Valley Community Foundation Awards Responsive Grants to 22 Area Nonprofits

August 06, 2024

Derby, CT -- The Valley Community Foundation (VCF) is pleased to announce the completion of its recent Responsive Grants cycle, awarding more than $404,400 to 22 different Valley-based nonprofits.  

This grant cycle saw an unprecedented amount requested from Valley nonprofit organizations, more than $1.6 million. This surge in demand compelled VCF to make some hard decisions regarding the allocation of funds. 

"The sheer magnitude requested this year was unlike anything we've seen before,” said Sharon Closius, VCF’s President and CEO. “It was incredibly difficult for us to prioritize funding with so many worthy projects. However, we are grateful for the generosity of our fundholders who partnered with us to meet some of the most critical needs." 

Three critical need requests have received targeted donor support thanks to the generosity of dedicated Valley families with Donor Advised Funds at VCF: 

  1. The Warichar Family joined VCF to fully fund a three-year request by the Valley Emergency Medical Services for the replacement of its cardiac (heart) monitors, 
  2. Karen Meade Bentlage joined VCF with multi-year support to fund both the Julia Day Nursery of Ansonia and Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County, and 
  3. The Bassett Family fully funded a three-year grant for the Valley Independent Sentinel. 

"We are deeply thankful to the Warichar, Bassett, and Bentlage families for their unwavering commitment to our community,” Closius said. “Their generosity ensures that essential services and programs can continue to thrive and serve those in need.” 

VCF is also grateful to partner with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven in its annual Responsive Grants Program.  For the past several years, responsive grants have provided organizations with General Operating Support which gives nonprofits flexibility to direct their spending where it is needed most. 

“We are truly fortunate to have such dedicated staff assisting with the review and processing of all of our Responsive Grants,” said Valerie Knight-Di Gangi, VCF’s Director of Programs.  “We have all come to appreciate how impactful providing these unrestricted dollars to our Valley nonprofits as well as those in Greater New Haven.  It has been a great effort for all involved.” 

VCF Responsive Grantees for 2024: 

  1. Adam Wysota Foundation -- $34,000 over three years. 
  2. Area Congregations Together -- $75,000 over three years.  
  3. BHcare -- $60,000 over three years. 
  4. Boys and Girls of the Lower Naugatuck Valley -- $75,000 over three years. 
  5. cARTie -- $9,750.  
  6. Center Stage Theatre -- $60,000 over three years. 
  7. Cornell Scott Hill Health Corporation -- $30,000 over three years 
  8. Hope Counseling -- $10,000. 
  9. Housatonic Council Boy Scouts of America -- $19,500. 
  10. Julia Day Nursery -- $60,000 over three years. 
  11. Junior Achievement of Southwest CT -- $75,000 over three years. 
  12. Life Health Wellness Center -- $19,500. 
  13. Massaro Community Farm -- $6,500. 
  14. Online Journalism Project (Valley Independent Sentinel) -- $75,000 over three years. 
  15. Rape Crisis Center of Milford -- $3,900. 
  16. Salvation Army of the Valley -- $60,000 over three years. 
  17. Shelton Historical Society -- $14,950. 
  18. St. Vincent de Paul of the Valley -- $20,800 
  19. TEAM, Inc. -- $50,000. 
  20. Traveler on a Mission -- $6,500. 
  21. Valley YMCA (Coastal CT YMCA) -- $13,000. 
  22. Valley Emergency Medical Services -- $120,000 over three years.