“It’s Pure Gratitude Driving Us”

Pictured above: Stephen Santa’s grandson Peter Russell, current President of Santa Fuel, Inc., with Lorraine Gibbons, Executive Director of the Cardinal Shehan Center – an organization the family has long supported through philanthropic giving.

When Tom Santa’s father and uncles sought ways to mark the 50th anniversary of Santa Energy, there was plenty to celebrate. After all, their parents Stephen and Madelyn had started the family business in 1940 with a single truck. They eventually expanded to provide fuel services for 27 towns in Fairfield and New Haven counties.

While the brothers were eager to mark their parents’ business success, they wanted to show appreciation to their customers, too.

In 1990, they did both— by creating the Stephen and Madelyn Santa Environmental Fund at the Community Foundation. With company contributions to this corporate donor-advised fund (DAF), Santa Energy made grants to nonprofits serving local residents—and they haven’t stopped.

According to Tom, part of the third generation of Santas to lead the company, the fund also reflected their business values. “Santa Energy was always tuned into energy conservation and environmental protection,” he stated. “In an industry like ours, it’s a focus.”

In 2016, compelled by the company’s continued good fortune, the family established another corporate DAF, the Santa Family Fund, at the Community Foundation. “Santa Energy wanted to do even more for the community,” he said. “It’s pure gratitude driving us.”

With its company headquarters in Black Rock Harbor and deep family roots in Bridgeport, most grants from the fund are directed to improving educational opportunities for city residents.

“Tradesmen support our industry, so trade education is a particular focus,” Tom noted. “We hope the Community Foundation continues to tell us where help is needed so we can broaden our vision and find new opportunities to make a difference.”

To learn more about corporate donor advised funds at Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, contact Joseph Collin, Vice President of Philanthropy, at (203) 750-3211 or JCollin@FCCFoundation.org.