Giving Back
Building a Stronger Greater New Haven - Together
Since 1928, The Community Foundation has helped people give back to their community in meaningful ways. We’re the only charitable community fund focused exclusively on the 20 towns in the Greater New Haven area.
If you’re looking to give back, create a legacy, find funding, or join the conversation you're in the right place.
Turning Generosity into Opportunity for our Community
We put your charitable resources to work. Working together with donors, nonprofits, businesses and community partners, we are creating opportunities in Greater New Haven today and for generations to come.
Giving Back
How We Serve
- Help people make meaningful contributions through donor-advised and other charitable funds, bequests and legacy planning.
- Collaborate to address key issues and opportunities.
- Respond to community needs through grantmaking and partnerships.
- Invest in local businesses to build inclusive economic opportunity.
- Convene to build connections and raise awareness and resources for community needs.
- Inform the community through briefings, storytelling, events, workshops, reports and facilitated conversations.
Our Impact
Your partner in building equitable opportunity in Greater New Haven
We are the only charitable endowment that is dedicated to the Greater New Haven, CT area. With nearly 100 years of service, we have formed deep relationships with local nonprofits and community members.
- Local expertise in the Greater New Haven area.
- Personalized philanthropic guidance for meaningful giving.
- Permanent stewardship to make lasting impact.
- Community leadership to build a stronger future.
News & Events
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Community Foundation?
A community foundation is a nonprofit organization that manages and stewards the pooled contributions of individuals, families, estates, and organizations for the permanent support of charitable work in a local geographic area. Community foundations were created to expand participation in large-scale philanthropy, enabling people of modest means to start permanent charitable funds and ensuring that the funds adapt to meet changing community needs and conditions over time.
What is The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven?
The Community Foundation is the permanent endowment for Connecticut's Greater New Haven region and has been helping donors achieve their charitable goals and improving the quality of life for Greater New Haven since 1928. Foundation funds, often named for an individual or family, distribute more than $30 million in grants collectively each year to nonprofit organizations and community programs. The Community Foundation is recognized by the IRS as an exempt 501(c)(3); donations are tax deductible. You can learn more about The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven here.
Who creates funds at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven?
Most funds established at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven are set up by individuals and families. These people, like you, share a desire to give back to the community – to heal the ill, protect the environment, celebrate the arts, create opportunities, fund new ideas... whatever inspires them — now and into the future.
What towns does the Community Foundation support?
We support 20 towns in the Greater New Haven, CT area: Ansonia, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, Derby, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, Wallingford, West Haven, and Woodbridge.
How does an organization apply for a grant?
There are multiple funding opportunities available through The Community Foundation. Each opportunity has different criteria and schedules. The Foundation welcomes grant requests from Greater New Haven area organizations that are defined as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) or any applicable statute of the Internal Revenue code. The Foundation also has funding opportunities for small for-profit businesses. Learn more about our funding options here.
Who runs The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven?
A volunteer group of eleven community leaders serves as The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors, each for one seven-year term. Board members are selected for their knowledge of the community by six outside appointing authorities and the Board itself. The Board is supported by a professional staff led by President and CEO Karen DuBois-Walton. You can meet the board here.
How does The Community Foundation invest its funds?
The Community Foundation’s investment strategy is that of a total return approach to endowment management. This long-term strategy seeks to provide a predictable, increasing amount of revenue for grantmaking while maintaining the endowment’s purchasing power against the effects of inflation. To achieve these goals, The Community Foundation has implemented disciplined and integrated spending and investment policies. Learn about our investments here.