Over $735K Awarded To Local Nonprofits By The Community Fund Of Darien

DARIEN, CT — The Community Fund of Darien awarded $735,800 in Community Grants to 37 local nonprofits and initiatives during its annual Grant Awards Celebration on Wednesday evening.

The 2026 grants, funded through donations to The Community Fund, will support residents of Stamford, Norwalk and Darien with basic needs, including food, housing, physical and mental health care, employment skills, youth success programs and emergency services.

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The event recognized the 37 grant recipients and the work they do to serve residents in the three communities. It also honored The Community Fund's Community Grant Volunteers.

Following the awards presentation, attendees gathered for a reception with drinks and light bites catered by Carolyn's Absolutely Fabulous Events.

"Our mission has always been to invest in the organizations creating meaningful, lasting change for our neighbors," said The Community Fund of Darien Executive Director Maggie Domont, in a news release. "At its heart, The Community Fund is committed to providing basic needs, driving long-term self-sufficiency, and closing the opportunity gap for underserved populations in our community. Every grant awarded tonight represents an investment in a stronger, healthier, and more equitable community."

The grants were awarded in four categories:

• Basic needs: $227,300 to nine nonprofits providing food, housing, emergency assistance and financial assistance to Darien residents.
• Community health: $233,000 to 12 nonprofits providing mental and physical health care, 24-hour crisis intervention, treatment and prevention programs.
• Workforce development: $72,000 to four nonprofits providing college preparation and job and skills training.
• Youth success: $201,000 to 12 nonprofits providing after-school and summer academic and enrichment programs, early childhood education and school engagement resources.

The Community Fund said its annual grant-making process is led by volunteers who evaluate local nonprofit needs.

This year, the organization received 57 grant applications. A team of 87 Community Grant volunteers contributed more than 1,500 hours reviewing applications, examining financial statements and conducting site visits with nonprofit leaders before making funding recommendations to The Fund's Community Grants Committee.

"As many nonprofits continue to experience growing demand for services, these grants provide critical support that strengthens our entire community," said Lisa Haas, grants director at The Community Fund of Darien, in a news release.

"We are especially grateful to our Community Grant Volunteers, who dedicated hours reviewing applications, conducting site visits, and evaluating community needs. Their commitment ensures every grant is awarded through a thoughtful, transparent, and community-driven process."

The 2026 Community Grants were awarded to:

• Abilis
• Ability Beyond
• Americares Free Clinics
• Boys & Girls Club of Stamford
• Building One Community
• Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut
• Children's Learning Centers of Fairfield County
• Darien YMCA
• Domestic Violence Crisis Center
• Domus Kids
• Family & Children's Agency
• Family Centers
• Filling in the Blanks
• Food Rescue US
• Future 5
• Help for Kids (The Exchange Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse)
• Horizons at CT State Norwalk
• Horizons at New Canaan Country School
• Inspirica
• INTEMPO
• Kids In Crisis
• Laurel House
• Liberation Programs
• Mid-Fairfield Community Care Center
• New Covenant Center
• Norwalk ACTS
• Open Doors
• Pacific House
• Person to Person
• Project Music
• SilverSource
• SimplifyCT
• Stamford Cradle to Career
• Stamford Health
• The Carver
• The Depot
• The Rowan Center