What’s Your T? Celebrating the Many Ways We Give

Celebrating the Time, Talent, Ties, Treasure, and Testimony Strengthening Fairfield County

On August 4, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation and The SOUL Fund brought community members together in Stamford to celebrate Black Philanthropy Month, and a powerful truth about generosity: we all have something to give.

Throughout the evening, donors, volunteers, nonprofit leaders, community members, and friends connected around the many ways Black philanthropy strengthens Fairfield County, highlighting the five T’s—Time, Talent, Ties, Treasure, and Testimony—reminding us that giving involves more than just money.

It’s about being present, sharing what you know, opening doors, investing resources, and telling stories that need to be heard. Most importantly, it’s recognizing the power of bringing all five together.

Honoring the Soul of Philanthropy

One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the Community Foundation annual Soul of Philanthropy Award, recognizing Dr. Maggie Young, DSW, LADC, a Black philanthropist whose generosity, leadership, and commitment exemplify the spirit of giving in Fairfield County.

This recognition underscores an important message: philanthropy has never been one-size-fits-all. Some give through financial resources or provide mentorship to the next generation. Others contribute by sharing their expertise, making connections, advocating for change, or drawing upon their experiences to inspire action. Every contribution has value, and when those contributions come together, the impact multiplies.

The SOUL Fund: Year Two, Even More Possibility

The evening marked the launch of Year Two of The SOUL Fund, a community-led giving circle created to amplify Black philanthropy and direct resources to Black-led and Black-serving nonprofit organizations throughout Fairfield County.

Led by community volunteers, The SOUL Fund turns individual generosity into collective impact by pooling charitable contributions. But its power goes beyond dollars. Participants choose to learn together, build relationships with local organizations, make collective funding decisions, and gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges shaping communities across Fairfield County.

Entering its second year is both a milestone and an invitation: to bring more people into philanthropy, deepen community ownership, and grow the resources reaching organizations closest to the communities they serve.

Five T’s. Countless Ways to Make a Difference.

The evening brought to life five ways each of us can contribute:

• Time — Show up. Volunteer, mentor, serve, and make room for what matters.
• Talent — Put your skills to work. Share your expertise, creativity, leadership, and knowledge.
• Ties — Make the introduction. Open your networks, build relationships, and connect people to opportunity.
• Treasure — Invest in the organizations, ideas, and people working to advance our communities.
• Testimony — Tell the story. Use your experiences and voice to advocate, inspire, and move others to action.

Different gifts. Different paths. One shared commitment to the community.

The Celebration Continues, As Does the Giving!

August is Black Philanthropy Month, unlocking an opportunity to celebrate a tradition of generosity that continues year-round. The relationships strengthened in the room, the continued growth of The SOUL Fund, and the recognition of Black philanthropic leadership point toward something larger: a Fairfield County where more people have the opportunity not simply to participate in the region’s future, but to help shape it.

The Community Foundation creates the spaces for people to come together. When more people can contribute their resources, relationships, leadership, knowledge, and lived experiences, the entire region becomes stronger.

One evening can spark a connection. One introduction can open a door. One story can inspire action. And one gift, joined with many others, can become something much bigger.

That’s the power of bringing our Time, Talent, Ties, Treasure, and Testimony together.

And that’s the soul of philanthropy.

Photos by O & Co. Media

To learn more about The SOUL Fund contact:

Ryan Deal, Sr. Director, Innovation & Community Philanthropy
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation
Mobile/Text: (203) 295-1438