Newtown-Sandy Hook Community Foundation Announces Sunset Date

The Newtown-Sandy Hook Communication Foundation announced that it has a 10-year sunset plan where the organization will spend all of its available funds by December 2025.

The foundation was created to receive Sandy Hook school Support Fund donations. The organization will continue to support the youngest children at Sandy Hook Elementary School until they complete high school.

“It has always been the Foundation’s intention to be time-limited,” said Executive Director Jennifer Barahona. “The time line was based on the desire to provide continued support to the community and those most impacted for a period of 10-15 years. The 13 year mark indicated in the sunset plan is in synch with the graduation from high school of the youngest children that were enrolled at Sandy Hook Elementary on December 14, 2012.”

More from the Foundation

The Foundation also announced the appointment of three new Board members: Christopher McDonnell, Gavin Arneth, and Isabel Almeida.

Christopher McDonnell, father of Grace McDonnell one of the 26 victims of the 12/14 tragedy, is replacing Monsignor Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church, on the Board. Mr. McDonnell has served as the Chair of the Foundation’s second Distribution Committee since November 2013.

Mr. McDonnell is the Vice President of Research and Development for Professional Disposables International, an infection prevention technology company. He and his family have been residents of Newtown for the past 23 years. Cindy Mattioli - mother of Sandy Hook student James Mattioli, who also died on 12/14 - will fill the open seat on the Distribution Committee.

Gavin Arneth is replacing Joseph DiCandido, CEO of Nutek and former Legislative Council member, on the Board. Mr. Arneth has also served on the Foundation’s second Distribution Committee since November 2013.

Mr. Arneth is a 33-year resident of Sandy Hook who works at People’s United Bank as a Senior Vice President in the Private Banking Group. He and his wife Carolyn have two children.

Isabel Almeida, Executive Vice President of Workplace Development and Marketing at United Way of Western Connecticut, is replacing Kimberly Morgan, CEO of United Way of Western Connecticut, as an ex-officio member of the Board.

Ms. Almeida will be one of three nonvoting members joining John F. Trentacosta, President and CEO of Newtown Savings Bank, and Will Rodgers, Newtown Selectman and local attorney. Ms. Almeida is a resident of Sandy Hook.