Our History
Established in 1977 by residents, the New Canaan Community Foundation (NCCF) is one of more than 700 community foundations in the United States. NCCF offers the most personal and local way to participate in community philanthropy in New Canaan.
Since its founding, NCCF has built on gifts from our donors, and has distributed grants totaling more than $5 million dollars to not-for-profit agencies in our community from a variety of different funds at NCCF. The Foundation has been instrumental in helping establish many new community programs and organizations with seed grants.
For the first 25 years, NCCF was completely volunteer run. The daily operation of Foundation business took place on a variety of kitchen and dining room tables. In 2002, NCCF hired its first and current Executive Director, Cynthia Gorey and the office operated out of donated space. In 2004, Debbie Simpson, a former member of the NCCF Board of Directors, was hired as the Director of External Relations. In 2010, Kristin Faig was hired as the full-time office manager. Tthe office is now located at 111 Cherry Street, New Canaan.
The first annual NCCF Philanthropy Luncheon was held in 2005. Keynote speakers at this luncheon have included, Nina McLemore, Kathy Agard, Susan Crites Price, Charles Collier and Tracy Gary. The proceeds from the Luncheon have benefited NCCF's Fund for Children and Youth and most recently our Young Philanthropists Fund.
In 2006 NCCF received National Standards accreditation for US Community Foundations from the Council of Foundations. In the same year, the first scholarship fund at NCCF was established through a bequest of Mrs. Anne Sapienza. In the first four years of operation, the Sapienza Scholarship Fund granted nearly $400,000 in individual and block grant scholarships.
In 2007, NCCF celebrated its 30th anniversary as a Community Foundation serving New Canaan. As part of the celebration, New Canaan's First Selectman, Judy Neville, issued a Town of New Canaan Proclamation stating that September 26, 2007 would be known as New Canaan Community Foundation Day in New Canaan.
Also in 2007, NCCF launched the Young Philanthropists Fund. The Fund's goal is to bring together a group of high school students who are committed to making our community a better place to live and are interested in the many aspects of community philanthropy. This philanthropy group works to meet local needs through a grant awards process with NCCF staff and Board of Directors. Each year the YPF Steering Committee selects a theme to guide their grant-making decisions.
In 2008, NCCF established the Community Impact Award at New Canaan High School. The award recognizes a graduating high school senior who has a history of volunteerism on behalf of nonprofit organizations and whose volunteer service to the community has made a significant difference in the lives of others.
In 2009, NCCF created the Neighbors United program which makes grants to health and human services organizations that provide critical services to residents in our community. The Neighbors United program also carries on the legacy of the former United Way of New Canaan, which closed its doors on June 30, 2009. Seven former United Way board members joined NCCF to ensure program continuity.
Along with the health and human service grant-making focus, NCCF also carries on the Touch a Life Fund, which was established in 1998 by the former United Way of New Canaan. The Touch a Life Fund provides emergency financial assistance to New Canaan residents in need. With the guidance of New Canaan's Department of Human Service staff and case workers from Person to Person in Darien, the Touch a Life Fund has provide financial assistance to pay fuel, medical bills and rent, summer school and camp tuitions, utility bills and other necessities of life. The Touch a Life Fund is supported by the generosity of individual donors and an annual luncheon.
The Community Foundation has a long history of providing local donors with ways to make lasting investments in our local resources and in preserving important grants to our community, preserving the special place we call home.
