The Community Fund of Darien
The Community Fund of Darien is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1951 and headquartered in Darien, Connecticut. The organization serves as a grantmaking foundation that promotes and supports local charitable organizations and community initiatives. Since its founding, the Community Fund has distributed over $28 million to local nonprofits and community initiatives, impacting thousands of lives in the region.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.3M
+4.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$790K
-0.4% YoY
Grant Count
39
+2.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
-3.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Community Fund of Darien's mission is to promote and support local charitable organizations and new community initiatives through strategic grantmaking and community engagement. The organization focuses on four key areas of impact:
Basic Needs
- Reducing food insecurity by improving access to nutritious, affordable food on a consistent basis
- Moving individuals and families from homelessness to stable housing by promoting access to housing options, emergency shelter, and collaborative case management
- Providing emergency assistance programs to help residents attain financial and housing stability through funding for utilities and rent
- Guiding clients toward greater self-sufficiency through effective case management
Community Health
- Supporting mental and physical healthcare access for local residents
Youth Success
- Creating a thriving youth community through needs assessment, strategic planning, educational materials, and task force/coalition development
Workforce Development
- Supporting job and skills training programs
The organization also engages in community building, needs assessments, studies and reports, information and referral services, and agency relations including program and budget review, evaluation, volunteer management and training, and technical support.
Grantmaking
The Community Fund of Darien awards grants to vital nonprofit health and human services organizations that align with its key areas of impact. Each organization funded is thoroughly vetted by staff and trained volunteers to ensure effective deployment of donor contributions.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Community Fund of Darien provides grants to nonprofit organizations and community initiatives serving:
- Darien, Connecticut
- Norwalk, Connecticut
- Stamford, Connecticut
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2025):
- Total Assets: $3,316,185
- Total Revenues: $1,298,661
- Total Expenses: $1,359,304
- Number of Employees: 7
Prior Year Data (2023):
- Total Assets: $2,831,636
- Total Giving: $673,342
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,316,185 | $3,185,299 | $2,831,637 |
| Revenue | $1,298,661 | $1,362,095 | $1,238,027 |
| Expenses | $1,359,304 | $1,288,280 | $1,203,308 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $91,037 | $86,648 | $104,966 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
164 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Maggie Domont – Executive Director
- Lisa Haas – Grants Director
- Melissa Williams – Board President
- Amy Clarke – Marketing Director
- Peter Saverine – Development Director
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRANDI MANISCALCO | PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| MELISSA WILLIAMS | FIRST VICE PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| TAMMY BERENTSON | SECRETARY | 4 | — |
| RICK DILORENZO | TREASURER | 4 | — |
| SUSANNAH LEWIS | VP COMMUNITY INITIATIVES | 4 | — |
| SANDI SUFRIN | VP OUTREACH | 4 | — |
| COLLEEN THOMPSON | VP GOVERNANCE | 4 | — |
| ALLEGRA ERICKSON | VP COMMUNITY GRANTS | 4 | — |
| ROBIN ACKERMAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SCOTT BOWEN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ELIZABETH FITZPATRICK | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ERIN EBLIN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JENNIFER FALLON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CHRIS GALLAGHER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MARIA HERNANDEZ | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| KELLY DUPONT | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SHELLEY SHERIDAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CHARLES GALANTE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MICHELE GARTLAND | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JEREMY GEHRKE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CLAIRE JOHNSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ERIC BAURMEISTER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CHRISTINE GAZE TALWALKAR | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| KEVIN TREESH | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| RON DESOIZA | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MIKE PIKIEL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JANET KING | EXEC DIRECTOR (RETIRED 11/1/24) | 40 | $103,566 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025 Grant Awards:**
In July 2025, the Community Fund of Darien awarded approximately $790,000 in grants to 36 area nonprofits supporting residents of Darien, Stamford, and Norwalk. Grant recipients included organizations focused on food access, housing, mental and physical healthcare, job and skills training, and youth success programs.
The Community Fund Of Darien Awards Record $790,500 In Grants | Darien, CT**Volunteer Recognition:**
The Community Fund of Darien hosts an annual volunteer celebration recognizing residents who support local nonprofits and community members through volunteer service. The 47th annual volunteer celebration was announced for 2026, with nominations accepted in categories including Outstanding New Volunteer, Outstanding Volunteer Team, Outstanding Volunteer Family, Outstanding Volunteer Duo, Outstanding Senior Volunteer, Outstanding Adult Volunteer, and Outstanding Emerging Volunteer.
The Community Fund Of Darien Awards Record $790,500 In Grants | Darien, CT**Contact Information:**
Address: 30 Old Kings Highway South, Darien, CT 06820
Phone: (203) 655-8775
Email: info@communityfunddarien.org
Website: communityfunddarien.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Community Fund of Darien on Grantable?
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