“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
Grants
The Foundation's grant-making programs are made up of a number of Funds and programs that make awards to support non-for-profit organizations that address important needs in our community and in communities important to our donors.
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, critical initiatives, and start-up 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 impact New Canaan residents. Proposals for consideration for grants from the Community Impact Fund are due on February 1st 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 unrestricted endowment 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 2010, NCCF will again provide a limited number of grants for operating expenses to organizations that are not in the health and human serivices category. 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.
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 will continue the legacy of the former United Way of New Canaan by making 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. 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.
In 2009, the Bank of New Canaan was the leading corporate supporter of the Neighbors United Program. Their generous support was followed by support from HTG Investment Advisors.
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, overe $80,000 from the Touch A Life Fund has assisted residents of all ages with their fuel, medical and rent bills, provide funds for camperships, clothing, school supplies and many other essential items.
Misfortune arrives without warning, and some people become victims of circumstance, with no one to turn to …
- A low-income family whose hot water heater suddenly broke
- A single mother forced to choose between paying her child’s medical bills or rent
NCCF and the Touch A Life Fund understand that emergencies can strike at any time. We have formed a partnership with the Department of Human Services of New Canaan, Perspn to Person and the local churches and schools to create a network to help identify families in financial need.
Over the years, this Fund has changed the lives of so many people and continues to enrich the life of our community. The Touch A Life Fund is supported by direct contributions to the Fund throughout the year as well as during the annual Touch A Life Luncheon held in February. We urge you to make your on-line contribution today to the Touch A Life Fund. Together, we can do so much more for so many people.
Ib.l.a.s.t. Local First Fund
In an effort to consolidate the charitable funds collected from Ib.l.a.s.t. card sales, and be more efficient and effective philanthropists, the founders of Ib.l.a.s.t., Barbara Davis and Carolyn Williams, now direct 20% of all 2010 Ib.l.a.s.t. card sales sold directly through Ib.l.a.s.t. to a charitable fund they have established at the New Canaan Community Foundation. This fund, called the Local First Ibl.a.s.t. Fund, will support local charities through fundraising and card sales donations.
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 form 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 Allocations Panel and during that process will be concidered for funding from the Fund for Children and Youth.
Spirit of New Canaan Fund
The Spirit of New Canaan was established in 2005 as a designated fund within NCCF. The purpose of the 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 Allocations 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.
Employee Enrichment Fund
The Employee Enrichment Fund was established in 2007 through a generous gift from the Jeniam Foundation. The mission of the Fund is to support educational enrichment activities for individual employees of smaller, local non-profit organizations that will also have an impact on the larger organization. Grants are made to organizations that meet funding criteria, and proposals are submitted by invitation only. For more information, please call the Foundation office.
Donor Advised Funds
Grants from Donor Advised Funds are recommended by each individual funds’ 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 funds at NCCF.
The Young Philanthropists Fund
Young Philanthropists Fund (YPF) was established in 2007 and made its first grant awards in 2008. The YPF Steering Committee, comprised of high school aged students from New Canaan, 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 RFP and grant applications are sent out to area non-profits 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 process should be directed to the NCCF office at (203) 966-0231.
