Help Us Care for Connecticut’s Teachers, So They Can Care for Connecticut’s Kids

The Connecticut Education Foundation has had a profound impact on teachers and students across the state for decades. While we provide scholarships for future educators, our most impactful work can be felt through the Boland Fund and Children's Fund. With inflation and the lasting effects of the government shutdown still looming, we know families are struggling to make ends meet. Below are just two stories of how CEF came to the aid of members.

A Story about Our Children's Fund:

When a fourth-grade teacher in eastern Connecticut met her new class in September, she recognized a familiar mix of excitement and need. One student sat quietly at his desk, his hands tucked under his armpits to hide the fact that he didn’t have a coat. Another child had just moved into temporary housing and came to school without a backpack, notebooks, or even the basics needed to start the year.

Like many teachers, she did what she could, digging into her own wallet and gathering supplies from colleagues to piece together resources. But she knew it wouldn’t be enough.

That’s when she turned to the CEF Children’s Fund.

With a quick application, this teacher was able to secure emergency support and was reimbursed for the items she purchased for each student. The little boy had a warm winter coat, gloves, and boots that allowed him to play outside with his classmates instead of pretending he didn’t like recess. The little girl had a new backpack, notebooks, and all the necessary materials to feel prepared and confident. These weren’t just items; they were lifelines that helped two children feel safe, included, and ready to learn.

A Story about Our Boland Fund:

An early-career teacher was working to balance a busy classroom, a new baby, and the tight budget that comes with beginning both a career and a family. Then, a sudden fire destroyed nearly everything she owned. Her baby’s clothes, her family’s furniture, even the teaching materials she’d collected for years, all were lost.

Insurance covered only a fraction of what they needed. With no savings to fall back on, she worried she might have to leave the classroom to get her family back on their feet.

That’s when she turned to the Boland Fund.

The fund helped her secure a new apartment, replace essential items, and regain stability during a challenging time. Because of that support, she was able to stay with her students, keep her family safe, and begin rebuilding her life.

Thanks to the Boland Fund and the generosity behind it, a new teacher didn’t have to face a crisis alone.

If you are able, we hope you can give to support these two funds, which in turn support teachers and students in need. And if you or your students need assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to CEF.