At the Foundation, we’re Daring to Thrive! At our Annual Meeting in September, we came together as a community to reflect, celebrate, and look ahead. With the theme Dare to Thrive, we honored the resilience and vision of our strong yet strained nonprofits, generous and faithful donors, and committed and steadfast neighbors and volunteers who inspire and challenge us every day. Together, we recognized the progress made, what is at risk of being lost, and the bold opportunities that lie ahead. I am deeply grateful to all who joined us for such a special evening.
And while our Annual Meeting could only hold so many, our vision for a more prosperous Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills has no limits — it can hold us all. We invite each of you into this good, amazingly beautiful work as we dare to be more, do more, give more.
At the Foundation, we are never tempted to feel defeated or hopeless. We choose hope, courage, and community instead. We answer with action, resilience, and purpose as we boldly, confidently, and joyfully dare to thrive together.
Special thanks to the young people of 3D Music Academy in Waterbury and their dedicated instructors and mentors. Their voices raised in confidence and hopefulness lifted all of us up!
Welcome New Board Members
We are thrilled to welcome (L-R above) Patricia Lindenman, Dr. Steven Minkler and William Rybczyk to serve their first term on our Board of Trustees. They join James A. Higgins, Janie L. McDermott and Adrienne Parkmond, who are serving their second term starting this year. We deeply appreciate their commitment to the Foundation and their leadership within our community, and we look forward to continuing our shared work to serve and strengthen Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills.
Thank You To Kathy Brochhausen
Kathy Brochhausen (above right), Executive Director of Ion Bank Foundation, stands as a testament to the enduring partnership between Ion and Connecticut Community Foundation. We are grateful for her years of service and her steady friendship to the Foundation. Kathy served her final term as Connecticut Community Foundation trustee in 2025. As a tribute to Kathy’s exceptional service, the Foundation will donate to a nonprofit of Kathy’s choice.
Trustee Fund Awards Announced
The Trustee Fund is a collective giving circle, established in 2014, of former and current trustees who want to stay engaged, to pool resources, and to continue supporting the Foundation’s community focus. This year’s 2025 Trustee Fund winners were each awarded $5,000 for their innovative and collaborative work to benefit the community. Examples include:
Jane Doe No More: A Musical Journey of Inspiration and Triumph.
Through music, storytelling, and performance, this project breaks through silence and blends the performing arts with survivor advocacy—sparking healing, education, and change.
Mattatuck Museum:
For more than ten years, the Mattatuck Museum has partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association to create a space of connection, creativity, and care for those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Each month, through a program called Memories @ The Matt, participants and caregivers come together, tour the exhibitions, share conversation, and end with an art activity designed to relax, inspire, and spark creativity.
