Investing in Solutions to Advance Equity
Locally-based nonprofits and organizations working with a fiscal sponsor are invited to apply for funding for efforts that help make Fairfield County more equitable for everyone.
How We Approach Grantmaking
As we continue to move down a path of trust-based grantmaking, we strive to respond to the needs of the people and groups who know our community’s issues best and give grants to nonprofits that have promising ideas for making structural changes. This means listening to what organizations need, making it easier to apply for grants, giving unrestricted grants that cover longer periods, and making reporting simpler.
FAQs for Grant Applicants
In addition to matching the goals set in our strategic plan, applicants must use the funding to serve people who live in Fairfield County. Organizations must also be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or 509 (a) public charity, or working under a fiscal sponsor that is a registered 501(c)(3).
Additionally, if an organization has received a grant from the Community Foundation, the work that was supported by those funds must be completed, and a final report must be submitted to us before we may consider a new grant application.
New applicants are encouraged to apply for funds for a specific results-producing program. Returning applicants and/or organizations with a proven track record in aligning with one or more of our key results areas may apply for funds for general operations. Learn more.
The Community Foundation does not award grants for any of the following purposes:
- Persuading people to join/support a specific religion, political party, or candidate
- Capital campaigns or projects (e.g., major building repairs)
- Covering budget deficits
- Annual fundraising appeals
- Hosting a fundraising event
- Purchasing land as open space
- For-profit, parochial, charter, private, or individual public schools
- Nonprofit endowments
- Helping one specific person
As a recipient of a grant from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, your nonprofit is required to follow the terms of the grant agreement, which includes reporting and publicity requirements.
Reporting Requirements
Organizations that get strategic grants must send us two reports: an interim report midway through the project and a final report at the end of the grant period. (If the grant is $10,000 or less, only a final report is needed.) Usually, these reports are due on January 15 and July 15. Full details on required reporting will be shared in the grant agreement. Report forms are available through Sharon Jones, Grants Associate, at SJones@FCCFoundation.org or call (203) 750-3200.
Publicity Requirements
Groups that are awarded grants should tell the media to help raise awareness of their organization and their work. We ask that grantees mention the Community Foundation whenever they talk about the project in the media, on their website, in newsletters, or on social media. This could be covered by the phrase “Made possible [in part] by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation.” Download publicity guidelines.
For organizations that are still growing and do not yet qualify for larger grants, small grants of up to $5,000 may be available to support projects focused on equity in Fairfield County. Contact our Grants Associates at (203) 750-3200 to learn more about any current opportunities.
Low-cost, high-quality professional development workshops are also offered through our Center for Nonprofit Excellence to help organizations grow their capacity and impact. Sign up for emails to learn about upcoming trainings, networking events, new funding opportunities and more.
See Our 2023 Grantee Partners
Our strategic grantmaking, which averages $2 to $3 million per year, supports organizations in building more equitable systems and structures to ensure all community members can thrive.
Pro Bono Partnership
Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership
Building Neighborhoods Together
Central Connecticut Coast YMCA
CONECT
Connecticut Fair Housing Center, Inc.
Connecticut Housing Partners
Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network
Connecticut Veterans Legal Center
Designing For Democracy
Filling in the Blanks, Inc.
Food Rescue US
Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County
Operation Hope of Fairfield, Inc.
Pacific House
Partnership for Strong Communities
Regional Plan Association
Renewal House
Sustainable CT, Inc.
The Housing Collective
The Minority Construction Council
United Way of Coastal Fairfield County
Wheel It Forward
Building One Community
Career Resources, Inc.
Catholic Charities of Fairfield County
Community Economic Development Fund
Connecticut Voices for Children
Kadiwaku Family Foundation
SimplifyCT
Statewide Legal Services of CT
Under One Roof, Inc.
Women’s Business Development Council
50Can, Inc.
