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New Canaan Community Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$2.8M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
8mo

New Canaan Community Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,800,000+ (FY2025)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Approximately 7-8 months (LOI to award)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $100,000+
  • Geographic Focus: New Canaan, CT and Lower Fairfield County
  • Application Cycle: Annual (Letter of Inquiry due mid-October)

Contact Details

Address: 111 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: (203) 966-0231
Email: msoffen@newcanaancf.org
Website: www.newcanaancf.org
Program Officer: Meg Soffen (contact for grant inquiries)

Overview

Established nearly 50 years ago, the New Canaan Community Foundation (NCCF) serves as a cornerstone of philanthropic leadership in Lower Fairfield County, Connecticut. The Foundation distributes over $2.8 million annually to support quality-of-life initiatives throughout the region. Led by President & CEO Lauren Patterson since 2016, NCCF operates with a volunteer Board of Directors comprising over 20 civic leaders and a small professional staff. The Foundation's mission focuses on "creating a better future for all by pursuing the community's greatest opportunities and addressing the most critical challenges" through inclusive partnerships and shared resources. In FY2025, NCCF distributed over $1 million to 94 nonprofits. Recent strategic priorities include behavioral health initiatives, with nearly $350,000 invested in this area over four years, and the Foundation has played a key role in coordinating the community's COVID-19 pandemic response and federal ARPA funding investments.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Cycle: Variable amounts, typically ranging from several thousand to $100,000+

  • Supports general operating costs, programs, projects, capital campaigns, and organizational capacity building
  • Annual application cycle through Go Apply platform
  • Letter of Inquiry due mid-October, with full proposals invited in January

Community Behavioral Health Fund: $1,000 - $15,000

  • Launched in spring 2023 with a five-year, $500,000 investment goal
  • Systems-level initiatives: $10,000 - $15,000 for larger nonprofit-led programs
  • Smaller-scale initiatives: $1,000 - $2,500 for speaker events, support groups, or awareness campaigns
  • Focus on short and long-term behavioral health needs in New Canaan and surrounding communities

Touch A Life Fund: Up to $500 per individual

  • Emergency financial assistance for New Canaan residents facing critical needs
  • Covers rent, utilities, food, medical bills, childcare, household necessities, car repairs, funeral expenses
  • Referrals through New Canaan Department of Human Services, Person to Person, or professional staff at schools/churches
  • Payments typically made within a few business days
  • FY24: 26 requests fulfilled totaling $10,890

Young Philanthropists Program: $1,000 - $2,500

  • High school students learn about philanthropy and make grants to local organizations
  • Student-led grantmaking process

Sapienza Scholarship: Variable amounts

  • Need-based awards for New Canaan residents of all ages continuing their education
  • $195,000 distributed in recent year

Priority Areas

  • Behavioral Health: Mental health services, substance abuse prevention, community education, reducing stigma
  • Education & Youth Development: Student support, school programs, scholarships
  • Human Services: Emergency assistance, basic needs, supportive services (received $205,500 to 21 organizations in recent cycle)
  • Seniors & Special Needs: Programs serving older adults and individuals with special needs (received $101,800 to 11 organizations in recent cycle)
  • Community Development: Quality-of-life initiatives, civic infrastructure, environmental sustainability
  • Organizations broadly serving New Canaan: Priority given to local nonprofits
  • Lower Fairfield County organizations responding to issues of greatest need: Emphasis on neighboring communities facing critical challenges

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not publicly detailed, but the Foundation focuses on nonprofit organizations serving New Canaan and Lower Fairfield County. Individual assistance is limited to the Touch A Life Fund through professional referrals only.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Leadership Team:

  • Chris Schipper, Chair
  • Aaron Cooper, Vice Chair
  • Karen Mactas, Secretary
  • John Sheffield, Treasurer

Board Members: Jayne Benton, Sarah Casey, Monica Capela Chimera, Holly Casella, Jim Clayton, Dan Harris, Suzanne Harrison, William Hines, Jim Huetter, Tiffany Kuehner, Michael Reed, Michelle Riley, Sara Schubert, Erica Schwedel, Marley Thackray, Anne Wagner, Ross Weiner, Jeff Williams, Kristina Woods

Staff

  • Lauren Patterson, President & CEO
  • Ann Rodwell-Lawton, Vice President
  • Julie Ko, Finance & Operations Manager
  • Carrie Kurtz, Development Director
  • Meg Soffen, Program Officer
  • Brendan McMorrow, Development Associate

Leadership Perspective

Lauren Patterson on the Foundation's approach to grantmaking: "At the New Canaan Community Foundation, we are committed to supporting initiatives that create lasting benefits for our community. This multi-year grant to YMCA's energy project exemplifies how we can strengthen an important community facility that serves so many of our residents of all ages, establish a critical emergency shelter, and advance a greater environmental cause."

On collaborative behavioral health work: "We hope that by bringing people together, we can get out of our silos and work in a coordinated way to have a bigger impact — to create a better network of support for our collective community."

