Contamination of the Quinnipiac River was once so great that it prompted the first pollution control measure in Connecticut and the eventual creation of the first sewage treatment plant in the State. It was also the subject of a lawsuit against the Upjohn Company concerning wastewater discharges from Upjohn's plant in North Haven. The lawsuit resulted in a settlement in 1990 that created the Quinnipiac River Fund at The Community Foundation, making the River the first in the nation to have an endowment that generates income to protect it and its surrounding environment. Grants are made each year from the fund for grant
proposals that:
- Research what pollutants are in the Quinnipiac River
- Research methods of reducing pollution, or otherwise improving the
Quinnipiac River's environmental health
- Address means of reducing both non-point and point sources of pollution to
the River
- Research the permitting process and look at the permits themselves
- Entail environmental advocacy, except litigation
- Study the ecology of the Quinnipiac River and the New Haven Harbor
- Provide public education about the Quinnipiac River and its watershed
- Purchase land on the Quinnipiac River for conservation purposes, or to
reduce pollution and improve public access to the River.
The 2012 grant application deadline has passed.
A grant in 2010 to Catalyst Studios launched a photo-based awareness campaign about the consequences of poor stewardship of the River. The pictorial exhibit started at New Haven’s City Hall and traveled to towns that abut the lower part of the River, including North Haven, Wallingford, and Meriden. It ended in 2010 at the Capitol in Hartford, CT. For more information and to view photos from the exhibit, please visit www.considerthequinnipiac.com.
2011 Quinnipiac River Grants
2010 Quinnipiac River Grants
Connecticut Fund for the Environment
Est. 1994 with a gift from Brooks M. Kelley for the benefit of The Connecticut Fund for the Environment.
Ecology, Environment & Alternative Energy Research Prize Fund
Est. 2006 to benefit the New Haven Citywide Science Fair, run by Yale and the New Haven Public Schools, for the purpose of awarding prizes for projects that focus on ecology, the environment or energy alternatives that would improve the environment.
Edgerton Park Conservancy Fund
Est. 2003 by the Edgerton Park Conservancy.
Environment & Human Health Inc. Fund
Est. 2001 by an environmental advocate to protect human health from environmental harms.
Friends of East Rock Park Fund
Est. 1998 by transfer of assets by Friends of East Rock Park.
Garden Club of New Haven Fund
Est. 1983 for proper care and maintenance of the trees on the New Haven Green and other public parks and neighborhoods in New Haven.
New Haven Green Fund
Est. 2010 as a publicly supported agency endowment fund for the benefit of New Haven Green Fund, Inc.
Winkler C. Gosch & Virginia D. Gosch Fund
Est. 2006 by bequest to benefit The Audubon Society of the State of CT; the 
National Wildlife Federation; Children’s Inc.; Defenders of Wildlife; The Environmental Defense Fund; Courage Center, specifically to assist handicapped people wishing to become radio amateurs; The Nature Conservancy, CT Chapter; the World Wildlife Fund; Friends of Animals; The Humane Society of the United States; and the National Humane Education Society.
The Kelley Memorial Fund
Est. 2004 in memory of Brooks R. Kelley by Brooks M. & Suzanne Kelley for the benefit of the Connecticut Fund for the Environment.
Outer Island Fund for Education & Research
Est. 1995 by Elizabeth Hird to support the environmental, educational and research programs based on Outer Island, one of the Thimble Islands in Branford, CT.
Quinnipiac River Fund
Est. 1990 as a result of a settlement between the National Resources Defense Council, Connecticut Fund for the Environment and the Upjohn Corporation to improve the environmental quality of Quinnipiac River, the New Haven Harbor, and their watersheds and otherwise benefit the environment of these resources.
Naomi Law Terrell Foundation Fund
Est. 2005 by bequest to provide funding for programs for the protection of birds and bird habitats in Connecticut, including but not limited to, programs or activities sponsored by groups such as the Nature Conservancy, Quinnipiac Valley Chapter of the National Audubon Society, North American Wildlife Association and the National Audubon Society.