New Canaan Community Foundation serves as the local partner for charitable giving in New Canaan, offering advice, leadership, and facilitation. Since its inception in 1977, the Foundation has focused on investing in impactful local organizations and assisting donors in achieving their philanthropic objectives. It aims to unite the New Canaan community to tackle individual and local challenges, thereby enriching the lives of all its members. The Foundation operates through partnerships with community members, supporting volunteer leaders, mobilizing grants and resources for local needs, and convening community figures to address widespread issues.
The New Canaan Community Foundation’s grant program aims to support a wide range of areas, including Arts, Culture & Community Resources, Health, Human Services, Seniors & Special Needs, and Youth & Education. Through its grantmaking, the foundation focuses on benefiting community members by ensuring access to cultural, recreational, health, and basic needs services, as well as supporting the academic and social development of youth. Additionally, the foundation addresses critical community issues annually, with a recent focus on behavioral health. The grants offered include program, operating, capital, and capacity building grants.