Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Norwalk, Connecticut, serving the 23 cities and towns of Fairfield County. It works with local organizations and other community partners to advance equitable opportunities and address community challenges.
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc gave $25.7M across 448 grants in 2025 (avg $57K), mostly in Connecticut. 24% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $25,746,170
- +9.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 448
- +0.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $57,469
- +8.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $24,080
- Total assets
- $291,351,607
- +3.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (109 of 448, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (50% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- Invitation Only
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests for some programs: new applicants may apply for capacity-building or small grants, and capacity-building applications are accepted on a rolling basis through a streamlined…
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests for some programs: new applicants may apply for capacity-building or small grants, and capacity-building applications are accepted on a rolling basis through a streamlined online application after an eligibility questionnaire. The Fall 2026 Strategic Partner Grants pool is invitation-only; the website lists no Letter of Intent for either of the two general-operating-support pools.
- Review Cycle
- The Fall 2026 Community Impact Grants deadline is December 31, 2026. The Strategic Partner Grants deadline was September 30, 2026, and has passed.
- Deadline
- The Fall 2026 Community Impact Grants deadline is December 31, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 40 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854
Phone: (203) 750-3200
Website: https://fccfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
10 open opportunities from Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc
Arts Education for Systems Change in Fairfield County
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Impact Fund
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Fairfield County Food Security Fund
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Mothers Against Drunk Driving ($2.0M). Together the top 10 received $6.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
2,276 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,712 grants of 2,276 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves all 23 cities and towns in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Its strategic-grant eligibility guidance requires funding to serve Fairfield County residents. In 2025, 50% of grant dollars went to recipients in Connecticut; other leading recipient states were California (9%), Iowa (8%), New York (7%), and the District of Columbia (5%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 448 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 109 of 448 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $50K; repeat grants $60K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 54% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+19%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $21.7M (2022) to $28.2M (2021). In 2025 it made 448 grants totaling $25.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mothers Against Drunk Driving Des Moines, IA | For General Support | $2,000,000 |
| Heart and Armor Foundation Corte Madre, CA | For General Support | $1,000,000 |
| Optimus Health Care Inc Bridgeport, CT | For General Support | $663,500 |
| American Forests Washington, DC | For General Support | $620,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich Greenwich, CT | For General Support | $567,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Martin County Hobe Sound, FL | For General Support | $500,000 |
| National Urban League New York, NY | For General Support | $470,000 |
| Scholarship America Inc Detroit, MI | For General Support | $411,081 |
| The Foundation for Excellence in Bridgeport Public Schools Bridgeport, CT | For General Support | $342,000 |
| Central Connecticut Coast YMCA New Haven, CT | For General Support | $341,070 |
Ready to take the next step with Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $291,351,607 | $21,278,159 | $32,959,648 | $25,746,170 | 448 | $5,464,664 |
| 2024 | $282,030,622 | $20,262,842 | $31,203,706 | $23,544,066 | 445 | $5,757,204 |
| 2023 | $267,327,634 | $21,897,687 | $30,384,938 | $22,743,759 | 457 | $4,223,407 |
| 2022 | $258,439,176 | $46,758,216 | $29,118,417 | $21,694,151 | 449 | $4,891,061 |
| 2021 | $264,164,706 | $42,534,303 | $34,729,790 | $28,208,426 | 477 | $13,937,046 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to partner with its community to create a county where every person has an equitable opportunity to thrive. Its work includes youth education and careers, income and asset building, women and girls’ health equity, housing opportunity, civic engagement, health equity, and building strong nonprofits.
The foundation’s website says it prioritizes projects aligned with its strategic plan that have potential to create systemic or structural change. It invites locally based nonprofits and organizations working with a fiscal sponsor to apply for funding that serves Fairfield County residents. Applicants must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofits or 509(a) public charities, or work under a registered 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. A previous grantee must complete the funded work and submit a final report before being considered for another grant.
Examples of supported organizations include the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, whose stated mission is to prepare young people through enrichment and supportive relationships, and The Open Door Shelter, whose mission is to help people at risk of or experiencing homelessness move toward housing stability. The Foundation for Excellence in Bridgeport Public Schools says it seeks funding to expand and enrich educational opportunities for Bridgeport students.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 448 grants totaling $25,746,170. Grant amounts ranged from $5,194 to $2 million, with a median of $24,080. The largest listed grants were $2 million to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, $1 million to Heart and Armor Foundation, and $663,500 to Optimus Health Care Inc. Each was reported for general support. Other listed awards included $567,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, $500,000 to Boys and Girls Club of Martin County, and $470,000 to National Urban League.
