Arts & Culture Creates a Richer Community

The Foundation’s support of arts and culture in Fairfield County reflects our belief that creative organizations can be at the center of community and regional vitality, serving as a place for conversation and dialogue; playing an essential role in economic and community development; providing a platform for under-represented and aspiring artists; providing cultural experiences for youth; or serving as a destination attraction.

Performing and visual arts can also be tools to highlight our differences and to emphasize our similarities. When we use art to communicate our shared sorrows and joys and our shared hopes and fears, we are reminded of our humanity. A region rich with arts and culture is one characterized by strong social connections, increased civic engagement, and improved multicultural understanding. Powerful cultural experiences can bring us together around important issues and spark dialogue about what matters to us most.

Types of Arts Funding

Grants from FCCF Competitive and Field of Interest funds are intended to assure the sustainability and excellence of these vital nonprofits in several ways:

General Operating Support

To be considered for general operating support funding, arts and culture organizations generally should have been previously funded by the Foundation. Additionally, organizations that can demonstrate that they are valued by their communities (as evidenced by membership, volunteer support, fundraising, sustained earned revenue, and/or relevant program planning) are viewed as strong candidates for general operating support grant requests.

Professional Development and Technical Assistance for Arts Organizations

In tough economic times, the cost of professional development and ideas sharing that leaders, professionals, and volunteers in arts and culture organizations find so important to innovation and growth is often the first expense to be eliminated. Technical assistance can also be critical during difficult economic times.

The Fairfield County Community Foundation has responded in two ways. First, we have launched a professional development scholarship program for the paid staff of nonprofit arts organizations. The scholarship program is designed to bring best practices in management, marketing, innovation and sustainability to our region by supporting conference and training scholarships in the amount of $1,000-2,500 (to cover conference registration, travel and lodging). We expect that professional development scholarship grantees will share their learning with colleague arts professionals in Fairfield County through established channels.

Second, the Foundation will also consider technical assistance grants for arts organizations we have previously funded or who are seeking general operating support grants. These technical assistance grants can support work in (but not limited to) strategic planning, scenario planning, business planning, and board development.

Collaborative or Service Programs

Arts and culture organizations in Fairfield County may be funded to provide leadership and technical assistance in the non-profit cultural sector with a focus on creating county-wide, regional or community collaboration. In all of the above categories of funding, preference for funding is given to arts organizations that:

Demonstrate and maintain strong financial management practices;

Document the use of strategic planning, scenario planning and evaluation;

Explore new, innovative programs designed to deepen the audience’s engagement in art;

Integrate arts and culture sector best practices and research in their work;

Create opportunities to leverage Foundation funding; and

Articulate a true understanding of their competitive strength in the arts and culture marketplace in their immediate community and in Fairfield County.

Contact Us

Email Karen Brown, Vice President of Programs, or call her at 203.750.3200 with questions or for more information.