2026 Give Local Gear Up Party

Kathy Taylor, President & CEO of Connecticut Community Foundation (center) with presenting sponsors Terrence Floyd, Vice President and Senior Social Impact Specialist for Philanthropy and Social Impact of Wells Fargo (left) and Dave Rotatori, President and CEO of ION Bank.  

On April 14, the Foundation hosted our second annual ‘Gear Up’ party to celebrate our community of nonprofits and the generous donors and businesses that support GIVE LOCAL Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills —our annual 36-hour online give-a-thon event. GIVE LOCAL, the signature fundraiser for Connecticut Community Foundation, is in its 14th year, and—to date—has raised more than $19.2 million for nonprofits serving the Foundation’s 21-town region. In 2026, our goal is to raise a record-breaking $3 million!

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Over 150 buoyant guests joined the Gear Up Party at La Bella Vista in Waterbury to spark excitement and build momentum for this season of what emcee James Higgins, President and CEO of Skyline Federal Credit Union and proud trustee of the Foundation, called “the 3 Gs —Giving, Gratitude, and Game-changing generosity!”

Board Chair Kathy Bower reminded the audience that Give Local isn’t just about raising money, it’s about raising HOPE. “It’s a reminder about who we are — generous, passionate, and deeply connected.”

Several local municipal leaders and elected officials joined the celebration, and were thanked for their support of Give Local through town-wide communications and networking with nonprofits to create an environment in which people can thrive and prosper.

In 2026, Give Local’s presenting sponsors are ION Bank Foundation—which has been a steadfast and strong supporter of Give Local from its inception and has donated more than half a million dollars in sponsorship, joined by first-time presenting sponsor Wells Fargo, whom we hope will be with us for many years to come! We are thrilled that Dave Rotatori, President and CEO of ION Bank, and Terence Floyd, Vice President and Senior Social Impact Specialist for Philanthropy and Social Impact at Wells Fargo joined our Gear Up celebration. We are deeply gratified by their leadership and their support of this community.

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Kathy Taylor, President and CEO of Connecticut Community Foundation reminded the crowd “we are all in this room together because we believe in something bigger than ourselves.” And she spoke of the real need in the community: “Right now, across this region, nonprofits are standing in gaps that have never been wider. Government funding has been cut. Systems are strained. And the organizations in this room — and the hundreds more who couldn’t be here tonight — are still showing up. Every single day.”

Funds donated to Give Local will help to bridge these gaps – and to prove something important: Even during times that can feel uncertain, troubling, unstable, and deeply divided, generosity lives!

Kathy’s reminders of hope and prosperity were accompanied by a joyous noise of applause, bell-ringing and the VERY big, bold sounds of the John F. Kennedy Marching Eagles Band from Waterbury! Cheers were lead by the small but mighty Tri Valley Cheer squad from Naugatuck.

And with spirits high and a great sense of the unity in community, the evening closed in excited anticipation for Give Local to begin on April 21! With every dollar raised by the Foundation going back into the community to serve our neighbors, we are hopeful to meet—and surpass—our goal!

Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills begins at 7:00 a.m. on April 21 and ends April 22 at 7:00 p.m. 


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