On donor engagement: "Ultimately, our donors are the heart and soul of New Canaan Community Foundation. They embody the spirit of the 'I Love New Canaan' campaign and align their generosity with our town's values."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

NCCF operates an annual grant cycle with a two-stage application process:

  1. Letter of Inquiry (LOI): Initial application submitted through Go Apply platform

    • Applicants must consult the LOI Guidelines document
    • LOI Preview available to help organizations prepare
    • Foundation provides detailed instructions for navigating the platform

  2. Full Proposal: Invited applicants submit comprehensive proposals

    • Only organizations selected from LOI stage advance to this phase

  3. Site Visits: Teams of board members and volunteers conduct in-person evaluations

    • Be prepared for personal assessment of your organization and programs

  4. Board Decision: Board of Directors makes final funding determinations

Application Platform: Go Apply (accessed through newcanaancf.org)

Applicant Support: NCCF hosts an Applicant Info Session covering the grant application, site visit process, and Q&A. Recording available afterward for those unable to attend live.

Decision Timeline

2025 Grant Cycle Timeline:

  • September 15: LOI applications open
  • October 17, 11:30 PM: LOI deadline
  • Mid/Late January: Updated LOIs and full proposals due (for invited applicants)
  • February-March: Site visits conducted
  • Late May: Grant notifications sent
  • Early June: Grant Award celebration

Total Process: Approximately 7-8 months from LOI submission to funding decision

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation funded 94 nonprofit organizations in FY2025 with over $1 million distributed, and recent cycles have shown strong community support with multiple organizations receiving awards. The Foundation notes that in one recent cycle, they "fully funded a record 22 grant requests."

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not explicitly detailed in public materials. Organizations are encouraged to attend information sessions or contact Program Officer Meg Soffen at msoffen@newcanaancf.org for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Geographic Priorities

The Foundation gives priority to "nonprofits broadly serving New Canaan" and "organizations in Lower Fairfield County responding to issues of greatest need, with a current emphasis on neighboring communities." Strong applications demonstrate clear service to these geographic areas.

Understanding Current Strategic Focus

NCCF has made significant multi-year commitments to behavioral health, investing nearly $350,000 over four years. Applications aligned with current strategic priorities (behavioral health, emergency assistance, community infrastructure) may have stronger positioning.

Examples of Recently Funded Organizations

New Grantees: Children in Placement, Connecticut Inc.; Community Mindfulness Project; Gospel Garden; Howard Bossa & Peter Langenus Post No. 653 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; Malta House, Inc.; New Canaan Chamber Music; New Canaan Ice Rink; The Housing Collective; Women's Business Development Council

Established Partners: Building One Community, Human Services Council, Inspirica, New Canaan Recovery Corps, Voices Center for Resilience, Children's Learning Centers of Fairfield County, New Canaan YMCA, New Canaan Public Schools

Major Grant Examples

  • New Canaan YMCA: $100,000 multi-year grant for Combined Heat and Power system and Battery Energy Storage System (environmental and emergency preparedness initiative)
  • New Canaan Public Schools: $27,650 for student meal support
  • Behavioral Health Organizations: Multiple awards totaling $91,500 to nine organizations in spring 2024

Collaborative and Systems-Level Thinking

The Foundation values partnerships and coordinated approaches. Lauren Patterson's emphasis on "getting out of our silos and working in a coordinated way to have a bigger impact" suggests applications demonstrating collaboration or systems-level change may be particularly compelling.

Comprehensive Support Types

NCCF funds diverse needs: general operating support, programs, projects, capital campaigns, and organizational capacity building. Applications can request various types of support beyond just programmatic funding.

Preparation for Site Visits

Since board members and volunteers conduct site visits as part of the evaluation process, organizations should be prepared to showcase their work in person, demonstrate organizational capacity, and articulate impact clearly to community volunteers who may not be sector experts.

Attend Information Sessions

The Foundation explicitly encourages applicants to attend their Applicant Info Sessions, which cover application requirements and the site visit process. This demonstrates engagement and ensures understanding of expectations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic fit is critical: Demonstrate clear service to New Canaan or articulate how your organization addresses urgent needs in Lower Fairfield County with emphasis on neighboring communities
  • Multi-year strategic focus on behavioral health: If your work connects to mental health, substance abuse, or wellness, emphasize alignment with the Foundation's five-year, $500,000 commitment to this area
  • Prepare for personal evaluation: Site visits by board members and volunteers are standard practice—be ready to showcase your work and organizational capacity in person
  • Flexible funding approach: NCCF supports operating costs, programs, capital needs, and capacity building—don't limit requests to programmatic funding only
  • Long timeline requires planning: With 7-8 months from LOI to award, factor this into organizational cash flow and project planning
  • Emphasize collaboration: The Foundation values coordinated, systems-level approaches that bring community partners together for greater impact
  • Engage early: Attend Applicant Info Sessions and don't hesitate to contact Program Officer Meg Soffen with questions before applying

References

Information accessed December 2024

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