More than $4.1 Million in Strategic Grants Awarded in FY24 to Area Nonprofits from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation

Sep 13, 2024

(Norwalk, CT) – Fairfield County’s Community Foundation announces that it has awarded more than $4.1 million in strategic grants to 154 nonprofit organizations from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.

These grants were awarded to nonprofits aligned with the Community Foundation’s strategic focus on supporting organizations working to ensure equitable access to quality housing, health services, education, and economic opportunity particularly for Black and Latino individuals, women and girls, and youth ages 14-25 living in Fairfield County. In addition, grants were awarded to organizations engaged in civic engagement and advocacy.

“Strategic grantmaking is at the heart of the Community Foundation’s mission to build more equitable systems, helping more members of our community thrive,” said Mendi Blue Paca, FCCF President & CEO. “Thanks to our generous individual and corporate donors, FCCF supports the nonprofits that are vital to our community—addressing the critical needs of our most vulnerable residents while driving policy changes that increase opportunity, access, and social and economic mobility for all in our region.”

Grants were awarded to Fairfield County nonprofits that work to ensure:

  • All Fairfield County residents have equitable access to workforce, entrepreneurship, and employment skill-building opportunities to achieve and maintain financial self-sufficiency and build assets.
  • All Fairfield County residents have safe, stable, and affordable housing in communities of opportunity.
  • All Fairfield County youth and young adults graduate with a high school degree and are prepared for post-secondary education and/or employment.
  • All Fairfield County residents have equitable access to high-quality, culturally competent physical and behavioral health services.

“At FCCF, our nonprofit partners are key to advancing equity and expanding opportunities within the communities we aim to uplift,” stated Lutonya Russell-Humes, Vice President of Grants & Programs. “In line with our strategic goals, these nonprofits are delivering vital services and collaborating closely with community members to ensure Fairfield County becomes a more equitable place for all, particularly for those facing the greatest challenges. Their leadership and commitment are essential to creating lasting, sustainable change.”

The grants were awarded throughout the fiscal year in the following categories:

  • Advocacy & Civic Engagement: $115,600 to 15 nonprofits
  • Health: $432,500 to 23 nonprofits
  • Housing: $392,500 to 21 nonprofits
  • Income & Asset Building: $357,500 to 22 nonprofits
  • Indeed Job Seeker Support Fund: $250,000 to 4 nonprofits
  • Fairfield County Business Collaborative for Education Equity: $347,500 to six nonprofits
  • FCCF’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence – Capacity Building: $26,000 to four nonprofits
  • President & CEO Grants: $16,500 to seven nonprofits
  • Women & Girls: $985,600 to 27 nonprofits
  • Youth Education & Career Development: $847,900 to 41 nonprofits
  • Additional Discretionary Grants: $706,800 to seven nonprofits

To view a full list of all grants made by the Community Foundation in fiscal year 2024, visit fccfoundation.org/our-grants/.

About Fairfield County’s Community Foundation
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation is partnering with our community to create a county where every person has an equitable opportunity to thrive. We work closely with community organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and philanthropists to address challenges and identify opportunities to create a stronger, more vibrant community. Informed by three decades of partnering with and serving our community, we have awarded more than $400 million in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. Learn more at FCCFoundation.org. Sign up for Foundation email updates here. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Media inquiries can be directed to: 
Krista Carnes | kcarnes@fccfoundation.org | (203) 750-3242