Why should our community prioritize economic opportunity?
Fairfield County has the second-highest rate of income inequality of all U.S. metropolitan areas. Black and Latino households in our community have significantly lower incomes, more debt, and own less real estate than white households. This financial inequality has gotten worse in recent decades because of the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The State of Income & Asset Building in Fairfield County
How is FCCF bringing people together to fix this problem?
There are proven programs and policies we can build on to help achieve shared prosperity in our region. But this will require individuals, community leaders, lawmakers, businesses, and organizations to come together to take action. With your support, our Economic Opportunity Fund invests in collaborative programs that:
Increase Economic Mobility
We are working with the Connecticut Urban Opportunity Collaborative to launch a Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot to show how direct cash assistance can catalyze social and economic mobility.
Identify Paths to Shared Prosperity
We are funding important research to identify the costs of income inequity, the opportunities associated with addressing inequity, and potential gaps in the financial and technical support available to entrepreneurs of color in Fairfield County.
Foster Career Pathways
A new Internship & Stipend Fund will deliver grants for career training and internship programs that give young adults a chance to gain on-the-job experience while they earn money.
Strengthen Community-Based Work
We are growing our support to help local groups strengthen their community leadership and grassroots work to advance economic opportunity, and to fund strategic projects that span several years.
How can I get involved?
Want to move economic opportunity in Fairfield County forward? Here are three ways you can help ensure every person has the chance to earn a sustainable income and save for the future.
DONATE
Contribute to the Economic Opportunity Fund to be part of our collaborative work in this area.
STAY INFORMED
Join our email list to receive information on economic opportunity and how you can make a difference.
ADVOCATE
Write to lawmakers, speak at public meetings, and talk to friends and neighbors about economic opportunity.
To learn more about economic opportunity and how the Community Foundation can help amplify your impact, contact Julian Pierce, Director of Economic Opportunity, at JPierce@FCCFoundation.org or call (203) 750-3200..