Mark your calendars!
Sunday October 17th at 12pm in Waveny Park

A benefit for the Spencer’s Run Endowment Fund at the New Canaan Community Foundation!
Help fund improvements and special projects for Spencer’s Run

Tell your friends (and your best friend).
After the walk, cool down with some cider and bones

To Register please go to: http://www.spencersrun.org/

On Thursday, November 18th, NCCF will hold the 6th Annual Philanthropy luncheon to benefit the Young Philanthropists Fund at Woodway Country Club. This year’s speaker is Claire Gaudiani, an Adjunct Professor in the Wagner School of Public Service at New York University and former President of Connecticut College. Gr. Gaudiani is a passionate and provocative speaker about the fundamental importance of generosity in America. Her stories are guaranteed to inspire everyone who cares about our communities and our nation. She is a widely quoted expert on the economics of American philanthropy. Her insights have appeared in USA Today, The Financial Times, The New York Times, the Chronicle of Philanthropy and the Associated Press wire service just in the past year.

After completing her fourth book on philanthropy in 2009, “Social Entrepreneurship in America:Women Building a more Perfect Union”, Gaudiani received an appointment at the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at NYU.

From 2004–2009, Gaudiani served as clinical professor at the Heyman Center for Philanthropy at New York University, where she directed the graduate program in philanthropic studies. From 2001–2004 at the Yale Law School, she wrote “The Greater Good: How Philanthropy Drives the American Economy and Can Save Capitalism”. This widely-cited book argues that Americans are not generous because we are rich, but rich because we are generous. Gaudiani asserts that citizen generosity is the defining American value, and urges that we leverage this legacy through the coming, post-boomer wealth transfer.

Gaudiani served for 13 years as President of Connecticut College, where she was also Professor of French. Under her leadership from 1988–2001, Connecticut College quintupled its endowment and rose to the top 25 liberal arts colleges in the nation.

Gaudiani holds a PhD and master’s degree in French literature from Indiana University and a bachelor’s degree, also in French, from Connecticut College. Recent publications include “Values-Centered Financial Planning’ in the Journal of Practical Estate Planning, (June/July, 2006), “The Transformative Power of Women’s Philanthropy” in Women and Giving ( Jossey Bass, 2006), “Internal Board Communication Strategies’ in the National Association of Corporate Directors Journal ( June, 2007), and “Intangible Asset Planning” in Trusts and Estates (June, 2007).

She is married to David Burnett, PhD, her partner in Gaudiani Associates and they have two married children and three grandchildren.

The first award was made from the Joseph F. Dorrico Rotary Scholarship program on May 19th at NCCF‘s annual grant awards reception. The Joseph F. Dorrico Rotary Scholarship award was created by Mr. Dorrico’s daughter and son-in-law in his honor, on the occasion of his 90th birthday in September of 2009. The endowed fund supporting this award was established with their initial gift and later received nearly 40 memorial gifts from his friends and family members when Mr. Dorrico passed away in November. The award honors Mr. Dorrico’s loyal service to the New Canaan community, both professionally and as a volunteer. Mr. Dorrico lived in New Canaan for ten years, served as President of the local Rotary Club, and worked as the postmaster until his retirement in 1977 – coincidentally the same year that NCCF was founded. Mr. Dorrico’s legacy of community service will live on, through this annual accolade.

The award goes to a New Canaan resident who has demonstrated a similar loyalty to the community through his or her volunteer service, and who has a need for financial assistance in pursuing their education. Several candidates for this award are selected by the scholarship committee at NCCF and the final decision is made by the Rotary Club of New Canaan. The inaugural award was announced by Ben Bilus as a representative of the Rotary Club of New Canaan, and presented to Faith Grabarz by Rosemary and Anthony Madia, Mr. Dorrico’s family member.

At the annual Grant Awards reception on May 19th, the New Canaan Community Foundation (NCCF) awarded scholarship grants from the Anne and Anthony Sapienza Scholarship Fund totaling nearly $160,000, supporting educational efforts of seven local non-profit organizations and recognizing thirty seven individual New Canaan residents. Approximately 220 people came together at this event to celebrate the generosity of community spirit and local philanthropy in New Canaan.

The Anne and Anthony Sapienza Scholarship Fund was established at NCCF in 2006 through a bequest from New Canaan resident Anne Sapienza. In its fourth year of operation, the Sapienza Scholarship Fund generated awards at a record high level, as the endowed fund supporting this program continues to grow. According to Cynthia Gorey, Executive Director of the Community Foundation, Mrs. Sapienza wanted to allow New Canaan residents to further their education, and not be limited by financial obstacles. Mrs. Sapienza encouraged NCCF to support students of all ages wishing to attend not-for-profit educational organizations. Scholarship eligibility is therefore not limited to high school seniors applying to traditional four-year colleges. Mrs. Gorey added, “The timing of this increase in scholarship awards was so fortuitous with the downturn in the economy and the increased need among local residents for financial support for educational costs, as a result”. Selection criteria for this scholarship program were established by Mrs. Sapienza and include demonstrated involvement in the New Canaan community, academic achievements, and commitment to his or her preferred course of study.

The NCCF Annual Report acknowledging our 2009 donors and reviewing Foundation activities, events, fund activity and grants is now available on our web site under Publications. If you would like a hard copy, please contact the office at 203–966-0231 and we would be happy to mail you a Report. NCCF extends our deepest appreciation to Arthur Congdon and Congdon and Company for their donation of the graphic design of the 2009 Annual Report.