FactSet Charitable Foundation, Littlejohn & Co. and McKinsey & Company Join Local Efforts Aimed to Eliminate Educational Disparities 

NORWALK, CT (Oct. 3, 2023) – The Fairfield County Business Collaborative for Education Equity (BCEE) today announced the addition of FactSet Charitable Foundation, Littlejohn & Co. and McKinsey & Company as its newest partners.

BCEE is a local impact and funding collaborative that works to reduce and eliminate educational disparities among Fairfield County’s most vulnerable pre-K through 12+ students, parents and guardians, as well as teachers and staff.

Established in 2020 in partnership with Fairfield County’s Community Foundation to serve the Greater Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk and Stamford regions, the Business Collaborative has awarded more than $800,000 in grants. In addition to financial contributions, BCEE members also provide employee volunteerism, expertise and other resources.

The three new partners join the Business Collaborative’s existing members: Bank of America, First County Bank, Gallatin Point Capital, Henkel, Lapine Associates, Pitney Bowes, Synchrony, The Ashforth Company, The Tudor Foundation, Inc. and Xerox.

Together, the new additions will bolster the business community’s commitment to advancing education equity.

“McKinsey & Company is honored to join the Fairfield County Business Collaborative for Education Equity and build on the local business community’s tradition of partnering together to support important causes right here at home,” said Pablo Prieto, Partner from McKinsey & Company’s Stamford Office. “We are dedicated to building impactful partnerships and creating solutions so that all Fairfield County residents have equitable education access.”

Joining from Greenwich, Littlejohn & Co. brings a hyper-local business presence to the Collaborative.

“We thrive at serving as a catalyst for change in business, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have the opportunity to carry that same ethos forward in partnership with the Fairfield County Business Collaborative,” said Brian Ramsay, president of Littlejohn & Co. “The Collaborative is an excellent avenue for businesses to work together to help build more equitable futures for all who call Fairfield County home.”

The latest new partners further elevate the promise of the Business Collaborative to advance equity in education in our community.

“In a brief span, we’ve witnessed the power of collaboration and the potential that lies within this partnership to foster opportunities that can help open the doors for everyone,” said Bill Tommins, president, Bank of America Southern Connecticut. “We extend a very warm welcome to our latest associates and extend an open invitation to fellow enterprises rooted in Fairfield County, urging them to join the Business Collaborative as we jointly strive to create a more promising and equitable tomorrow for every child and family within our community.”

Serving as the Business Collaborative’s community foundation partner, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation provides administrative and advisory services to local business members, helping them achieve greater combined impact.

“The Business Collaborative’s growing membership helps accelerate Fairfield’s County’s Community Foundation’s commitment to closing the opportunity gap and advance racial equity in education,” said Mendi Blue, CEO and president of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. “It’s my hope that initiatives such as the Business Collaborative will help us achieve our aspirations of living in a Fairfield County where all students will graduate with a high school degree and are prepared for either postsecondary education or employment.”

Please visit the Business Collaborative’s website to learn more about the Fairfield County Business Collaborative and how to become a member. Local businesses of all sizes are encouraged to join.