Building a Thriving Fairfield County: What’s Ahead in 2025
Jan 15, 2025
Dear Friend,
While this year has already been marked by much tragedy and hardship, and it is difficult to forecast what’s to come, I am confident about what we can achieve together, in our community, this year.
Our 2025 calendar is filled with happenings that will help move us closer to creating a Fairfield County where everyone has a fair opportunity to thrive.
So, what are we looking forward to in 2025 at the Community Foundation? In the months ahead, you can expect:
- Groundbreaking new research
This spring marks the unveiling of The Upside of Equity — a first-of-its-kind look at life in Fairfield County if we remove racial disparities in opportunity and access. How could that improve outcomes for us all? I’ve had a chance to preview the findings, and they tell an incredibly compelling story about what’s possible if we set our sights on coming together to create shared prosperity.
In short, a regional economy that works better for everyone works better for everyone. As we unveil the research, we’ll be inviting partners from every sector and neighborhood to join us in rolling up our sleeves to create the Fairfield County we all deserve.
- A reimagined Fund for Women and Girls
In 2025, we anticipate further challenges to women’s rights and freedoms. And to meet the moment, our Fund for Women & Girls is preparing to bring together those invested in our county’s women and girls more frequently and more purposefully.
These convenings began earlier this month at the Norwalk Film Festival with a special screening of Ratified — a documentary that explores the 100-year fight for an Equal Rights Amendment. More than 100 people joined us for this inspiring kick-off event.
Opportunities to connect and increase our collective impact will continue with events during Women’s History Month and throughout the year, and a special event in May.
- A new workforce development investment
Students in our region’s community colleges will soon have the chance to pursue careers in healthcare through a cross-sector workforce initiative that will connect young adults with meaningful career pathways.
Expect the first cohort of students to enroll this spring — an initial step toward a larger goal of helping hundreds of young people build careers in high-demand sectors in our county, as recommended in recent research commissioned by our Business Collaborative for Education Equity.
- An exciting event to re-imagine the future together
Save the Date: On June 5th, FCCF will convene local changemakers, business executives, nonprofit leaders, elected officials, community members, and researchers across sectors to explore the ways we are transforming the social and economic systems that hold many of our neighbors back and what more can be done.
We hope you’ll join us to learn how you can partner in advancing inclusive, sustained economic growth, and expanding opportunities for social mobility.
Together, we’ll chart a path to accelerate this essential work. Stay tuned—more details coming soon!
- More In Community conversations
Our popular In Community series continues with two incredible speakers this spring.
Join us on March 13 for a special conversation with Kwame Owusu-Kesse, president and CEO of the Harlem Children’s Zone and Time100 Next 2024 Honoree, and on April 24 when we’ll host a community conversation with Layla Zaidane, president and CEO of Future Caucus, the nation’s largest bipartisan organization for Gen Z and millennial lawmakers.
We also recently convened grantee partners to discuss how potential changes in federal policies will impact them and learn how the Community Foundation can best support their work. As we look head, these conversations will continue with transparency, regularity and intention to inform our strategies.
In Fairfield County, this is a time of hope and possibility. It is a time to push back against isolation and division and lean into community and common purpose. We look forward to accomplishing these goals in partnership with you.
In Community,
Mendi Blue Paca
PRESIDENT & CEO
FAIRFIELD COUNTY’S COMMUNITY FOUNDATION