PFF Welcomes New Board Members

The Perrin Family Foundation has long grappled with what it means to align our own governance structures with our mission.  As a family foundation, our institution has been governed by a Board of white family members with significant class privilege.  The youth and young adult organizers whose work we support are seeking to transform power structures.  What distinguishes our own governance structure from those young people seek to change elsewhere?
 

"Young People's Voices Are Key to Recovery", Op-ED

In May, PFF President Laura McCargar’s opinion piece in the CT Mirror titled, “Young People’s Voices Are Key to Recovery” was published. In it she argues for the centering of young people as complex, multifaceted stakeholders in the process of rebuilding in midst of COVID19. To read the full article, click below!

Seen + Heard

As foundations committed to youth voice and leadership, the Perrin Family Foundation, Leever Foundation, Ritter Family Foundation and Nellie Mae Education Fund have shared a deep concern about the stounding absence of young people’s voices in the discussion, discourse, and decision-making happening about them during the COVID-19 Pandemic. So we asked them to be Seen and Heard.

JOIN OUR TEAM!

We are seeking dynamic and experienced candidates for two new positions. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by August 22

VOTING RESOURCES

With the elections less than a month away, the deep and inequitable impact of COVID19 remains front and center.  Read on for voting resources and other ways of getting involved.

"Young People's Voices Are Key to Recovery", Op-Ed

In May, PFF President Laura McCargar’s opinion piece in the CT Mirror titled, “Young People’s Voices Are Key to Recovery” was published. In it she argues for the centering of young people as complex, multifaceted stakeholders in the process of rebuilding in midst of COVID19. To read the full article, click below!

Youth Voice Project - Read the Submissions

In April of 2020, as part of our institutional response to COVID19, The Perrin Family Foundation launched a youth communication project intended to capture how young people were experiencing the global crisis.Over the next few weeks we will be sharing their truths with you and connecting their stories to one another and to both to larger themes and issues. We are so grateful to all of the young people who participated in this opportunity!

"A Lesson in Accountability", Essay

As students, parents, teachers, and officials grapple with the impending start of the next school year, we must keep young people’s voices and experiences at the center.  As Mercedes MacAlpine, PFF writes in her recent article, “the effects of years of racist housing and educational policies are colliding, and exacerbating, the impact of COVID19 and creating a man-made pandemic in the midst of a viral one. Both the philanthropic and public sector must realize that any solution which falls short of addressing these barriers will fail our young people, and perpetuate harm and systemic neglect.  Click below to read the full article.

JOIN OUR TEAM!

We are seeking dynamic and experienced candidates for two new positions.  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  Priority consideration will be given to applications received by August 22.

The Perrin Family Foundation partners with organizations based in under-resourced communities across Connecticut in order to create environments that support
youth as leaders of social change.

Why Youth Led Social Change?

Creating opportunities for youth to share their truths, question the status quo, exercise leadership and take action to create change will not only pave the way for young people’s lifelong participation and leadership in the civic sphere, it also has the potential to transform our youth, communities, and institutions in the here and now.

GRANTMAKING

Investing in organizations and grassroots groups engaged in youth-led social change

CAPACITY BUILDING

Deepening the effectiveness and impact of youth-led social change efforts across Connecticut

FIELD BUILDING

Cultivating a community and philanthropic ecosystem committed to youth-led social change

stay connected 

The Perrin Family Foundation is currently undergoing the development of a new strategic framework to guide our work. Please subscribe to our newsletter and check back in the Fall of 2022 to learn more.