Contact Peter Helt at [email protected] – for more information on how to apply for a Community Grant

2025 Community Grant Awards

It is with great pride that we share our Community Giving Grant Committee’s Board-approved list of award winners for 2025. A total of 46 organizations will receive $285,000 in grants. This is another record amount of funding resulting from our very successful LobsterFest!

Life Skills for Low-Income Adults, Primarily Immigrants

Burroughs Community Center – Bridgeport

Caroline House – Bridgeport

Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants – Bridgeport

Mercy Learning Center – Bridgeport

Formal Education for Children from Low-Income Families

A Better Chance – Westport

Adam J. Lewis Academy – Bridgeport

Park City Prep Charter School – Bridgeport

College Scholarships for Students with Income Constraints or Health Issues

Norwalk Housing Foundation – Norwalk

Staples Tuition Grants – Westport

The Susan Fund – Westport

Services for Victims of Domestic or Sexual Violence

Domestic Violence Crisis Center – Stamford

The Rowan Center – Stamford

Services for Senior Citizens

ElderHouse – Norwalk

Friends of the Westport Senior Center – Westport

Counseling for Children and Young Adults with Legal Issues

Catalyst CT – Bridgeport

Center for Children’s Advocacy – Bridgeport

Medical Services

Westport Volunteer EMS – Westport

Job Training and Life Skills To Address Recidivism

HomeBridge Ventures – Bridgeport

Environmental Issues

Sustainable Westport – Westport

2025 Grant Winners Mission Statements

A Better Chance of Westport

ABC provides life-changing educational opportunities for highly motivated, academically gifted, yet educationally disadvantaged, young men of color by facilitating their enrollment in Westport’s highly regarded Staples High School.

Adam J. Lewis Academy

AJLA is a co-educational, Pre K – Grade 8, privately funded, independent school serving
children and their families in the Bridgeport community. Through rigorous academics,
rich experiential learning and deep family engagement, AJLA nurtures the potential
within each child and prepares students for a lifetime of intellectual exploration,
personal growth and moral citizenship

Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders 

BCYL was created in 2003 by John and Sam Torres in memory of their late father to
provide equitable access to competitive baseball for the children of Bridgeport. Today
BCYL is a comprehensive youth development organization offering affordable athletic,
educational and community leadership programs for the greater Bridgeport area.

Bridgeport Rescue Mission

BRM attempts to create lasting change by addressing the root causes of poverty,
homelessness and addiction. Beyond immediate relief, BRM’s programs equip
individuals and families with the tools needed to achieve long-term stability. BRM
transforms lives, strengthens neighborhoods and fosters sustainable, systemic change.

Builders Beyond Borders 

The mission of B3 is to build a better world by engaging high school students in work
projects that improve local and global communities, facilitate personal growth and
cultural exchange and ignite a lifelong passion for volunteerism.

Burroughs Community Center

Burroughs believes an equitable community is one where everyone has access to, and
is included in, the full benefits of society. Through partnerships and collaborations,
Burroughs connects community members to resources, programs and services that help
overcome significant barriers, including food insecurity, poor education, unemployment
and other social injustices.

Caroline House

Located on the east side of Bridgeport, Caroline House helps low-income immigrant
women build new lives for themselves and their families. They learn to speak, read
and write English, as well as how to navigate seemingly insurmountable barriers such
as securing safe housing, completing job applications, advocating for their children in
school and accessing affordable healthcare.

Carver Community Center

Carver’s mission is to equip students for global competitiveness by organizing strategic
partnerships with schools and communities that advance excellence and personal
growth. Carver operates 65 before and after-school programs as well as summer
programs at all of the Norwalk public schools, Side by Side Charter School in Norwalk,
Carver Community Center and Classical Studies Magnet Academy in Bridgeport.

Catalyst CT

Founded nearly 40 years ago, Catalyst CT is the only agency in Connecticut that
combines direct service, capacity building, policy and advocacy under one roof. Working
with students, families and community leaders, primarily in Bridgeport, Catalyst collects
data that informs their capacity-building and policymaking.

Center for Children’s Advocacy 

CCA’s mission is to protect the legal rights of low-income children to ensure their basic
needs are met and to help them access the services they need for health, education
and well-being. CCA also provides legal services, legal rights education and advocacy for
reforms to improve the educational, healthcare and juvenile justice systems.

CLASP Homes

CLASP Homes is a Westport-based organization that serves adults with autism and other
developmental disabilities in Fairfield County. CLASP’s residences are home to 100 men
and women in 7 towns, and their community center in Bridgeport provides day services
to many more. CLASP relies on the support of donors and sponsors to offer opportunities
that bring joy, growth and fulfillment into the lives of the people they serve.

Club 203

Club 203’s mission is to provide fun, engaging social and recreational activities for adults
(18+) with disabilities. Club 203 was established in 2022 as a project of Westport’s
Human Services Commission for People with Disabilities.

Connect Institute for Refugees and Immigrants

Since 1918, CIRI has served clients statewide, helping refugees and immigrants resolve
legal, economic, linguistic and social barriers so that they become self-sufficient,
integrated, contributing members of their communities.

Connect Us

Connect Us brings together suburban and urban neighbors in partnership to improve
the quality of outcomes for young people living in communities of concentrated poverty.
Programs are designed to complement formal education with after-school growth
opportunities that expand the vistas of youth living in Bridgeport.

Domestic Violence Crisis Center

DVCC’s mission is to provide effective services, support and education for the prevention
and elimination of domestic violence across the Connecticut communities of Stamford,
Norwalk, New Canaan, Darien, Westport, Weston, Wilton and beyond.

