“NCCF does an outstanding job of improving the quality of life for so many. Few organizations support such a wide variety of non-profit programs, services, and facilities.” –Craig Panzano, Executive Director, New Canaan YMCA
funds and Grantmaking
For Interested Donors
The Foundation’s grant-making programs consists of a number of Funds that make awards to support nonprofit organizations that address important needs in our community and in communities important to our donors.
If you are interested in making a donation to an existing fund at NCCF, either scroll down to the fund listing or click on the fund's name on the left menu bar.
If you are interested in making a contribution to a Scholarship or Award Fund and want to learn more about the individual funds, please click on Scholarship and Award Funds to the left.
For Non-profit Organizations Interested in NCCF's Grantmaking Programs
Our primary grants program makes awards from our endowment fund – the Community Impact Fund – and represents the largest portion of our annual grant allocations. Awards from this Fund are determined by the Foundation's Board of Directors after an extensive review of submitted proposals. This discretionary grant program provides funds for new programs, capital initiatives, start-up organizations, and some operating costs. NCCF's second major funding source is Neighbors United, the program established to continue the legacy of the former United Way of New Canaan. Neighbors United grants support operating costs of area health and human services nonprofit organizations.
NCCF giving is focused on supporting innovative and essential projects designed to have a significant and lasting impact on the town, and efforts that effect New Canaan residents. Proposals for consideration for grants from both Funds are due on February 15th of each year. The current guideline for proposals can be found on this site.
The Foundation also supports a range of other grant-making funds. Grants from the Fund for Children and Youth and the Spirit of New Canaan Fund are determined during the primary grants distribution process. There is no special application for grants from these funds, but rather the Board of Directors makes the decision about which proposals these Funds will support.
Grants from other funds at NCCF are recommended by donor advisors (for donor advised funds and designated funds) or advisor committees (for Scholarship and Award Funds and the Young Philanthropists Fund). There are separate applications for the Sapienza Scholarship Fund (deadline is in March) and the Young Philanthropists Fund (deadline is January 15). Please review the applications and guidelines to determine your eligibility.
In all cases, the Board of Directors of the Foundation reviews and approves all grant recommendations.
Community Impact Fund
The Community Impact Fund is NCCF’s Board directed grant making fund. Non-profit organizations are invited annually to apply for funding from this fund. NCCF’s Board of Directors awards discretionary grants from this fund for start up ventures, new programs and critical needs. In addition, each year the Board determines if they will award a limited number of grants for operating expenses to organizations that are not in the health and human services category from this fund. Operating expenses for Health and Human Services organizations are made from the Neighbors United Program.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The grant application deadline is February 15th. Forms can be found on this web site under Publications and Applications. Please note that there is only one grant application form that covers funding from the Community Impact Fund, Neighbors United Program, Spirit of New Canaan Fund and the Fund for Children and Youth. Applying organizations do NOT indicate a specific fund in their application.
Non-profit organizations applying to NCCF for grant support should indicate whether they are seeking funds for capital or new projects, or for operating support. NCCF‘s Board will determine what grant making fund at the Foundation will provide the support. For more detailed information, please click on the Community Impact Fund heading above.
Neighbors United
On July 1, 2009, NCCF created the Neighbors United Program in response to the former United Way of New Canaan closing its doors on June 30, 2009. Neighbors United continues the grant-making legacy of the former United Way of New Canaan by making operating grants to non-profit organizations that address the critical health and human services needs of our town.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The grant application deadline for funding is February 15th. Grant forms can be found on this web site under Publications and Applications. Please note that there is only one grant application form that covers funding from the Community Impact Fund, Neighbors United Program, Spirit of New Canaan Fund and the Fund for Children and Youth. Applying organizations do NOT indicate a specific fund in their application.
Non profit organizations applying to NCCF for grant support should indicate whether they are seeking funds for capital or new projects, or for operating support. NCCF‘s Board will determine what grant making fund at the Foundation will provide the support.