ACCESS Educational Services
Arts For Learning Connecticut
Audubon Connecticut
Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich
Boys & Girls Village
Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders Inc
Bridgeport Public Education Fund
Bridgeport Youth Lacrosse
Campaign School at Yale University
Center for Children’s Advocacy
City Lights/Bridgeport Art Trail
Connecticut Institute for Communities, Inc
Connecticut Institute for Social Entrepreneurship Inc.
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
Discovering Amistad
Educators for Excellence
English Learner Support Services of Fairfield County
FaithActs for Education
Family and Children’s Agency
Family Centers, Inc
Future 5
Greenwich Alliance for Education
Horizons at Greens Farms Academy
Horizons at New Canaan Country School
Horizons at Norwalk Community College
Horizons at Sacred Heart University
Horizons Bridgeport
InformCT
Intempo
LifeBridge Community Services
Mill River Park Collaborative
My Architecture Workshops Inc
Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship
New Paradigm Theatre
Norwalk Community College Foundation
Norwalk/Stamford Grassroots Tennis & Education, Inc
Park City Initiative Corp.
Project Morry
Project Music
REACH Western CT
Real Food Share, Inc.
Serving All Vessels Equally, Inc.
SoundWaters
South End Community Center
Stamford Youth Services Bureau – City of Stamford
STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way
Sterling House Community Center
The Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts
Today’s Students Tomorrow’s Teachers
United Way of Western Connecticut
Urban Impact
Valley Riders
Voices of September 11, Inc.
Wakeman Boys & Girls Club
Youth Business Initiative
Daily Bread Food Pantry
United Way of Coastal Fairfield County
All Our Kin
ARI of Connecticut, Inc.
Bridgeport Generation Now
Bridgeport Pop Warner Football League
Caroline House, Inc.
Center for Family Justice, Inc.
Child and Family Guidance Center
Child Guidance Center of Mid-Fairfield County
Children in Placement
Connecticut Association for Human Services
Connecticut Health Foundation
Connecticut Women’s Education & Legal Fund
Earth’s Natural Touch
Federation for Jewish Philanthropy of Upper Fairfield County
Five Frogs, Inc.
Grameen America, Inc.
Health Equity Solutions
Lauren Smith-Fields Foundation, Inc.
Liberation Programs, Inc.
LiveGirl
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
Love146
Mental Health Services at Bridgeport Hospital
Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport, Inc.
Moms In Security Global Outreach (MISGO)
Norwalk Community Health Center
Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
Positive Directions – The Center for Prevention and Counseling
Saint Joseph Parenting Center
Stamford Health System
Stamford Museum & Nature Center
The REACH Fund of Connecticut, Inc.
The WorkPlace
Thrown Stone Theatre Company
Tiny Miracles Foundation
United Way of Coastal Fairfield County – Bridgeport Prospers
United Way of Western Connecticut
University of Bridgeport
Western CT Association for Human Rights (WeCAHR)
Women Against Mass Incarceration
Women’s Mentoring Network, Inc.
Youth Business Initiative
YWCA Greenwich
Carver Foundation of Norwalk, Inc.
Dovetail: SIP, Inc. (Subsidiary of Charter Oak Communities)
Future 5
Horizons at New Canaan Country School
Norwalk ACTS, Inc.
Norwalk Community College Foundation
The Foundation for Excellence in Bridgeport Public Schools
United Way of Coastal Fairfield County – Bridgeport Prospers
United Way of Western Connecticut – United Way Family Child Care Network
United Way of Western Connecticut – Stamford Cradle to Career
Association of Fundraising Professionals
Bridgeport Public Education Fund
Bridgeport Regional Business Council
City Lights/Bridgeport Art Trail
Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network
Partnership for Strong Communities
Salt & Light Ministries, Inc.
Triangle Community Center
United Church of Christ
Have questions about our strategic grant process? Contact Sharon Jones, Grants Associate, at SJones@FCCFoundation.org or call (203) 750-3200.