Valley Community Foundation Awards Nearly $890,000 in Single- and Multi-Year Grants

Amour Propre Fund President Lindy Lee Gold speaks outside The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. Photo credit: New Haven Independent

July 30, 2020 - Derby, CT - The Valley Community Foundation (VCF) is pleased to announce that $884,900 has been awarded to 10 organizations as a result of its 2020 Responsive Grants process. These are single and multi-year grants that will help provide a reliable source of funding during a time of financial uncertainty.

"On behalf of the Valley Community Board of Directors, we are proud to serve as a trusted and meaningful source of stability for the region's nonprofits during such an unprecedented time of widespread need," said Donald Smith, Jr., VCF Board Chair. "Due to COVID-19 and social distancing policies, the business operations of local nonprofits have been upended. Many fundraising events could not take place this year, programs were cut in some cases, and new responsive measures were implemented to assist those in the Valley facing the pandemic. These organizations are lifelines for both the individuals and families being affected by the pandemic, those living and working the Valley, and the region as a whole."

Grants were awarded through VCF's Responsive Grantmaking cycle, which is done with its partner in philanthropy, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (TCF). The program is funded by a generous annual grant from TCF's Gates and other field of interest funds, as well as VCF's unrestricted and field of interest funds.

In response to COVID-19, VCF worked with TCF to rapidly deploy funding not only through its responsive grants program but through its other grants processes as well. The timeline for grantmaking decisions was reduced as part of changes to the joint responsive grants process. As a result, nonprofits have been able to get much needed support in an even more timely fashion, which has been especially important during the pandemic.

The Responsive Grant process is the only VCF grant program that offers a multi-year commitment. This year's support, combined with previous commitments, makes 2020 the largest Responsive Grant cycle in VCF's history for a total of $1,211,300. Multi-year grants deliver predictable financial stability to area nonprofits, something that is critical during the evolving uncertainties related to COVID-19. The VCF Board is closely monitoring the growing needs throughout the Valley and will continue to use its resources to have the greatest impact.

A majority of Responsive Grants were awarded for general operating support this year. This unrestricted funding is granted to nonprofit organizations with the flexibility to use dollars where they are needed the most. VCF has proudly supported numerous regional nonprofits throughout the years with this type of funding to make the Valley a better place for all.

The following is a list of 2020 VCF Responsive Grant recipients:

Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley - To provide general operating support for cultural, recreational, physical, and educational programs to Valley youth. $160,000

Central Connecticut Coast YMCA - To provide general operating support for the Valley YMCA programming that builds healthy spirit, mind, and body for Valley youth. $140,000

Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center (FANCI) - To support the renovation and expansion of the reptile and amphibian habitat exhibit at the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center. $25,000

Housatonic Council, Boy Scouts of America - To provide general operating support for scouting programs for Valley youth. $130,000

Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven - To provide general operating support for adult literacy tutoring in Greater New Haven and the Valley. $60,000

Massaro Community Farm - To provide general operating support to maintain a historic farm using organic practices, to provide fresh produce to the needy, and to build community through farm-based education and events. $4,400

Online Journalism Project - To provide general operating support for The Valley Independent Sentinel to provide timely, accurate, and professional news to the Valley community. $160,000

Oxford Historical Society, Inc. - To support repairs of Mr. Munn's Schoolhouse. $12,500

Shelton Historical Society - To support repairs of the Shelton History Center complex. $13,100

TEAM, Inc. - To provide general operating support for multigenerational service delivery system focused on support services, early childhood, and elderly services. $180,000

For more information about VCF's grant programs, please call 203-751-9162, or visit www.valleyfoundation.org.

About the Valley Community Foundation

Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation (VCF) distributes $1.6 million in grants each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves. VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (TCF), to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton and receives a majority of its discretionary funding as a result of The Gates Fund and other preference funds at TCF that benefit the Valley. To learn how your gifts of cash, life insurance, appreciated stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets can help to support the quality of life in the Valley, please visit the website at www.valleyfoundation.org or contact VCF President, Sharon Closius, at sclosius@valleyfoundation.org or 203-751-9162.