$100K Grant Boosts NC Community Foundation Coronavirus Efforts

Press release from the New Canaan Community Foundation:

April 27, 2020

New Canaan Community Foundation is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and overall generosity of New Canaan residents to its COVID-19 Response Fund. Since the fund’s launch on March 18th, more than $415,000 of private contributions have been donated to support the emergency financial needs of New Canaan families and workers; help nonprofit organizations adapt to changing client needs, as well as shifts in operations; and support critical services in lower Fairfield County.

Last week, the Foundation was overjoyed to receive an extremely generous anonymous gift of $100,000 to support the fund. “The Foundation is so touched by the New Canaan community’s support of the COVID-19 Response Fund and are so grateful for giving of all levels. Thank you for entrusting the Foundation to support the critical work of these organizations that help our community,” commented Sharon Stevenson, Board Chair of the New Canaan Community Foundation.

Congressman Jim Himes shared, "The New Canaan Community Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund supports the emergency needs of New Canaan families, nonprofits, and the entire health and well-being of the community. In these uncertain times, I am grateful for the assistance that the New Canaan Community Foundation provides every day. Their work to continue to support health care, basic needs, and emergency services in lower Fairfield County is critical to our community’s ability to get through this difficult period.

I was proud to donate $1,000 from my campaign to the New Canaan Community Foundation and encourage others to join our efforts to give back to our community. The New Canaan Community Foundation is on the frontline of dealing with the challenges associated with COVID-19 and I am grateful for all that they are doing."

Since its launch, the fund has rapidly invested over $200,000 in community partners and is preparing to deploy a third round of funding into the community. Recipients of funding thus far include Food Rescue US, Greenwich Hospital, New Canaan EMS, New Canaan Food Pantry, New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, Norwalk Hospital, Person-to-Person, Stamford Hospital, Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County, and Waveny LifeCare Network.

The New Canaan Community Foundation, founded in 1977, serves as New Canaan's local partner for advice, leadership, and facilitation of charitable giving. Their vision strives for a New Canaan that comes together to address both individual and local challenges, enriching the lives of all community members. To-date, the New Canaan Community Foundation has invested more than $15 million in nonprofit organizations, working with individuals and businesses to achieve their philanthropic goals through donor-advised funds and other partnerships. Learn more at www.newcanaancf.org

This press release was produced by the New Canaan Community Foundation. The view expressed here are the author's own.