Director’s Discretionary Fund 


The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund is fortunate to be able to provide modest support for special community projects.  Grants of up to $5,000 are made at the discretion of the executive director, and grants of up to $10,000 are made at the discretion of the lead trustee and the executive director.  Groups are eligible to receive up to one award per calendar year.  

These grants are primarily intended for groups that are not current grantee partners.

These grants typically do not meet the Equity Grants Program criteria but align with our mission.  Types of projects likely to receive strong consideration include immediate support to communities in Connecticut responding to current and emerging threats, trauma and/or harassment related to manifestations of hate, bias, and oppression; efforts to inspire all to end racism and poverty; capacity building support for new or emerging groups working to Build Community Power; and activities led by grantee partners that fall outside of their current work and present a unique opportunity to advance their mission. 

Apply Here

Responsive Grants


We are deeply concerned for those who are targeted by White Supremacist, sexist, xenophobic, and homophobic actions and language. As an organization, we aspire to meet hatred with love and action, divisiveness with community-building and inclusion, and ignorance with education and support. As communities in Connecticut continue to organize to oppose racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, Islamophobia, and other systems of oppression we want to offer support.
 
In response, the Memorial Fund is offering immediate support to communities in Connecticut responding to current and emerging threats, trauma, and/or harassment related to these manifestations of hate, bias, and oppression.
We invite you to apply for funding to give immediate, urgent support to these communities. This support could include gatherings, direct action, crisis response, or therapeutic support that addresses the physical, social, and emotional well-being and safety being threatened.
 
Use the Online Application to submit your request for support. It is our intent to move funds as quickly as possible to meet the needs of the community.

You are not alone; we are with you. We are committed to our mission of creating equity by working with people affected and inspiring all to end racism and poverty.