The Valley Community Foundation Inc
The Valley Community Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Derby, Connecticut. It supports the Valley community through grantmaking, donor funds, leadership, and partnerships, with a stated service area that includes Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton.
The Valley Community Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Valley Community Foundation Inc gave $1.1M across 45 grants in 2024 (avg $23K), mostly in Connecticut. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,050,147
- -18.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 45
- -29.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $23,337
- +15.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $39,623,680
- +9.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Valley Community Foundation Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 253-A Elizabeth Street, Derby, CT 06418
Phone: (203) 777-2386
Website: https://valleyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
11 open opportunities from The Valley Community Foundation Inc
Consultant Support Program
The Valley Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling
Impacting the Valley Needs and Opportunities Grants
The Valley Community Foundation Inc
Amount
US $250 - US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Multi-Year Core Support Grant
The Valley Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Valley Community Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Team Inc ($143K). Together the top 10 received $585K.
Grant Size Distribution
154 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 137 grants of 154 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The website identifies Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton as the service area for several local grant programs. The 2024 filing data shows that all reported grant dollars went to Connecticut recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 45 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Valley Community Foundation Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2024) to $2.0M (2021). In 2024 it made 45 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Team Inc Derby, CT | Gain Program - to Fill Funding Gaps | $142,500 |
| BHCARE North Haven, CT | Great give, umbrella center for domestic violence services (UCDVS), general operating support | $140,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Shelton, CT | To Provide General Operating Support. | $51,182 |
| Area Congregations Together Inc Shelton, CT | For Great GIVE,GENERAL Operating Support | $45,000 |
| Echo Hose Hook and Ladder Volunteer Ambulance Corps Inc Shelton, CT | To Provide General Operating Support. | $45,000 |
| Valley Emergency Medical Services Seymour, CT | To support the purchase of a replacement heart monitor | $40,000 |
| Derby Public Library Derby, CT | Endowment Distribution | $35,000 |
| Christ Episcopal Church Ansonia, CT | To provide general operating support for the kathleen c.b. Samela memorial food pantry. | $33,000 |
| Storm Engine Company Ambulance Corps Inc Derby, CT | To Provide General Operating Support. | $28,560 |
| Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County Bridgeport, CT | To Provide General Operating Support for the Valley. | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Valley Community Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing states that The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven provides investment management for the foundation’s permanent and nonpermanent charitable assets, along with financial, human resources, programmatic, and development staff expertise.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $39,623,680 | $3,332,289 | $2,984,632 | $1,050,147 | 45 | $1,288,117 |
| 2023 | $36,340,178 | $3,208,687 | $3,102,056 | $1,288,557 | 64 | $909,941 |
| 2022 | $31,974,412 | $5,116,843 | $3,475,197 | $1,631,953 | 43 | $1,895,761 |
| 2021 | $36,191,694 | $5,268,387 | $2,934,479 | $1,973,432 | 1 | $1,527,875 |
| 2020 | $32,574,166 | $3,487,287 | $2,898,731 | $1,963,333 | 1 | $1,501,154 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to inspire philanthropic growth, provide and foster leadership, engage donors, and strengthen the Valley community for current and future generations.
Its 2024 filing identifies civic vitality, health, education, and arts and culture as program areas. Grant recipients in 2024 included organizations with varied services. For example, TEAM Inc says it works to address poverty and strengthen communities, families, and individuals through education, support, and opportunities. BHcare says it provides mental health, addiction, and domestic violence services. Area Congregations Together says it provides food, shelter, and support services to people in need in the Lower Naugatuck Valley. Other recipients included youth programming, emergency medical services, and local journalism organizations.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 45 grants totaling $1,050,147. Grants ranged from $5,495 to $142,500, with a median of $15,000. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Connecticut. The largest awards included $142,500 to TEAM Inc for its GAIN Program to fill funding gaps; $140,000 to BHcare for the Great Give, its Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services, and general operating support; and $51,182 to the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley for general operating support.
