News

Letter: New Canaan Community Foundation Receiving Grant Applications

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Dear Editor,

The New Canaan Community Foundation currently has funding opportunities available for local nonprofit organizations. We want to ensure that potential partners know we are here, and listening to the interests and needs of our community. 

For over 40 years, we’ve invested in programs, capital projects, and the operations and growth of critical local organizations. These organizations span arts & culture; health; human services; seniors & special needs; youth & education—they’re the lifeblood of our community, and we are so fortunate to invest and partner in their work. 

We mobilize thoughtful grant investments, supported by many families across town, chipping in their charitable giving to have a greater impact together. Last year, our generous supporters helped us invest nearly $600,000 in local nonprofits. So that we can continue to strategically respond to local needs, we hope you’ll share our open funding opportunity with worthwhile nonprofit projects and start-up ideas.

News

Letter on Sept. 5 Vigil: ‘A Growing Swell of Support’

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Dear Editor,

September is “back to school” season, back to fall schedules and, for many, back to our community after a busy summer. On Thursday, September 5th, I hope to see hundreds in town back to the Community Addiction Awareness Vigil – the third annual event that has gathered an ever-growing group each year. Since its inception, I’ve witnessed a growing swell of support for the event and—more importantly—for each other. Expect to leave the event inspired, motivated, and proud of our community. There’s much work to be done to grow awareness, resources, and support for anyone facing a mental health or substance misuse challenge.

Lauren Patterson

New Canaan Community Foundation Awards $586,000 in Grants [CORRECTED]

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A New Canaan organization on Wednesday distributed some $586,000 in grants to 78 local and area nonprofits. Recipients of the New Canaan Community Foundation grants ranged from organizations focused on the arts, culture and community resources, to health, human services, seniors, special needs, and youth organizations. The Community Foundation or ‘NCCF’ “works to mobilize people around issues that they care about,” President and CEO Lauren Patterson told NewCanaanite.com from a bustling auditorium at Norwalk Community College, where NCCF held its Grant Awards Ceremony. “In the fall and winter we focus on raising money, and in the spring our volunteers go out to vet the organizations and award the dollars,” Patterson said. This year, the 1977-established NCCF received a record-breaking 96 applications from nonprofit organizations for grants, which were considered by the foundation through a holistic review process, she said.

Around Town

0684-Radi0: Mobilizing New Canaan’s Volunteers and Donor Dollars

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In this installment of 0684-Radi0—free and downloadable here in iTunes—we talk to New Canaan Community Foundation President and CEO Lauren Patterson about the organization’s unique process of involving dozens of residents in reviewing local needs and prioritizing grant funding to address them. This week’s podcast is sponsored by the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, connecting community with commerce. The Chamber hopes to see you at the Sidewalk Sale, coming up July 12 and 13. Here’s more from 0684-Radi0:

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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The Greenwich Free Press is reporting that an arrest warrant has been issued for Heidi Lueders, a former town resident and head of a pit bull rescue organization who has been identified as the subject of an animal cruelty case in Fairfield. 

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New Canaan Police through the department’s Instagram account has issued safety tips for residents making online purchases in order to avoid becoming a victim of package theft. They include signing up for delivery alerts, ensuring someone is ready to collect the package, requiring a signature when possible and having packages sent to a workplace if feasible. ***

Asked about the Tourism and Economic Development Commission he plans to create, First Selectman Kevin Moynihan said locals have expressed strong interest in joining and that, after candidates are approved by local town political committees, the group will see about 15 total members. ***

The town on Wednesday issued an after-the-fact building permit for a $10,000 job at a Putnam Road home. A new bathroom with a shower had been installed in the basement of the home by New Canaan-based Hoffman Contracting LLC, the permit said.