Since 1928, donors to The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven have built the community's endowment consisting of over 700 funds and distributing approximately $14 million in grants annually. The Foundation is the community's permanent endowment and has been helping donors achieve their charitable goals and improving the quality of life for Greater New Haven and Lower Naugatuck Valley residents for more than 80 years.
Foundation funds distribute grants to non-profit organizations (individual scholarships are awarded directly to the educational institution attended by the student). The Foundation remains the largest grantmaker in its 20 town service-area of: 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.
The Community Foundation is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization, and as such is exempt from federal income tax; donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
The first community foundation was established in Cleveland in 1914 as an enduring organization that would wisely distribute grants from permanent funds for future generations. In 1928 New Haven citizens were among the first to adopt the Cleveland model for this community. Today there are over 700 community foundations across the United States and internationally, with combined assets of approximately $35 billion.
Most funds established at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven are set up by individuals. These individuals, like you, have a common desire to give back to the community – to heal the ill, relieve suffering, protect the environment, celebrate the arts, support a local religious institution, create opportunities, fund new ideas... anything— into the indefinite future.
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven provides much more than the check writing services of a gift fund at a brokerage house. One of the most significant advantages to setting up a fund with us is our knowledge about, and experience in, the Greater New Haven and Lower Naugatuck Valley communities. The Foundation manages the impact of your philanthropy — not just the numbers in your account. Grants from your fund will go only to well-vetted nonprofits and programs we know are meeting high standards of performance. These are the organizations in New Haven and its surrounding communities that (1) get great results, (2) have brilliant ideas and (3) demonstrate good governance and tight financial controls.
A volunteer group of
eleven community leaders serves as the Foundation’s Board of Directors and are supported by a professional staff led by President and CEO, William W. Ginsberg.
The 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 Foundation has implemented disciplined and integrated spending and investment policies.
There are
multiple funding opportunities available to non-profits 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.