VCF 2016 Community Grants Awarded

Derby, CT (May 17, 2016) - The Valley Community Foundation (VCF) announces that $27,305 has been awarded through its Community Grants program to 13 community groups serving the Valley.

Shelton Farmers MarketApplications for VCF's Community Grants Program are considered through a request for proposal process that occurs in the Spring of each year for groups or organizations that serve Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and/or Shelton and have less than two full-time or less than four part-time staff. Grants can be for new or recurring programs and support civic and community engagement efforts. These grants range from $250 to $2,500 and will improve museum exhibitions, distribute food to families in need, assist the hearing impaired and enable students to tour college campuses.

"VCF is proud to support these 13 organizations with nearly $30,000 in Community Grants," said Sharon Closius, President & CEO of the Valley Community Foundation. "Community Grants are responsive to groups that are volunteer or nonprofit in nature with very limited staffing capacity and serve our five-town region. Using this grant support, these small, dedicated organizations can make a big difference in our community."

Annual Thanksgiving - To support the purchase of perishable and non-perishable food items for distribution of Thanksgiving baskets to fifty families in need. $2,000

City of Derby, Youth Service Bureau - To support "Before You Text," a new sexting prevention curriculum for Derby middle and high school students. $2,500

College Access for All Kids, Inc. - To support access to colleges, universities and other higher education possibilities to middle and high school students in Ansonia and Derby. $2,500

House of Prayer - To support the distribution of food and clothing in the Valley. $1,550

Kidnetic Clubhouse - To support the purchase of a Kids' Corsair to serve as a mobile exhibit at various community events, fairs and festivals. The Corsair is scheduled to become a permanent exhibit in the Kidnetic Clubhouse once a final location has been selected. $2,500

Restoring Hope Ministry - To promote family-focused activities and experiences designed to build strong bonds and relationships. $2,100

Seymour Soccer Association - To support the cost of providing Futsal training to youth in the Town of Seymour and surrounding communities to help develop soccer. $2,000

Shelton Farmers Market Association - To support awareness building. $2,000

Southford Falls Quilt Guild - To support classes, team workshops, speakers and instructors who will educate members and enhance quilting skills. $2,500

St. Joseph Catholic Church - To support CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training, a Heart Wellness Education program and the purchase of an AED replacement battery. $555

St. Thomas Parish Nurse Program, Oxford - To support the purchase of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), CPR AED training and Health & Wellness Education programs & screenings. $2,100

Valley Deaf Club - To support expanding programs for sports and workshops for Deaf Club members. $2,500

Youth 2 Youth - To support the cost of sending as many high school students as possible to the Youth 2 Youth National conference in RI. $2,500.00

About the Valley Community Foundation:

Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation distributes hundreds of thousands of grant dollars each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves. In addition to grantmaking, 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 funding from The Gates Fund and other preference funds at TCF. 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.