The Community Fund Of Darien Launches 'The Norwalk Fund'

Press release from The Community Fund of Darien:

Dec. 20, 2020

Local residents may not be aware that despite its name, only a small percentage of donations raised by The Community Fund of Darien (TCF) actually remain in Darien. Approximately 95% of the nonprofit organization’s funding serves agencies in Norwalk and Stamford, with 42.9% invested in Norwalk health and human services organizations focused on basic needs, youth success, workforce development and community health in 2019-2020.

To better serve its donors, The Community Fund of Darien is launching The Norwalk Fund, which restricts its contributions to investments in nonprofits serving Norwalk. Donations to The Norwalk Fund stay in Norwalk, while benefiting from TCF’s 70-years of experience, knowledge, relationships, due diligence and the collective impact of donor gifts to nonprofit agencies.

Each organization funded by The Community Fund of Darien is thoroughly vetted by its small staff and more than 60 trained community volunteers to ensure that donor contributions are allocated effectively with targeted impact, and recipient organizations are reviewed throughout the year for progress. By investing in effective programs and organizations that promote equity and provide long-term support for all local residents, TCF strengthens the entire community.

The Community Fund of Darien’s numerous, impactful program investments last year in Norwalk agencies include:

• The Teen Talk programs at Brien McMahon High School and Norwalk High School to provide an on-site, full-time master's level counselor at each school to provide counseling and preventive education.

• A Family Recovery Coach to follow-up after discharge from substance abuse treatment, helping to prevent relapse and connecting those in recovery to resources and support.

• Enrichment, day camp and after-school youth development programs.

• Financial and housing advocacy services for domestic violence victims.

“For 70 years, The Community Fund of Darien has partnered with our donors to improve the lives of residents in Norwalk, Stamford and Darien,” noted Janet King, executive director of TCF. “Establishing The Norwalk Fund gives donors the added benefit of designating their gifts to a specific town, making a difference in their very own neighborhood.”

Just one gift to The Community Fund of Darien’s Norwalk Fund benefits multiple nonprofit organizations in Norwalk, including STAR, Lighting the Way, the Carver Foundation, Liberation Programs, Norwalk Grassroots Tennis and Education, Family & Children’s Agency and Kids in Crisis. To learn more or to make a donation to The Norwalk Fund, please visit www.communityfunddarien.org or email info@communityfunddarien.org.

This press release was produced by The Community Fund of Darien. The views expressed here are the author's own.