3 New London Cultural Nonprofits Awarded Humanities Grants

NEW LONDON COUNTY, CT — The board of directors of CT Humanities has awarded $144,047 in major grants to 11 nonprofits. The grants are intended to support humanities projects and planning that strengthen the organizations’ impact in their communities and highlight humanities work through the state, according to a statement.

“CT Humanities capacity grants help Connecticut organizations that bring humanities to the public to think strategically, better understand their audiences, assets, and operations, and plan for the future,” Jason Mancini, executive director of Connecticut Humanities, said in a statement. “During our peer-reviewed grants selection process, our volunteer committee saw a higher number of requests for capacity funding, and we are pleased that these grants will strengthen not just the organization but the communities they serve.”

Three New London County organizations are among those who received funds.

The following from CT Humanities details projects awarded grants in Norwich, Stonington, and Griswold:

Norwich Historical Society (Norwich, $5,455)
Strategic Planning for the Norwich Historical Society
The Norwich Historical Society (NHS) is seeking funds to hire a consultant to help update their strategic plan. It is imperative for the Norwich Historical Society to have a clear understanding of their organization’s future objectives and goals because it will better help their serve our community. A strategic plan will allow them to clarify the organization’s priorities and will help the NHS grow in the future. The strategic plan will cover from 2025 to 2028.

Yellow Farmhouse Education Center (Stonington, $9,230)
Yellow Farmhouse Education Center – Visitor Experience Audience Assessment
The Yellow Farmhouse is poised to become a premier destination for experiences and educational programming showcasing Connecticut’s rich culinary and agricultural heritage. This capacity grant will fund an audience assessment to understand how they can better serve their existing audience and attract new visitors. This data will also inform a strategic plan for the next phase of the organization’s growth.

Florence Griswold Museum (Old Lyme, $25,000)
Seeing Past: African American History Photographed by William Earle Williams
CTH Planning Grant funds will support the development of an important 2025 exhibition at the Florence Griswold Museum, “Seeing Past: African American History Photographed by William Earle Williams.” Funds will underwrite research and travel costs; a collaborative workshop with stakeholders to share knowledge and seek input on the exhibition’s approach; exhibition design; and development of an online learning tool.