On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of its founding, The Community Foundation presented a series called “From the Start” — a history of investing in good ideas and talented people.

Since 1928, Foundation funds have started and sustained successful nonprofits and created and funded crucial collaboratives and inclusive coalitions.

You will find stories about the founding of an organization serving people with the then newly-identified disease of AIDS; a group of visionary women who believed New Haven could be the next Spoleto; a philanthropist who found a way to recognize outstanding individual effort to nourish the partnership between Yale and the community; and many more.

A group of two adults and three children, all smiling, pose outdoors under umbrellas. The children wear matching orange t-shirts, and the adults wear blue shirts. Green trees are visible in the background.

From the Start: LEAP ›

Now in its third decade, LEAP continues to mentor the inquisitive youth who come for after-school and summer programs.

Two people unload and pass boxes labeled City Harvest from a truck in front of a building, working together to distribute food or supplies.

From the Start: New Haven Food Salvage Project ›

It all started with the potato skins served at a New Haven restaurant on Elm Street.

A smiling chef in a white uniform and black hat stands in a commercial kitchen, serving food from a tray. Stainless steel equipment and baked goods are visible in the background.

From the Start: ConnCAT ›

Transforming lives through market relevant training and a supportive community.

A group of sixteen women pose together, smiling in front of a gray mottled backdrop. Most are standing, while four women are seated at the front. They wear colorful business-casual clothing.

From the Start: Project Access ›

Project Access-New Haven (PA-NH) plays an important role in our local healthcare system by mobilizing a vast network of donated healthcare services to ensure timely access to care.

A brick building with arched windows and a turret, warmly lit from inside, is pictured at night against a dark sky and silhouetted trees.

From the Start: The Valley Community Foundation ›

For more than six decades, The Community Foundation's work in the Lower Naugatuck Valley has honored the intent of the Gates brothers' Fund, most notably through the Valley Community Foundation.

Two women smile at a baby, who looks up at them. They appear happy and engaged, with a Healthy Start banner visible in the background.

From the Start: New Haven Healthy Start ›

Since 1997, the New Haven Healthy Start has worked hard to reduce the infant mortality and morbidity rate in the City of New Haven.

From the Start: DataHaven ›

For 25 years, DataHaven has been the go-to data resource for professionals across public and social service sectors.

A group of six smiling people, including children and adults, enjoy eating hot dogs together outdoors on a grassy area with water and trees in the background. Everyone looks happy and relaxed.

From the Start: 'r kids Family Center ›

'r kids Family Center has been going strong for more than two decades and The Foundation has been there from the start.

From the Start: Trowbridge Environmental Center ›

Visitors learn about East Rock's wildlife, geology, and history at the Trowbridge Environmental Center that was created thanks in part to funding from the Hayes Q. Trowbridge Fund at The Community Foundation was established by bequest of .

A group of six smiling students pose together holding banners for UConn, Western Connecticut State University, and Central Connecticut State University at a college event.

From the Start: New Haven Promise and The Promise of A Brighter Future ›

New Haven Promise, launched in 2010, now provides nearly $4 million annually in scholarships to graduates of New Haven Public Schools.

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