first organizational endowment or add capital to an existing endowment. Funds generated through the program become a permanent, named fund managed by NCCF for the participating organization’s benefit.
The program emphasizes an organization’s plans to continue building its endowment after it is established. Selection priorities include integrating endowment fundraising into overall development efforts, involving the board in fundraising and leadership, and incorporating endowment-building and planned giving into marketing. Organizational stability and a demonstrated record of raising different types of funds also receive special consideration.
