Chris Brooks
Said Chris Brooks, “When it came to crafting my estate plan, I wanted to be sure that—after taking care of my family—my resources stayed in the community. That’s why I’m working with the Foundation to plan for gifts I want to make during my lifetime and after I’m gone.”  Read more

Why Give Through Us

Our long history and deep roots in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills enable us to connect donors to the local causes they care about most and strengthen the nonprofit organizations who are working side-by-side with neighbors to create lasting change. Whether in education, the arts, the environment, health care or many other areas, by giving together, we are a greater force for good.

Whether you create your own charitable fund or give directly to an existing fund or issue area, with Connecticut Community Foundation, you can expect:

Local knowledge

We are true partners with local leaders and businesses, community groups, nonprofit organizations, financial advisors and schools, and we treasure these authentic and trusting collaborations.

Personal service

We help you develop a personal, customized giving plan that fulfills your vision and will have the greatest possible impact on the communities you love.

Experience

Our professional donor services and grantmaking staff are available to share their knowledge of local community issues with you, answer your questions and handle all the administrative details of your philanthropy.

Stability

We help build funds that support local communities over decades, meeting needs as they change over time.

Grantmaking assistance

Based on careful research and broad knowledge of community issues, we award hundreds of grants every year to local organizations and scholarship recipients. You can be as hands-on as you wish with your gifts or you can trust us to direct your money to effective organizations and programs.

Creative and flexible giving options

You can choose from a full menu of charitable giving options that help you accomplish your charitable goals and maximize tax advantages.

Expert investment management

We manage your fund, invest it for growth and always honor your philanthropic wishes.

Lasting impact

Funds that you endow at Connecticut Community Foundation will be granted to the community as you have directed— now and forever.

We can work with you

For nearly a century, we have partnered with hundreds of individuals, nonprofit organizations, and private foundations to channel charitable dollars to their most effective uses throughout our region. Whether you want to create a charitable fund to meet community needs, provide a steady income stream or ready assets for particular organization or find help to more effectively and efficiently carry out your family’s philanthropy, we are ready to work with you.

Through Connecticut Community Foundation, you can:

  • Create a personal plan for your charitable giving, now and through your estate plan.
  • Establish a fund or contribute to an existing fund that matches your charitable goals.
  • Depend on our knowledge of the community and the organizations and programs that serve it.
  • Trust in our long history of responsible investment, financial stewardship and grantmaking.
Partner with us to:

  • Invest your cash reserves in a nonprofit agency-advised fund and access the assets when you need them.
  • Establish and build a permanent endowment.
  • Raise funds for a major project.
  • Encourage your donors to establish designated funds that will benefit your organization forever.
Rely on our expertise and experience to:

  • Help with administration, investment, financial oversight, governance or grantmaking.
  • Donate part of your foundation’s annual distributions to a fund at Connecticut Community Foundation,
  • Convert your foundation to a donor-advised fund at Connecticut Community Foundation, reducing your expenses and administrative burdens and increasing the tax benefits of gifts to your fund.
Heidi Green
To begin exploring your options, please contact:
Cynthia Merrick, Director of Development
cmerrick@conncf.org | 203.753.1315, x112