Supporting Nonprofits to Deepen Philanthropic Impact

For nearly a century, Pitney Bowes has been committed to helping communities become better places to live and work. In Fairfield County, one way the company has deepened its philanthropic impact is by supporting Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s (FCCF) Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE). “We’re proud to partner with FCCF through its CNE to help nonprofits be more effective and better able to respond to evolving community needs,” says Polly O’Brien Morrow, Vice President of the Pitney Bowes Foundation. “By helping nonprofits in our region build capacity, we can in turn help our communities become stronger and more resilient.”

The Pitney Bowes Foundation has funded FCCF’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) since its inception 10 years ago. Through grants, the Foundation supports free or low-cost trainings that help Fairfield County nonprofits strengthen governance and improve their operating effectiveness. The Pitney Bowes Foundation grants also fuel CNE programs that foster peer learning, networking and sharing best practices between nonprofit leaders. “There are so many nonprofit organizations in our area that are competing for limited resources,” says Morrow. “It’s really important for them to find ways to partner to fulfill their missions effectively. They also need to understand how they can raise funds from a variety of constituents, so they can be sustainable in the long-term. The FCCF’s CNE is an excellent resource for learning these skills, while offering a peer network of nonprofit partners”

“We’ve seen organizations grow their effectiveness by participating in CNE trainings and other FCCF programs,” says Morrow. “And, we are very pleased by our partnership given the long term positive impact that is achieved by participating organizations.