New Canaan Community Foundation Inc
New Canaan Community Foundation Inc is a public charity based in New Canaan, Connecticut. Founded in 1977, it addresses community needs through local leadership, grantmaking, and support for charitable giving. Its grants support nonprofit organizations in New Canaan and neighboring communities, as well as scholarship programs.
New Canaan Community Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: New Canaan Community Foundation Inc gave $2.3M across 106 grants in 2025 (avg $22K), mostly in Connecticut. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,305,520
- -38.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 106
- +14.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $21,750
- -46.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $14,125
- Total assets
- $32,012,168
- +19.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (27 of 106, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (87% 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 New Canaan Community Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Applications are submitted through the foundation’s GOapply portal. The foundation’s 2026–2027 timeline lists applications as due October 16, 2026, at 11:30 p.m.; later materials may be requested in January, with site visits for the Main Grant Cycle in February and March. The 2026–2027 cycle also includes an applicant information session.
- Contact
Mailing address: 111 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: (203) 966-0231
Website: https://newcanaancf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from New Canaan Community Foundation Inc
Annual Main Grant Funding Cycle
New Canaan Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Main Grant Cycle
New Canaan Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Sapienza Scholarship- Block Grant Applicants
New Canaan Community Foundation Inc
Amount
US $2,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who New Canaan Community Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Town of New Canaan ($198K). Together the top 10 received $863K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($9,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
477 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 441 grants of 477 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says it funds nonprofit organizations in Lower Fairfield County and prioritizes organizations broadly serving New Canaan, along with organizations in Lower Fairfield County responding to issues of greatest need. Its 2026–2027 opportunities include a multi-year capital-project opportunity specifically for New Canaan.
In the 2025 itemized grant list, 87% of grant dollars went to recipients in Connecticut, 4% to New York, and 2% each to Maryland, Massachusetts, and Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 106 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is New Canaan Community Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 27 of 106 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $23K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $17K repeat.
- 60% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−1%). 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 $1.6M (2023) to $3.8M (2024). In 2025 it made 106 grants totaling $2.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Town of New Canaan New Canaan, CT | Grants recommended by daf, for emergency financial assistance & for coppo field project | $198,077 |
| New Canaan YMCA New Canaan, CT | Grants recommended by daf & for the combined heat & power project | $109,630 |
| Tommy Fund Inc New Haven, CT | Grants Recommended by DAF | $109,150 |
| New Canaan Land Trust New Canaan, CT | Grants Recommended by DAF | $106,513 |
| New Canaan Public Schools New Canaan, CT | Grants for the dome, emergency financial assistance & scholarship | $85,634 |
| Silver Hill Hospital Inc New Canaan, CT | Grants recommended by daf, for mental health parity research initiative & for the assessment program | $75,500 |
| Planet New Canaan New Canaan, CT | Grants recommended by daf, for general operating & nchs community impact award | $55,600 |
| Mount Saint Joseph High School Baltimore, MD | Grant Recommended by DAF | $50,000 |
| Waveny Lifecare Network Inc New Canaan, CT | Grants recommended by daf, for general operating & for the kathleen m. Fruin, rn certified nursing aide school | $36,800 |
| Person to Person Inc Darien, CT | Grants recommended by daf, for general operating & scholarship | $36,250 |
Ready to take the next step with New Canaan Community Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,012,168 | $9,847,106 | $3,559,033 | $2,305,520 | 106 | $5,192,822 |
| 2024 | $26,789,085 | $3,495,364 | $5,018,284 | $3,767,024 | 93 | $1,068,447 |
| 2023 | $25,768,610 | $2,915,669 | $2,685,577 | $1,616,713 | 83 | $782,777 |
| 2022 | $23,646,798 | $4,615,440 | $3,548,471 | $2,322,621 | 92 | $1,251,361 |
| 2021 | $27,907,430 | $3,828,289 | $2,703,752 | $1,768,749 | 103 | $1,271,994 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to address community needs by providing leadership on local issues, making impactful grants, and facilitating New Canaan’s effective charitable giving.
Its 2024 filing says it makes grants for the capital, program, and operating needs of local nonprofits; provides scholarship assistance for New Canaan residents with financial need; and supports nonprofits’ scholarship efforts. Its Young Philanthropists Program works with high school-aged students who live or attend school in New Canaan. Students learn about nonprofits, local issues, and community philanthropy, then award grants to selected organizations.
The 2025 grant list includes organizations working in areas such as youth development, conservation, cancer support, mental health and addiction services, older-adult care, and basic-needs assistance. For example, the New Canaan Community YMCA describes its mission as promoting youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Silver Hill Hospital says it works to reduce suffering from mental illness and addiction, while Person to Person describes its work supporting people toward stability through food, clothing, housing, and economic opportunity.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 106 itemized grants totaling $2,305,520. Grant amounts ranged from $5,175 to $198,077, with a median of $14,125. The foundation’s website separately reported that its 2025 grantmaking reached 94 nonprofits, with the help of more than 110 community volunteers, and distributed more than $1 million in grants.
