A Reflection on America’s 250th Anniversary
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, there is much to reflect on and much more to do to realize the democratic ideals that this country was founded on. At the Memorial Fund, we know that this nation’s constitution was not created with everyone in mind. That is evidenced across the country where stark inequities in education, income, health outcomes, and more exist in every […]
Announcing Our Director of Strategic Communications
The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund is excited to announce the recent hire of Calondra McArthur as our new Director of Strategic Communications. As a member of the foundation’s senior leadership team, Calondra will lead the organization’s communications strategy and expand capacity to support the Memorial Fund’s mission to achieve equity in education by working with those affected and inspiring all to end racism and poverty. The new role reflects our commitment to strengthening how […]
Black History Month Reflection by Dr. Gislaine Ngounou
As we honor Black History Month, and quite frankly celebrate Black history and achievement all year, I dream of the world I want to be true for my 1-year-old Black son and the generations to come. A world where they get to be free and thrive as exactly who they are—safe and basking in their collective genius and […]
End-of-Year Message
An End-of-Year Message from our CEO, Dr. Gislaine Ngounou Hello, beautiful people! Wow, what a year it’s been. 2025 showed up—and showed out. We’ve weathered extraordinary challenges, and yet, we’ve also seen incredible courage and resilience in our communities. As I reflect on this past year—my first as CEO—I’m reminded that a year can hold so much change, and […]
Authoritarianism Has No Place in Connecticut or Anywhere
The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund believes deeply that all children, and all people, deserve security, safety, human rights, and freedom. Together with our partners, we are working to create a vision of a future that is just, thriving, and liberated for all. However, every day, we are experiencing shocking expansions of authoritarianism, both nationally and internationally. This is lethal […]
A Message this Independence Day
“What to the slave is the Fourth of July?” said Frederick Douglass in 1852. “What to the vulnerable and oppressed is the Fourth of July in 2025?” we might ask today… 173 years later. On this Fourth of July, we are witnessing the likely passage of a federal budget that stands to inflict irreparable damage […]
Looking Ahead to 2025: Renewing Our Commitment to Equity, Justice, and Collective Action
https://youtu.be/gsMzU7E6tbs Dear Grantee Partners, As we head into 2025, we anticipate uncertainty, challenges, and opportunities. But some things remain certain: your commitment to your work, our commitment to your mission, and our shared belief that a much better present and future grounded in equity and justice are possible! Each of you has exemplified what it […]
A Message to Grantees
Dear Grantee Partners, As we reflect on the year gone by, words alone cannot fully express our profound gratitude for your unwavering dedication and transformative impact. The visions and aims at the core of your work were made even more salient as we navigated a challenging 2024 socio-political climate that resulted in a very consequential […]
A Post Election Message from Gislaine Ngounou & Lisa Graustein
As we continue to process the news of the election results, Gislaine, our CEO, and Lisa, our Board Chairperson, share a message of hope and solidarity.
Video: With Election Day Approaching we Introduce Additional Support for Grantees
With Election Day just around the corner, our new CEO, Dr. Gislaine Ngounou, has introduced supplemental awards to empower our partner organizations with additional resources to continue their impactful work through both challenging and promising times.