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 Youth Philanthropist Program is a grants initiative targeting high school students, teaching them about nonprofit organizations' role in the community and guiding them in impactful philanthropic decision-making. Participants learn through a structured curriculum, engage in grant-making processes, review grant requests, make funding decisions, and participate in a fundraising effort. The program aims to foster social and philanthropic responsibility, complementing direct community service and volunteerism initiatives. It culminates in an annual grant award event where students present awards to selected nonprofits.