Among the largest reported 2025 grants were $198,077 to the Town of New Canaan for donor-advised-fund recommendations, emergency financial assistance, and the Coppo Field project; $109,630 to New Canaan YMCA for donor-advised-fund recommendations and its combined heat and power project; $109,150 to The Tommy Fund Inc for donor-advised-fund recommendations; and $106,513 to New Canaan Land Trust for donor-advised-fund recommendations. Other large grants included $85,634 to New Canaan Public Schools for the Dome, emergency financial assistance, and scholarships, and $75,500 to Silver Hill Hospital for donor-advised-fund recommendations, a mental health parity research initiative, and its assessment program.
For its 2026–2027 cycle, the foundation lists three opportunities: the Main Grant Cycle, a multi-year opportunity for capital projects in New Canaan, and a multi-year opportunity for strategic growth and solutions. Applicants are asked to apply to only one opportunity. The foundation says grant decisions are guided by its board, local volunteers, and professional staff; board members and volunteers conduct site visits. The website also provides requests for proposals and application guidance.
The foundation’s scholarship offerings include an individual scholarship program for students pursuing higher education and a block grant program for nonprofits that administer scholarship programs in neighboring communities. Its website reports that it awarded $177,550 in individual scholarships to 37 students in 2025. The listed 2026 deadlines for these scholarship programs, May 8 and April 17, have passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jeffrey Williams as chair; Aaron Cooper and Chris Schipper as vice chairs; Jim Clayton as treasurer; and Eileen Boyd as secretary. It lists Dan Harris, Dan Rashin, Erica Schwedel, Jayne Benton, and John Sheffield as directors.
New Canaan Community Foundation Inc is led by Lauren Patterson, President & CEO on every filing since 2021; 1 of 25 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lauren Patterson
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$113K (2021) → $149K (2025)
Jeffrey Williams
Chair
Director → Vice Chair & Treasurer, 2022
Vice Chair & Treasurer → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan Rashin
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Mactas
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristina Woods
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan Harris
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erica Schwedel
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Sheffield
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Monica Capela Chimera
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jayne Benton
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ross Weiner
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sara Schubert
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne Harrison
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Huetter
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marley Thackray
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Reed
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Riley
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alex Stewart
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Holly Casella
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tiffany Kuehner
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Hines
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Cooper
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eileen Boyd
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Clayton
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Schipper
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Elizabeth Cahill (2021–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Frank Fetchet (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Laura Dobbin (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Alex Grantcharov (2023) — Director
- Former: Carolyn Corcoran (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Joe Prior (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: John Knight (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Laura Walbert (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Sharon McClymonds (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Todd Lampert (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Heather Ziegler (2021) — Director
- Former: Kathleen Abbott (2021) — Director
- Former: Kay Linneman (2021) — Director
- Former: Kelly Hanratty (2021) — Director
- Former: Rob Fryer (2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Sheila Pettee (2021) — Secretary
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 $149K, to Lauren Patterson (President & CEO).
Frequently asked questions about New Canaan Community Foundation Inc
How much does New Canaan Community Foundation Inc give each year?
New Canaan Community Foundation Inc gave $2.3M across 106 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.8M across 93 grants.
What is New Canaan Community Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
New Canaan Community Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $14,125, and its average grant was $21,750, across 106 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from New Canaan Community Foundation Inc that year got $17K on average.
Where does New Canaan Community Foundation Inc give grants?
New Canaan Community Foundation Inc gives mostly in Connecticut: 87% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New Canaan, CT (29 grants), Norwalk, CT (16 grants), Stamford, CT (15 grants) and New Haven, CT (4 grants).
Does New Canaan Community Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of New Canaan Community Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (35 of 106) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Restricted Grant- Scholarship" (15 grants), "Grants Recommended by DAF" (7 grants) and "Grant Recommended by DAF" (7 grants).
Who are New Canaan Community Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
New Canaan Community Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Town of New Canaan ($198,077), New Canaan YMCA ($109,630) and Tommy Fund Inc ($109,150), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($9,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is New Canaan Community Foundation Inc?
New Canaan Community Foundation Inc reported $32.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.8M.
What does New Canaan Community Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to address community needs by providing leadership on local issues, making impactful grants, and facilitating New Canaan’s effective charitable giving. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from New Canaan Community Foundation Inc?
Applications are submitted through the foundation’s GOapply portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is New Canaan Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
New Canaan Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-0970466. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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 May 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in New Canaan Community Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). New Canaan Community Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/new-canaan-community-foundation-inc-morg_e3e364325e6d4bdb95519a9140605e6d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_060970466_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{New Canaan Community Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/new-canaan-community-foundation-inc-morg_e3e364325e6d4bdb95519a9140605e6d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 New Canaan 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.
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