Donor Advised Funds
Grants from Donor Advised Funds are recommended by each individual fund's advisors and are approved by the NCCF Board of Directors. We recommend that any organization with a current funding need contact the NCCF office. We in turn can share your need with the advisors of the different donor advised funds at NCCF. Many advisors of Funds at NCCF take the opportunity to review the annual grant proposals and may make recommendations to fund those requests.
Touch A Life Fund
The Touch A Life Fund was established in 1998 to provide emergency financial assistance to those in need in New Canaan. To date, over $100,000 from the Touch A Life Fund has assisted residents of all ages with their fuel and rent bills, food expenses, and provided funds for camperships, tuitions, clothing, school supplies and many other essential items.
NCCF has formed a partnership with the Department of Human Services of New Canaan, Person to Person in Darien and the local churches and schools to create a network to help identify families in financial need. Referrals for emergency support come in to NCCF from these different sources.
Fund for Children and Youth
The Fund for Children and Youth is a field of interest fund at NCCF. The fund was established in 1993 by an anonymous donor and supports initiatives related to the educational, social and recreational needs of the area’s younger residents.
Grants from this fund are made during the regular cycle of grant making for the Foundation. There is no special application form. Grant requests that are received by February 15th will be thoroughly reviewed for funding by NCCF’s Board of Directors and volunteer Distributions Panel. During that process, these grant requests will be considered for funding from the Fund for Children and Youth.
Spirit of New Canaan Fund
The Spirit of New Canaan was established in 2005. The purpose of this field of interest fund is to support projects and initiatives in New Canaan that help maintain the unique spirit and character of the town.
There is not a separate application process for grants from The Spirit of New Canaan Fund. Non profit organizations are encouraged to apply to NCCF for funding by February 15th using the regular grant application form. The NCCF Board of Directors and volunteer Distributions Panel will thoroughly review every proposal that is received and during this process will determine what grant requests will be funded from The Spirit of New Canaan Fund.
Local First Ib.l.a.s.t. Fund
Ib.l.a.s.t. (“I Buy Local and Shop in Town”), a buy local program connecting the businesses of New Canaan with the buying power of our community was launched in December 2008. Charitable support of the community is an important component of the Ib.l.a.s.t. effort. 20% of all Ib.l.a.s.t. card sales sold directly through Ib.l.a.s.t. is directed to the Local First I.b.l.a.s.t. Fund. This Fund makes grants to non-profit organizations that initiate programs to attract visitors and retail prospects, as well as make New Canaan an enjoyable place to live.
Non-profits interested in applying for funding from this Fund should contact the Foundation office to inquire about the process. For more information, please click on the blue “Local First Ib.l.a.s.t.” heading above.
Friends of Spencer's Run Endowment Fund
The Friends of Spencer's Run Endowment Fund was established to provide support for future repairs, improvements and programs that make Spencer’s Run a success. NCCF provides investment oversight and administrative help. To learn more about Spencer's Run, click on the heading above or visit www.spencersrun.org.
Town Players of New Canaan Endowment Fund
The Town Players of New Canaan Endowment Fund was established to provide support for future needs of the Town Players. NCCF provides investment oversight and management. To learn more about Town Players please visit www.tpnc.org.
The Young Philanthropists Fund
The Young Philanthropists Fund program is a unique opportunity for high-school age residents of New Canaan to learn about non-profit organizations, the services they provide and how they are supported. The students work in a group to establish a framework for investing in important community resources, review grant requests and make decisions about funding non-profits. The program consists of evening meetings once a month during school year, at area non-profit locations.
The Young Philanthropists Fund (YPF) was established in 2007 and made its first grant awards in 2008. The YPF Steering Committee thoroughly reviews each grant request with direction from the NCCF staff and board members. The Steering Committee's final recommendations for funding are presented to the NCCF Board of Directors for approval.
Each year the YPF Steering Committee chooses a theme for funding. The Request for Proposal (RFP) and grant applications are sent out to area nonprofits based on the theme. The YPF grant application is due January 15th of each year.
Applications and guidelines are available on this site. Any questions regarding the Young Philanthropists Fund should be emailed to the NCCF office or you can contact us at 203-966-0231.