Other notable 2024 grants included $45,000 each to Area Congregations Together for the Great Give and general operating support, and to Echo Hose Hook and Ladder Volunteer Ambulance Corps for general operating support. Valley Emergency Medical Services received $40,000 toward a replacement heart monitor. The foundation also awarded $35,000 to Derby Public Library for an endowment distribution and $25,000 to Online Journalism Project for general operating support for The Valley Independent Sentinel.
The website describes several grant processes, including Valley Community Grants of $250 to $2,500 for civic and community engagement efforts by volunteer or nonprofit groups serving the five-town area. It also lists Valley Needs and Opportunities Grants, sponsorships, and other programs. For competitive grants, eligible applicants generally must be tax-exempt organizations or have a nonprofit fiscal sponsor and provide services in at least one of the five towns; the website notes that local nonprofits receive priority and that some grant processes have their own criteria. Individuals are not eligible except for academic scholarships. The website lists various exclusions, including previously incurred expenses and funding deficits, with some exclusions applying unless a particular program states otherwise.
The website says community reviewers and staff review incoming inquiries for the Responsive New Grants cycle, smaller committees review requests from specific funds, and the board votes to approve requests. Its FAQ says there is no limit on how often an organization may apply. The available 2026 schedule lists application deadlines of March 2 for Multi-Year Core Support and Multi-Year Regional Civic Health Program Grants, March 13 for Valley Community Grants, and July 17 for Valley Sponsorships and Valley Needs and Opportunities Grants; these are past deadlines. The Basic Needs Fund deadline of September 30, 2026, is also past.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Nancy Valentine as board chair, Aleta Miner as vice-chair, Tammy Burrell as treasurer, and Patricia Tarasovic as secretary. It also lists Mark D Goumas, Christopher Grizzle, Terry Jones, and Jack Walsh as directors. William Ginsberg and Karen Dubois-Walton are listed as directors who left in December and November 2024, respectively.
The Valley Community Foundation Inc is led by Sharon L. Closius, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 1 of 16 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sharon L. Closius
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$159K (2020) → $186K (2024)
Nancy Valentine
Board Chair
Director → Board Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack Walsh
Director
Vice Chair & Director → Chair & Director, 2021
Chair & Director → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terry Jones
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Grizzle
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Stamos
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark D. Goumas
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ned Miller
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bevon McLean
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Dubois-Walton
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Ginsberg
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aleta A. Miner
Vice Chair
Director → Secretary & Director, 2022
Secretary & Director → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Gamba
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer Fr → Chief Financial Officer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Tarasovic
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tammy Burrell
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marcie Monaco
Chief Financial Officer
New on the 2024 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Angela Powers (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Marianne Smythe (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Ray Oppel (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Fred Ortoli (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Diane Stroman (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Don Smith Jr. (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jennifer L. Magri (2020–2022) — Vice Chair & Director
- Former: Alan Tyma (2020) — Director
- Former: James Hodge (2020) — Director
- Former: Thomas M. Sutnik (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $186K, to Sharon Closius (President & CEO).
Frequently asked questions about The Valley Community Foundation Inc
How much does The Valley Community Foundation Inc give each year?
The Valley Community Foundation Inc gave $1.1M across 45 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.3M across 64 grants.
What is The Valley Community Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Valley Community Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $23,337, across 45 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Valley Community Foundation Inc give grants?
The Valley Community Foundation Inc gives mostly in Connecticut: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Shelton, CT (14 grants), New Haven, CT (7 grants), Derby, CT (6 grants) and Ansonia, CT (6 grants).
Does The Valley Community Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 56% of The Valley Community Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (25 of 45) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are The Valley Community Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Valley Community Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Team Inc ($142,500), BHCARE ($140,000) and Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley ($51,182), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Valley Community Foundation Inc?
The Valley Community Foundation Inc reported $39.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.3M.
What does The Valley Community Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to inspire philanthropic growth, provide and foster leadership, engage donors, and strengthen the Valley community for current and future generations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Valley Community Foundation Inc?
The Valley Community Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check valleyfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Valley Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Valley Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1637102. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Valley Community Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Valley Community Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-valley-community-foundation-inc-morg_bcc3113061574163abe3371dee2b7652
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_841637102_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Valley Community Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-valley-community-foundation-inc-morg_bcc3113061574163abe3371dee2b7652},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 The Valley 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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