Fairfield County’s Comm Fdn

🎉 Our recent celebration of the Fund for Women & Girls was a powerful gathering of longtime supporters and new friends united around a shared commitment of support for women and girls across Fairfield County. Grounded in stories of inspiration and action, the evening included powerful remarks from Mimi Sternlicht, this year's Anne Leonhardt Award recipient, and our partners leading the amazing work of the Black Maternal Health Initiative. Thank you to all who attended and supported this year's event. Your contributions allow FWG to continue investing in a stronger future for women and girls, and our entire community. Find more photos and an update on the fundraising match announced at the event here: https://bit.ly/4tnBSIc Special thanks to our FWG Steering Committee members, our dedicated staff and event partners, and our corporate sponsors, Terex Corporation, Pullman & Comley, and our HMTX Industries. We are grateful for all of you, and for our Fairfield County community.

IN THE NEWS: FCCF was featured in a recent Inside Philanthropy article on the role Community Foundations are playing to address rising hunger in their communities due to major federal funding cuts. FCCF's President & CEO Mendi Blue Paca shared why the Fairfield County Food Security Fund was launched with a two-pronged approach: "One of the things we know now is that we are seeing people in food pantry lines who have never been food insecure, who have never had to ask for help in that way before,” she said. In addition to responsive funding for local food network organizations, the fund also seeks to address hunger over the long term by focusing on advocacy and addressing the structural causes of food insecurity. “This is one example where we think that place-based funding is really critical," said Blue Paca. "....Funders who are closest to communities, closest to neighborhoods, closest to households, are really well-positioned to not only know the trusted organizations who are likely to be able to reach the food insecure the fastest, the best, [the] most reliably, but also to have their pulse on where the food insecurity is the greatest in their communities.” Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4dcqsB4

You’re invited! Join us June 11th at 6 pm at Park City Music Hall in Bridgeport for an evening where music meets purpose, hosted by FCCF’s Youth Philanthropy Council. Come enjoy live entertainment, create connections, and support a great cause. Every ticket will support youth-led efforts to expand educational opportunities across Fairfield County. Stay tuned for more updates! ☀️ Mark your calendars and look for tickets to go on sale soon! 🎟️ Any Questions? Email us at: [email protected] #musichall #connecticut #liveentertainement #ctevents

📢 NEW GRANT OPPORTUNITY: 🎨 🏫 Arts Education for Systems Change in Fairfield County! A total of $200,000 in grant funding is allocated to support a few select grantees with a one-time grant, with an intended average award amount of $50,000 each. 🔜 Get the details! Join our 1-hour informational webinar Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at Noon. We'll share eligibility criteria, strategic alignment, and more. Grant application portal opens April 9, 2026. Webinar Registration: https://bit.ly/418x7qx PLEASE NOTE: This webinar will not be recorded. If you can't attend and need more information? Email Alli Ganim, Senior Program Associate, at [email protected].

📣 Deadline Extended! Apply by April 15th for FCCF's scholarships for college or vocational training! 💰 Over 150 scholarships are available to help Fairfield County students pursue their dreams and strengthen the future of our communities. Think you or someone you know may qualify? Help us get the word out! More info and application link in bio.

You got in. You said yes. You have plans for this fall. Now let’s make sure money is not what stands between you and where you are going. The FCCF Scholarship Program is open right now, and over 150 scholarships are available for Fairfield County students ready to take the next step. Whether you are a graduating senior heading to college for the first time or a current college student fighting to stay in, there is funding here for you. Scholarships Available: 💰 For students who attend specific Fairfield County high schools 💰 For graduating high school seniors 💰 For current college students Four-year university. Community college. Vocational training. If you are a Fairfield County student investing in your future, you may qualify. 📆 The deadline is April 8, 2026. Do not wait. Apply now or share this with someone who needs to see it today. Learn more and apply at fccfoundation.org/eligibility #FairfieldCounty #ScholarshipOpportunity #CollegeBound

Big win for students! Connecticut’s H.B. 5158, An Act Prohibiting Scholarship Displacement advanced out of the Higher Education committee last week - a big step toward making college more accessible and affordable. Scholarship displacement happens when colleges reduce a student’s financial aid package after they receive outside scholarships, essentially penalizing students for working hard to fund their education. This bill says, “Not anymore.” Key takeaways from last week’s vote: - Passed unanimously - Broad bipartisan support from the committee - Students and advocacy organizations have been pushing hard for this change - Levels the playing field for institutions already doing the right thing As one legislator stated, this is a matter of fairness. Students who earn scholarships deserve to keep the benefit of that hard work. Now, support is needed to move this bill forward in the CT House of Representatives. How you can help: Contact your CT state legislator and ask them to sign onto this bill. Pop in your ZIP Code to find your legislator and send them a message: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp Pro tip: Don’t forget to include their assistant(s)/clerk(s) to the email Share this post! Photo credit: CT Mirror. Find the link to their story here! /2025/03/17/ct-higher-education-committee-bills/

♀️ This Women's History Month, we honor the life and legacy of Susan M. Ross, a Fairfield County philanthropic icon and the first woman to lead the Community Foundation. ➡️ Learn more about this inspirational leader and the enduring impact of her commitment to the nonprofit sector and the community at large: https://bit.ly/4upU8T6

Today we celebrate the women across Fairfield County whose leadership, ideas, and dedication help strengthen our community every day. 💙 Happy International Women’s Day.💙

📣 Apply today for FCCF's Scholarships for college or vocational training! 📆 Deadline is April 8, 2026 💰 Over 150 scholarships are available to help Fairfield County students pursue their dreams and strengthen the future of our communities. Think you or someone you know may qualify? Help us get the word out! More info and application link in bio.

🎇 This Black History month, we’re spotlighting voices of our SOUL Fund members as they reflect a shared commitment: investing together to strengthen Black communities in Fairfield County. 🎬 Join the giving circle by this Friday, Feb 28 and help make Black history through local collective action and grantmaking. 🔗 Start here: https://bit.ly/46Qm1td #FairfieldCountyForward

“If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” — Shirley Chisholm Fairfield County’s Community Foundation joins our region in mourning the passing of Carolyn Vermont, a community champion whose legacy of advocacy fundamentally shaped our community. Carolyn was a dedicated leader who understood that systemic change requires both a seat at the table and the courage to speak for others. At FCCF, we had the distinct privilege of partnering with Carolyn over many years. A long-time supporter and partner in our programming and initiatives, she was a vital and joyful presence and contributed valuable insights to our mission. During her time in our Center for Nonprofit Excellence Leading for Change cohort, Carolyn noted that the value of leadership was the opportunity to "offer support and advice to each other." Carolyn’s leadership was defined by professional excellence and a transformative, positive energy. While we mourn the loss of a distinguished colleague, we remain inspired by her unwavering dedication to a creating more opportunity for all in our region. Our deepest condolences are with her family, her colleagues, and the many communities she served with distinction.