Former Journalist Hired As First Full-Time Grant Writer For New Canaan

NEW CANAAN, CT — The Board of Selectman unanimously approved the hiring of Greg Reilly as New Canaan's first ever full-time grant writer last week.

Cheryl Pickering Jones, the town's human resources director, told board members during their Oct. 4 meeting that Reilly, who has served as a grant writer for the town of Stratford since 2020, is expected to begin this new position Oct. 24.

According to Jones, Reilly is a familiar face to many in town through his previous work as a journalist from 2013 to 2018, which included serving as editor of the New Canaan Advertiser.

Reilly appeared on Zoom during the meeting. Selectman Kathleen Corbet noted Reilly was well-known to each board member.

"There's a lot of grants out there that we haven't applied for that we are eligible for," Jones said, "so we are hoping, with Greg's assistance, that we will be able to open up some of those doors and apply for some of those grants."

Reilly said his time working as a grant writer in Stratford has proved successful thanks, in part, to his experience as a journalist.

"We have learned here that the skills of a journalist apply very nicely to those needed for grant writing," Reilly said. "I need to gather information, I need to work with department heads and find out the details about projects for which we seek funding, and then I need to present it accurately and clearly...it's about being aware of opportunities, being aware of projects and then aligning the two, making a good story."

First Selectman Kevin Moynihan noted the town has needed a grant writer for some time.

"We discovered that there's a lot of grants that we don't get simply because we don't have the time and the bodies to dedicate to write grant applications," Moynihan said. "Some are competitive, some are just there for the asking. We get very few grants from the state and fewer from the federal government, so there's plenty of opportunity here."

Moynihan said the town had already been consulting with Reilly for about a month on what grant writers do and what that job entails.

"We got very few applications in response to our advertisement, so we're very thrilled to go with someone who's seasoned and can get the job done," Moynihan said. "We look forward to having Greg be part of the New Canaan family."

All three selectmen voted in favor of bringing Reilly on board. Corbet said Reilly's familiarity among town leaders was an added benefit.

"It helps that you know so many of us here in town...not a big hill to climb initially," Corbet said.

Selectman Nick Williams also expressed excitement about bringing Reilly in for the new position.

"We anticipate, Greg," Williams said, "that you'll pay for yourself and then some."