The Community Fund of Darien

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
~Anne Frank

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Our Community Improving Lives

WW II veteran and former Darien business owner, Fred Kelsey has thrived at ElderHouse where he enjoys playing cards and singing. ElderHouse is one of 27 agencies funded by The Community Fund. Click here to see other people whose lives have been improved by the work of The Community Fund.

 

Darien people providing strategic and financial leadership to help people in need in Darien, Stamford and Norwalk.


What's New?

The Community Fund announces over $660,000 in Grants

At a Grant Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 27th, The Community Fund announced grants from its annual allocations process of $640,000 to 26 agencies.  In addition, small grants of $22,000 and Youth Community Fund grants of $5,000 were presented.  Executive Director Kiki Karpen said, "We are so pleased to be making this kind of impact in our community to support health and human service needs in Stamford, Darien and Norwalk"                 For more information ...more

 

Community Volunteers were recognized at the 31st Annual Darien Volunteer Recognition Luncheon

Over 50 community volunteers were nominated by local organizations and recognized at the Annual Salute to Darien Volunteers on May 14th.  First Selectman David Campbell proclaimed the day, "Volunteer Recognition Day in Darien".  The Obie Harrington Howes Community Spirit award was presented to Joe Viesta in honor of his community devotion and commitment.

                                                                                                                                   For more information ...more

Thriving Youth: Connected Community

Darien youth were surveyed to gain perspective regarding their experiences and perceptions of growing up in this community.

Over 1700 Darien students in grades 7-12 took The Survey of Student Resources and Assets in Nov. 2008. A major portion of the survey findings relate to Developmental Assets (key elements of healthy human development) as identified by the Search Institute (www.search-institute.org).  The assets are both external (things that other people provide for youth) and internal (things that develop within young people themselves).  These assets are opportunities, skills, relationships, values and self-perceptions that all young people need in their lives. Click here to find out more about one of these assets.

For more information...more


DID YOU KNOW?

Nearly 81% of Fairfield County nonprofits reported decreased and delayed funding and donations between December 2008 and May 2009, while more than half have experienced an increase in demand for services.

In the spring of 2009 the Center for Nonprofit Excellence an initiative of the Fairfield County Community Foundation surveyed nonprofits across Fairfield County representing a broad range of services.  The resulting data provided a snapshot of the direct impact the recession is having on nonprofits and area residents. 

For more information and the report "The Impact of the Recession on Fairfield County Residents and the Nonprofits that Support Them" go to www.fccfoundation.org.