NCCF Awards Over $1 Million in Annual Grant Cycle
NCCF hosted its Annual Grant Awards at the New Canaan Library on June 3, 2025, awarding over $1 million to 90 local organizations.
Community-led funding features support for critical needs, early childhood, and larger investments in the local New Canaan community
The New Canaan Community Foundation (NCCF) is proud to announce the allocation of over $1 million through its 2025 annual grant cycle. This year’s awards support more than 90 nonprofit organizations, reflecting a deep commitment both to addressing the most pressing needs across lower Fairfield County, while strengthening New Canaan’s civic and cultural infrastructure.
This year’s process marks an important shift toward more intentional, impact-focused investment, driven by the organization’s most recent strategic plan. This year, NCCF continued to offer its high level of support to New Canaan-based organizations that make the greatest impact in the community, and intentionally expanded grantmaking within key issue areas—including behavioral health, human services, and early childhood. The Foundation increased the size and scope of grants in these sectors, where demand and urgency are growing. At the same time, NCCF continued to invest in a broad network of local partners, ensuring continuity, visibility, and donor-advised support across a wide spectrum of community needs.
“We’ve entered an era where philanthropic dollars must work harder and smarter,” said Lauren Patterson, the organization’s President & CEO. “This year’s grants reflect NCCF’s strategic emphasis on the most pressing issues facing our community, along with continued care for the broader nonprofit ecosystem serving New Canaan and our neighboring towns.”
By structuring the grant process with clarity and intention, NCCF directed its largest investments toward high-impact opportunities while ensuring consistent support for essential services and long-standing partners. Smaller award recipients continue to play a vital role in the Foundation’s work, benefitting from visibility, donor-advised funding, and future opportunities for growth.
Focused Investments in High-Need Areas
Guided by both community input and trends in need, NCCF prioritized organizations responding to the most urgent and systemic challenges:
Behavioral Health
For several years, behavioral health has been a focus area for NCCF and its partners. Mental health concerns continue to rise, however, both locally and nationally. This year, all behavioral health grantees received large-scale investments ($7,500–$20,000), reflecting NCCF’s belief in prevention, early access to care, and community-wide collaboration.
This year’s grantmaking was further strengthened by data and insights from New Canaan’s recent “Community Health & Well-being Survey,” which revealed specific gaps in local knowledge about behavioral health resources and services. In response, NCCF increased support to organizations such as New Canaan CARES, which offers parent education programs in high demand, and Liberation Programs, whose work addresses substance use—a topic many residents reported not knowing where to turn for help. NCCF also provided continued support to Laurel House, whose Resources to Recover program helps individuals and families navigate the mental health system at an early stage. These investments build on the Foundation’s multi-year focus on behavioral health and its role as one of the leaders of the New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance.
Human Services: Addressing Food Insecurity, Economic Stability, and more.
This year, NCCF increased support for Human Services organizations addressing basic needs. Grantees in this area reported rising costs of food, a sharp increase in community hunger, and fear of reduced government aid (such as SNAP- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - and WIC - Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). Even organizations that don’t traditionally focus on food—such as youth enrichment programs—highlighted increasing reports of food insecurity among participants. In response, NCCF scaled up grant awards in this space, with notable increases to partners like Catholic Charities of Fairfield County’s New Covenant Center, which provides year-round support through its soup kitchen (open 365 days a year), food pantry, showers, and toiletry program—serving nearly 5,000 individuals annually.
In addition to addressing food insecurity, NCCF also prioritized funding for organizations providing crisis response and victim advocacy services. Community partners such as The Rowan Center and the Domestic Violence Crisis Center play a vital role in offering support to individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of trauma. With anticipated reductions in VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) funding, these organizations face significant challenges in maintaining services. These types of situations affect individuals across all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds—NCCF remains deeply committed to ensuring that critical, life-saving resources remain accessible and strong throughout the region.
Early Childhood
NCCF is increasing its focus on early childhood, the 0-5 years that offer a critical opportunity to invest in both kids and their families. In this first year, NCCF nearly doubled its investment in this area, awarding substantial funding to organizations like Children’s Learning Centers and Women’s Business Development Council, recognizing the foundational role these services play in long-term community well-being.
Local Highlights & Community Collaboration
NCCF remains committed to making large-scale investments that strengthen New Canaan’s civic life and infrastructure. This year’s lead local investments include but are not limited to:
$17,500 grant to the Summer Theatre of New Canaan, affirming the Foundation’s role as a lead sponsor and champion of the arts, especially as national public funding for cultural organizations continues to decline.
$35,000 grant to Friends of Waveny Playground, made in partnership with the Newcomers Club of New Canaan, to support the creation of an inclusive and accessible play space for families across town.
$50,000 grant to the New Canaan YMCA, part of a multiyear commitment totaling $100,000, to support the installation of a new Combined Heat & Power Unit that will enable the facility to function as the Town’s emergency shelter.
$25,000 grant to the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society, part of a multiyear commitment totaling $100,000, to support the Campus Reimagined Capital Campaign.
$25,000 grant to the New Canaan Library, part of a $150,000 commitment, to support the capital campaign.
Other local grantees—supporting seniors, youth, education, and the environment—received tailored funding in alignment with their goals and community reach.
Co-Investment & Donor-Advised Funds
This year’s funding total includes nearly $150,000 in co-investments from NCCF’s donor-advised funds and other philanthropic partners. These co-investments allow donors to amplify the Foundation’s core grantmaking with additional, targeted support.
"We’re grateful to the families who house their donor-advised funds with NCCF—and to the grant review volunteers who were inspired to chip in during their site visits—for choosing to align their charitable giving with our grantmaking process,” said Patterson. “Their involvement expands the reach of our collective impact in a meaningful way."
A full list of 2025 grantees, including funding amounts and focus areas, is available at NCCF Grant Award Summary.