Connections - No. 3, 2025

News from The Community Foundation

December 29, 2025

Download a PDF of the full newsletter HERE or scroll for links to individual stories.

A woman speaks at a podium on a stage decorated with colorful floral arrangements and geometric backdrops, addressing an audience seated at tables during an indoor event.

One Year In: A Reflection From President & CEO Karen DuBois-Walton

November marked one year since I stepped into the role of President & CEO of The Community Foundation. Anniversaries invite reflection — and this one arrives at a moment when our community, our nation, and our democracy face profound challenges. READ MORE

Five men wearing blue shirts and gloves stand around a table in a kitchen, peeling and chopping sweet potatoes together, as part of a group volunteer activity.

Grants for Basic Needs Top $2M in 2025

Changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program put as many as 58,000 CT families at risk of losing aid for food. In response to the growing need, The Foundation’s Basic Needs Fund recently awarded $425,000 to 44 local nonprofits serving residents who need basic daily essentials to survive. READ MORE

A diverse group of women smiling and posing together in front of a purple Women & Girls step-and-repeat banner at an indoor event.

30 Years of “Vision in Action”

In November, the Community Fund for Women & Girls held its 30th Anniversary “Vision in Action” Celebration and Luncheon at the Omni Hotel in New Haven. 300+ community partners, donors and friends gathered to mark the milestone and to hear an electrifying keynote from Vanessa Priya Daniel, organizer, movement builder and author. READ MORE

A vintage yellow trolley with the number 775 travels on tracks surrounded by green trees and tall grass under overhead power lines on a sunny day.

Organization Funds at The Foundation Top $162M

For 30+ years, The Community Foundation has offered nonprofit organizations and other charitable entities the opportunity to invest their own assets right alongside The Foundation’s endowment. The service provides nonprofits with cost effective access to world-class investment management, allowing them to focus on their mission while ensuring long-term stability through prudent management of their assets. READ MORE

Six smiling women pose in front of a modern building; five women, dressed in red tops, are holding and lifting a man in a blue shirt, who is smiling and waving, creating a joyful, playful scene.

Remembering Frances “Bitsie” Clark, Champion of Local Artists and Community

Bitsie Clark was a powerhouse. She served as executive director of the Arts Council of Greater New Haven for nearly two decades. She is credited with being one of the founders of the Audubon Arts District, and a driving force in establishing the arts as an important economic industry in the region. READ MORE

Two older men wearing name tags smile at the camera at an indoor social event. Other people mingle in the background. Colorful abstract art hangs on the walls behind them.

Emeritus Circle Engages Board, Past and Present

Board members from the past three decades reconnected with each other at The Foundation’s launch of its new Emeritus Circle. The Emeritus Circle honors the lasting contributions of past board leaders while activating their wisdom and continued commitment to justice and community impact. READ MORE

Five people stand indoors at a podium with the Connecticut Secretary of State seal; one woman speaks while others listen, holding papers, in front of a blue backdrop and large windows.

The Foundation Prioritizes Civic Health

Strengthening the civic health of Greater New Haven is central to The Foundation’s strategy to advance opportunity and equity. “Philanthropy is strongest when it strengthens the civic fabric of a community, connecting people to one another, building understanding and empowering residents to shape the future of the place they call home,” says President & CEO Karen DuBois-Walton. READ MORE

A collage of four images: a boy playing youth basketball, a man handing out Thanksgiving dinners from a car, three men with a new van, and a student using a laptop at Gateway Community College.

What Do These Have in Common?

Youth basketball at the Boys & Girls Club.
Free Thanksgiving dinners.
A new van for the Milford Senior Center.
Laptops for Gateway Community College students.

Each of these community programs was supported by a local donor through their donor advised fund at The Community Foundation, the area’s charitable resource for almost 100 years. If you too want to give with impact, locally or beyond, we can help! LEARN MORE