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Whether your backyard is defined by a zip code, population group or a cause close to your heart, we help you make a difference in Fairfield County and beyond.
Fairfield County is the richest county in the richest state in the richest country in the world. Yet—unthinkably—over 52,000 of our families can't afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment. Our schools struggle to address one of the nation's largest achievement gaps between Caucasian and African-American/Latino students. Our teenagers' use of alcohol, marijuana and inhalants exceeds national rates. Up to 38% of Fairfield County school children live in homes where English is not the primary language.
HistoryThe Fairfield County Community Foundation was formed in 1992 when five smaller foundations merged. The Danbury, Greenwich, Stamford and Five Town (comprised of Westport, Wilton, Weston, Norwalk and Darien) foundations, and the Fairfield County Foundation (which was part of the New York Community Trust), merged to better serve their communities and Fairfield County.
In January 2008, the Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation and the Fairfield County Community Foundation merged. Thanks to the generosity of fundholders and contributors, the Foundation has awarded more than $100 million in grants that have helped prepare preschoolers to thrive in kindergarten, kept the elderly in their homes, provided health care to the ill and uninsured, cultivated a new generation of artists, protected our environment and much more.
Vision
We seek a Fairfield County where communities are vibrant and sustainable, and all enjoy opportunities to participate and thrive.
We envision Fairfield County as a national model for focusing exceptional human and financial resources to build a community where all can participate and thrive.
MissionThe Fairfield County Community Foundation advances philanthropy to build and sustain a vital and prosperous community where all have the opportunity to participate and thrive. As the region’s center of philanthropy, we provide:
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Personalized philanthropic advisory services and financial stewardship to donors and partners,
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Visionary leadership and strategic initiatives to address key regional issues, and
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Grants, leadership training and counsel to local nonprofits
What We FundWe award grants to Fairfield County nonprofits from Discretionary, Field of Interest, Designated and Donor Advised funds established at the Foundation. In addition, Donor Advised fundholders may recommend grants to qualified charitable organizations anywhere in the United States.
To receive a grant from Discretionary and Field of Interest funds, local nonprofits go through a competitive process. We focus our competitive grantmaking on six priority areas:
1. Education and Youth Development
2. Economic Opportunity
3. Health and Human Services
4. Arts and Culture/Arts Education
5. The Environment/Environmental Education
6. Nonprofit Capacity Building
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2009 Annual Report: Stories, photos, feats and financials
