COVID-19 infects people of all races, colors and backgrounds. However, deeply rooted systemic injustices have enabled the virus to cause far greater harm to communities of color than other groups.  The stark reality is that Americans of color are more likely to get infected, become seriously ill and die from COVID-19, and black and brown workers are more likely to have been laid off from their jobs.  The needless death of George Floyd and the brutality that countless black men and women suffer on a daily basis at the hands of those sworn to protect and serve them bring the scope and cruelty of these injustices into even sharper relief and highlight the need for further action to address them.
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At 4-CT we make the following commitments to do more for communities of color in our state:
1. We will set aside $500k to fund projects and local organizations doing systemic work that directly benefits the communities of color impacted by COVID-19 that have been the targets of repeated injustices.
2. We will measure the equity impact of all of our grants across populations of color and publish that data on our website.
3. We will continue to improve the ways we make grant decisions, ensuring we conduct ourselves in an inclusive and equitable manner, consistent with our goals.
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We at 4-CT will continue to work tirelessly to combat the impacts of COVID-19. Our state must stand together in solidarity to help each other through these times. Thank you for your support which makes all of this possible.