With Gratitude, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Honors Donors Enthusiasm and Dedication Abound at Annual Spring Luncheon

(Norwalk, CT) Fairfield County’s Community Foundation (FCCF) recently hosted its annual donor appreciation luncheon to an engaged audience including founding donors, Future Society members and many others who have passionately embraced the Community Foundation and its mission. The event, held at the Roger Sherman Inn in New Canaan, CT, celebrated a year of accomplishments made possible through the generosity and commitment of its patrons. The year’s achievements were highlighted in a brief overview by Juanita James, President and CEO, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation.

During her presentation, Ms. James said, “I want to thank you for believing in our work, supporting our programs, and sharing our vision for a vital and inclusive community where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. We are very grateful for your support and would be so very grateful if you helped spread the word about our work and offerings. The more people that join us, the greater impact we can make today, and tomorrow.” She continued, “Because of our partnerships, with you in the room and with many others couldn’t join us, our programs and activities create impact and are working to close the opportunity gap that is all too prevalent in Fairfield County.

Jim Horan, CEO, Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS), was the guest speaker for the Annual Luncheon. CAHS is a statewide nonprofit organization that works to reduce child and family poverty and build opportunity–at the state capitol and in communities across the state.  “Family economic success” is the umbrella for CAHS’s work. He shared his insights on inequities and the opportunity gap in Fairfield County and throughout Connecticut.

“Fairfield County’s Community Foundation has generously supported the Connecticut Association for Human Services’ program work with competitive grants made possible primarily with grants from endowed funds established through planned giving,” said Horan. “Moving forward, to build opportunity, CAHS would like to see more collective impact initiatives, where state and local government, philanthropy, nonprofits, and others are aligned to achieve major social goals.”

Mr. Horan noted three areas of progress in closing the opportunity gap in Connecticut, include preschool availability, health insurance for children and adults, and a decrease in homelessness.  From 2007 to 2017, there was a 24% decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness, including a 13% decrease from 2016 to 2017.

Some of the year’s highlights shared with guests included the impact work of FCCF’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence which is at the core of the organization’s impact work and benefits hundreds of nonprofit leaders throughout Fairfield County. Giving Day was also featured as an example of CNE’s impact work. This initiative brings everyone in the community together…across town and city borders…. with people of all economic means and from various circumstances to celebrate the power of giving over one day.

Another bright spot for the Community Foundation is the Family Economic Security Program, now in its fourth year, in partnership with Housatonic Community College. This premier program of FCCF’s Fund for Women & Girls has transformed the lives of students to date with the program’s wraparound services with plans to continue and grow.

Also, as a result of donors’ investments in scholarship and donor advised funds, together with competitive grantmaking, the Community Foundation made grants to nonprofits boosting the work of hundreds of organizations and many students benefited from scholarships. Through its THRIVE BY 25 initiative, donors have created opportunities for vulnerable, disadvantaged young adults to achieve educational success and enter a meaningful career path.

More information about the impact work and ways to give to Fairfield County’s Community Foundation can be found at FCCFoundation.org

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