First County Bank Foundation Grants $27,000 to New Canaan Nonprofits

From First County Bank Foundation.

First County Bank Foundation has announced that it recently awarded six New Canaan-based nonprofit groups a total of $27,000 in grants to support these organizations with their mission to provide needed services in local communities. Since its inception in 2001, the First County Bank Foundation has awarded individual grants worth over $6 million.

“Unfortunately there are so many people and families in this area who are in need. Businesses and individuals should partner to support our community so all members of society can have at least their basic requirements met,” said Karen Kelly, vice president of First County Bank Foundation. “The Foundation is proud to support these worthy charitable organizations which provide essential services to improve the lives of people in the local communities they serve.”

First County Bank Foundation granted Waveny Life Care Network $10,000 to upgrade the “Nurse Call System” to meet the alerting and communication needs of the facility. In addition, the Foundation granted $5,000 to Getabout, for their senior rides program, $5,000 to Horizons Student Enrichment Program, for their summer program to improve social and interpersonal skills, $2,500 to The Community Fund of New Canaan for their local programs,$2,000 to New Canaan Mounted Troop, Inc., for their therapeutic riding and horsemanship program for people with special needs, and $2,500 to Silvermine Arts Center for their Art Partners outreach program to under-resourced schools.

To be eligible for First County Bank Foundation grants, organizations must have nonprofit tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; be located in Stamford, Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk or Westport; have community support; address community needs; have measurable outcomes; and demonstrate fiscal and administrative responsibility. Special consideration is given to those agencies or programs benefiting low to moderate income populations.

About First County Bank Foundation

Established in 2001 in honor of the Bank’s 150th anniversary, First County Bank Foundation was created to distribute funds annually to nonprofit organizations that support community and economic development for children and families. As a mutual bank without shareholders, First County Bank considers contributions made by the foundation a means of paying dividends back to the local communities it serves.

About First County Bank

First County Bank, headquartered in Stamford, Conn. for more than 160 years, is an independent mutual community bank with 15 branches in Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk and Westport.

Contributed photo: New Canaan Mounted Troop “Super Troopers” members help a young rider take part in their therapeutic riding and equine care program. This program offers therapeutic riding and equine care programs to people with special physical, cognitive and emotional needs in the local community.