Our History
Established in 1977 by Town 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 over $4 million dollars to not-for-profit agencies in our community. Grants from our unrestricted endowment fund support organizations' capital needs and new programs. The Foundation has been instrumental in helping establish many new community programs and organizations with seed grants. Grants from our Donor Advised Funds have been directed towards local and national non profit organizations at the donors' recommendation.
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 Executive Director, Cynthia Gorey. Initially, the office operated out of donated space. In 2004, Debbie Simpson was hired as the Director of External Relations, and the office is now located at 21 Locust Avenue, Suite 1B, New Canaan.
The first annual NCCF Philanthropy Luncheon was held in 2005. Speakers at this luncheon have included, Nina McLemore, Kathy Agard and Susan Crites Price and Charles Collier.
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. Since its establishment the Sapienza Scholarship Fund has given out nearly $96,000 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 proclaimed 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. In 2008, the YPF Steering Committee awarded over $4000 in grants to area not-for-profit organizations.
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 non-profit organizations, whose volunteer service to the community has made a significant difference in the lives of others.
The Foundation has a long history of providing local donors with ways to make lasting investments in our local resources.