The foundation’s website describes a fall strategic-grant cycle. It says new applicants may apply for capacity-building or small grants, while returning applicants and organizations with a proven record of alignment with its key result areas may apply for general operating support. The website lists capacity-building applications as rolling, with awards of up to $10,000. For the Fall 2026 general-operating-support pools, it lists an invitation-only Strategic Partner Grants pool, with awards up to $50,000 and a September 30 submission deadline, and Community Impact Grants, with awards of $10,000–$15,000 and a December 31 deadline. As of October 2, 2026, the September 30 deadline has passed; December 31 is still upcoming. The website also identifies the Fund for Women & Girls Small Grants Program as rolling. Strategic grant funding may not be used to persuade people to join or support a specific religion.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Maya Reddi as board chair, Clayton H. Fowler as board vice chair, Christopher C. Whitney as board treasurer, and Jonathan Fraade as board secretary. It also lists Anthony L. Benntt, Terrence Cheng, Amanda Castellano, Stephen Edwards, Laura Farrelly, and Carolyn Gonzalez as board members. The foundation’s website identifies Mendi Blue Paca as president and CEO.
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc is led by Mendi Blue, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2021); 7 of 27 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mendi Blue
President & CEO
Vice President & Community Impact → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$223K (2021) → $328K (2025)
Maya Reddi
Board Chair
Board Member → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Deal
Director of Community Philanthropy
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$117K (2025)
Elaine Mintz
Vice President, Strategy & External Relations
Vice President & Operations → Vice President, Strategy & External Relations, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$149K (2021) → $196K (2025)
Tara Berlingo
Vice President, People & Culture
Director of Human Resources → Vice President, People & Culture, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$103K (2021) → $175K (2025)
William Andrews
Chief Financial Officer
CFO → Chief Financial Officer, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$152K (2021) → $200K (2025)
Joseph Collin
Vice President & Philanthropy
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$111K (2022) → $178K (2025)
Lutonya Russell-Humes
Vice President, Grants & Programs
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$140K (2023) → $175K (2025)
Carolyn Gonzalez
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Maccormack
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Clayton H. Fowler
Board Vice Chair
Board Vice Chair → Board Member, 2022
Board Member → Board Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joette Katz
Board Member
Board Member → Board Secretary, 2022
Board Secretary → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Fraade
Board Secretary
Board Member → Board Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mindy Houck
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Neil Marcus
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Preston Tisdale
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Edwards
Board Member
Board Member → Board Vice Chair, 2022
Board Vice Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terrence Cheng
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anthony L. Benntt
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher C. Whitney
Board Treasurer
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Johnson
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chuck Presbury
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Castellano
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katharine Sachs Lumby
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Farrelly
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marie Rocha
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathaniel Yordon
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: Edwin Ford (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Gerald M. Fox III (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Joel Green (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Johnna Torsone (2021–2024) — Board Vice Chair
- Former: Mark Riser (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Maya Louise Tichio (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Michelle Kay Garvey (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Justin Beal (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Tanya Hills (2024) — Director, Learning, Evaluation & Research
- Former: Juanita James (2021–2023) — President & CEO
- Former: Karen Brown Vp Innovation (2023) — Strategic Learning
- Former: Briggs L. Tobin (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Elizabeth Demarte (2021–2022) — Director of Marketing & Committee
- Former: Jennifer Pagnillo Esq. (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Karen Brown (2021–2022) — Vice President, Innovation & Strategic Learning
- Former: Mary Woods (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Maximino Medina Jr. (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Michael Rosen Chief Business (2022) — Development Officer
- Former: Steven Goldstein (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Bob Eydt (2021) — Board Secretary
- Former: Donald Kendall Jr. (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Michael Rosen (2021) — Chief Business Development Officer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $328K, to Mendi Blue (President and CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc
How much does Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc give each year?
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc gave $25.7M across 448 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $23.5M across 445 grants.
What is Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $24,080, and its average grant was $57,469, across 448 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc that year got $50K on average.
Where does Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc give grants?
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc gives mostly in Connecticut: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (9%) and Iowa (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bridgeport, CT (63 grants), Stamford, CT (31 grants), New York, NY (29 grants) and Norwalk, CT (23 grants).
Does Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (448 of 448) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Mothers Against Drunk Driving ($2,000,000), Heart and Armor Foundation ($1,000,000) and Optimus Health Care Inc ($663,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc?
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc reported $291.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $21.3M.
What does Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to partner with its community to create a county where every person has an equitable opportunity to thrive. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests for some programs: new applicants may apply for capacity-building or small grants, and capacity-building applications are accepted on a rolling basis through a streamlined… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-1083893. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 22, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 28, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 30, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/fairfield-county-s-community-foundation-inc-morg_d877836174e749ac8c0111d2dc032fb7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_061083893_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/fairfield-county-s-community-foundation-inc-morg_d877836174e749ac8c0111d2dc032fb7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?