Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation is a public charity based in Norwalk, Connecticut, serving Fairfield County’s 23 cities and towns. It partners with local organizations, nonprofits, businesses, government, and philanthropists, and makes grants to support equitable opportunity and community needs in Fairfield County and beyond.
Key facts about Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc
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.
- EIN
- 06-1083893
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $25,746,170
- Grants made (2025)
- 448
- Average grant
- $57,469
- Median grant
- $24,080
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (109 of 448, 2025)
- Total assets
- $291,351,607
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (50% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Review the Foundation’s eligibility requirements and strategic-plan goals, then submit an application through its grant process. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- For the Fall 2026 pools, the Strategic Partner Grant deadline is September 30, 2026, and the Community Impact Grant…
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$291.4M
+3.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$25.7M
+9.4% YoY
Grant Count
448
+0.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$57K
+8.6% YoY
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.
- 53% 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to partner with its community to create a county where every person has an equitable opportunity to thrive. Its stated focus areas include youth education and career development, income and asset building, women and girls’ health equity, housing opportunity, civic engagement, and building strong nonprofits. Its initiatives include work on Black maternal health, nonprofit capacity, educational equity, and housing opportunity.
The Foundation’s 2023 filing describes grants supporting education and youth development, community and economic development, women and girls’ empowerment, health, immigration support, and nonprofit capacity-building. Examples of supported organizations illustrate varied work: Optimus Health Care describes its mission as providing primary, dental, and behavioral health services to marginalized communities; Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich focuses on preparing young people through enrichment and supportive relationships; and The Housing Collective works to expand access to safe, affordable housing and housing stability. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 448 grants totaling $25,746,170. Grants ranged from $5,194 to $2 million, with a median of $24,080. The largest listed awards included $2 million to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, $1 million to Heart and Armor Foundation, $663,500 to Optimus Health Care, $620,000 to American Forests, and $567,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. The filing lists each of these awards as for general support.
Review Cycle
as occurring in fall. For Fall 2026, it describes two general operating support pools for organizations that have previously received Foundation funding: invitation-only Strategic Partner Grants of up to $50,000, and Community Impact Grants of $10,000–$15,000. Capacity-building applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and the Fund for Women & Girls Small Grants Program also accepts applications on a rolling basis. Strategic grant funding cannot be used to persuade people to join or support a specific religion.
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
Rolling / Open
Community Impact Fund
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Fairfield County Food Security Fund
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation serves all 23 cities and towns in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and its strategic-grant eligibility requirements specify that funded work must serve Fairfield County residents. In filing year 2025, 50% of grant dollars went to recipients in Connecticut; the next-largest state shares 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
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.
Grant Insights
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%).
Giving History
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 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $291,351,607 | $21,278,159 | $32,959,648 | $25,746,170 |
| 2024 | $282,030,622 | $20,262,842 | $31,203,706 | $23,544,066 |
| 2023 | $267,327,634 | $21,897,687 | $30,384,938 | $22,743,759 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $291,351,607 | $282,030,622 | $267,327,634 |
| Revenue | $21,278,159 | $20,262,842 | $21,897,687 |
| Expenses | $32,959,648 | $31,203,706 | $30,384,938 |
| Net Investment Income | $5,464,664 | $5,757,204 | $4,223,407 |
Data update history
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
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 Fairfield County Forward page 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.
Contact
Mailing address: 40 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854
Phone: (203) 750-3200
Website: https://fccfoundation.org
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 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?
Review the Foundation’s eligibility requirements and strategic-plan goals, then submit an application through its grant process. 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.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Americares Foundation Inc
Stamford, CT
Americares funds health care organizations and programs focused on disaster preparedness and recovery, access to medicines and medical supplies, and community health services. In 2025, its grants ranged from $5,073 to $3.86 million, with a median of about $58,700; it works in the United States and internationally, reaching an average of 80 countries each year. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$372.5M
Grants
635
Total Given
$113.3M
American Savings Foundation Inc
New Britain, CT
American Savings Foundation supports education, human services, and arts and culture, especially programs serving children, youth, and families in Connecticut, with a focus on New Britain and Waterbury. Its 2024 grants ranged from $234 to $150,000, with a median of $1,750; Community Grants are capped at $5,000. It provides application forms for Program and Community Grants, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$107.0M
Grants
613
Total Given
$3.4M
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
Hartford, CT
The Greater Hartford Gives Foundation funds nonprofits addressing community needs, with priorities including racial equity, economic and social mobility, wellbeing, neighborhoods, civic engagement, and arts and culture. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of about $21,600, and it primarily serves 29 Greater Hartford towns. It accepts applications through specific requests for proposals and grant cycles; eligibility varies by opportunity.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
613
Total Given
$52.0M
Eversource Energy Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
The Eversource Energy Foundation funds U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on basic needs, education, environmental stewardship, community engagement, and economic or workforce development. It gives in Eversource’s service territory in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire; its 2024 median grant was $2,000, though awards ranged from $250 to $700,000.
Assets
$12.5M
Grants
606
Total Given
$6.2M
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
New Haven, CT
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven funds nonprofits working in areas including civic vitality, arts and culture, health, and education, with competitive grants for organizations serving its 20-town region. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,154 to $2.8 million, with a median of $15,000; it accepts applications through specific grant programs, while most donor-advised and designated fund distributions are not open to applications.
Assets
$627.4M
Grants
505
Total Given
$23.4M
Viking Global Foundation Inc
Stamford, CT
Assets
$7.1M
Grants
423
Total Given
$3.6M
Ion Bank Foundation Inc
Naugatuck, CT
Assets
$15.3M
Grants
419
Total Given
$1.0M
Synchrony Foundation
Stamford, CT
In 2024, Synchrony Foundation supported charitable organizations across workforce development, education, financial assistance, and giving, with grants ranging from $150 to $2.6 million and a median of $10,000. Its largest shares of grant funding went to Connecticut, New York, and South Carolina, followed by the District of Columbia and New Jersey; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations only.
Assets
$72.3M
Grants
394
Total Given
$20.5M
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Yale supports education, research, scholarship, preservation, public service, and community organizations, including through sponsored research and fellowships. Its 2025 grants ranged from $3,000 to $14.3 million, with a median of about $136,000; recipients were based mainly in Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. The profile does not state whether Yale accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$58.9B
Grants
364
Total Given
$168.2M
Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund Inc
New Haven, CT
The fund supports Catholic organizations and other charities whose missions align with Catholic teachings, primarily through donor-advised grants; 2024 awards had a median of $16,250, though amounts varied widely. Its grants went to organizations across the United States, with the largest shares in Washington, DC, Ohio, Connecticut, Virginia, and California. It does not accept unsolicited grant applications.
Assets
$127.1M
Grants
358
Total Given
$77.1M
Chelsea Groton Foundation
Groton, CT
Assets
$10.4M
Grants
326
Total Given
$825K
More Funders in Connecticut
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?