Ten organizations will be able to do more to help the community thanks to $19,000 in grants from Charter Oak Federal Credit Union.

The Groton, Conn.-based $749 million cooperative said its Community Giving Program has funded 42 grants, totaling $74,100 this year alone, and has given more than $575,000 to local community and nonprofit groups since its inception in 2009.

Recent grant recipients include Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich; City of Norwich; The Connecticut Radio Information System; Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut; Ledyard Social Services; LifeFAQs.org; Muscular Dystrophy Association; Northeast Communities Against Substance Abuse; Norwich Human Services; and Safe Futures.

These organizations will use the allocated funds to assist individuals and families living within Charter Oak's field of membership.

According to the credit union LifeFAQs.org will continue to help disadvantaged students in the Greater New London area while Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich, will use the funds to ensure that local families remain intact and are able to afford their basic needs.

The Connecticut Radio Information System, also known as CRIS, was awarded a grant to expand its radio reading service in Windham and New London counties. CRIS is the only radio reading service in Connecticut for people with disabilities.

“It was an easy decision to award funds to these organizations. They are doing their best to improve the communities in which Charter Oak has served for over 73 years,” said Brian Orenstein, Charter Oak's CEO.

Community Giving Grant application forms are reviewed on a quarterly basis, according to Charter Oak. The next deadline is Jan.1.