Earthplace

Earthplace is a donor-supported organization committed to building passion and respect
for the natural world and a more sustainable future for our community. Earthplace
blends science, conservation and education into pathways for learning about nature and
the environment.

ElderHouse

ElderHouse is a state-certified medical and social adult day center for older adults with
cognitive loss or other chronic health conditions that require supervision and care.
ElderHouse’s mission is to provide the services and support that allow clients to be safe,
live at home and enjoy life through social and intellectually stimulating programs.

Experience Camp 

Experience Camps transforms the lives of grieving children through summer camp
programs and innovative year-round initiatives. Through compassion, connection
and play, they allow grieving children to embody a life full of hope and possibility. By
amplifying their voices, Experience Camps creates a more grief-sensitive culture.

First Serve Bridgeport

FSB’s mission is to provide a path to success for Bridgeport’s underserved youth through
education and tennis. It provides comprehensive tennis and education programming
year-round free of charge.

Food Rescue US 

Founded in 2011 in Fairfield County, Food Rescue is dedicated to eliminating hunger and
food waste, keeping food out of landfills and reducing greenhouse gasses. They engage
volunteers and food donors through a proprietary app to directly transfer nutritious
excess food to social agencies serving the food insecure.

Friends of the Westport  Center for Senior Activities

The mission of Friends of the Westport Center for Senior Activities is to identify,
schedule, fund and manage new and exciting programs for seniors to augment and
enhance the regular program offerings of the Senior Center.

Homesbridge Ventures 

HomeBridge Ventures seeks to break the cycle of recidivism through transformative
relationships, trauma-responsive job training and placement, and a supportive
community for justice-involved people that leads to the opportunity to heal and obtain
gainful employment.

Homes for the Brave

Homes for the Brave provides temporary housing and services necessary to help
homeless veterans return to a productive and meaningful life.

Homes with Hope

Homes with Hope is dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness for individuals
and families by providing safe emergency shelter, supportive services, food and housing
as essential tools to achieve independent living.

Horizons at  Green’s Farms Academy 

Horizons at GFA partners with Bridgeport public school students impacted by
educational inequity to help them develop strong academic and social-emotional skills
to succeed in school and pursue a purposeful, choice-filled life. The program at GFA was
established in 2000 with just 26 students and now serves over 330 students in three
component programs: Pre K – 8th grade, high school and college and career launch.

Horizons at Norwalk Community College

It is Horizons at NCC’s mission to advance educational equity for Norwalk students by
providing them with academic and enrichment opportunities, a collaborative community
and an inspirational learning environment.

Horizons at Sacred Heart University

Horizons at SHU is a transformational, community-centered program that has proven
to help close the opportunity gap that impacts many Bridgeport children. Educating the
whole child is at the core of what they do, helping students thrive in a community of
support that integrates the life skills necessary for long term success

Kids In Crisis

Kids in Crisis’ mission is to build healthy communities where children and families thrive
through prevention, counseling and crisis services available 24 hours every day. They
have provided critical crisis prevention and intervention services to 164,000 children,
newborn to age 18, and their families since 1978. Kids in Crisis serves any child and their
family, without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, socio-economic status,
community of origin or sexual orientation.

Mercy Learning Center 

Mercy Learning Center provides basic literacy and life skills training for women with low
incomes using a holistic approach within a compassionate, supportive environment. All
women are welcome without regard for race, religion, color, creed, sexual orientation or
national origin.

Mid-Fairfield Child Guidance Center

Mid-Fairfield serves as the safety net for the many families who cannot afford private
mental health services for their children. Mid-Fairfield’s programs and services promote
optimal mental health from prenatal to early adulthood. The mission is to ensure
equitable access to mental health and community support services that improve the
health and quality of life for all individuals.

My Team Triumph

My Team Triumph provides support for people with diverse abilities to come together
in training, racing and social events with the aim to address social isolation through a
teamwork approach to endurance athletics. Each Captain (a special needs athlete) is
supported by a team of Angels (volunteer athletes) in events such as 5K runs and walks,
cycling events, open water swims and triathlons.

Norwalk Housing Foundation

The Norwalk Housing Foundation is an expanded vision of what public housing can be,
going beyond safe and affordable living to taking a proactive role in breaking the cycle
of poverty. The mission is to connect residents with education, which they can use to
transform their futures and leave public housing behind forever. The College Scholarship
Program provides housing students with financial support to successfully enroll in 2-year,
4-year, technical or graduate schools.

Open Doors

Open Doors is committed to ending homelessness in the greater Norwalk area. They
provide street outreach, shelter case management and affordable housing opportunities
to help those most in need get on a path toward housing stability.

Park City Prep Charter School

The mission of Park City Prep is to maximize the academic achievement of each student
in preparation for admission to, and success at, selective college preparatory high
schools. As part of a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes mathematics, scientific inquiry
and technology, the faculty and staff work to instill in each student the Prep values of
responsibility, excellence and perseverance.

 Positive Directions

Positive Directions’ vision is that all individuals and families will have the skills, support
and resources they need to live a healthy life and contribute to a strong community.
To that end, the mission is to provide leadership in the community with the aim of
improving the lives and health of individuals and families through comprehensive
behavioral healthcare.

Saint Catherine Center for Special Needs

At Saint Catherine Center, the goal is for each student and young adult to achieve
the greatest level of independence possible. Programming integrates individualized
learning with the development of life skills and vocational experiences. In a supportive
environment, relationships are nourished and skills are reinforced to create a sense of
belonging and purpose for all participants.

Staples Tuition Grants

STG was founded in 1943 on the belief that all young adults should have the opportunity
to continue their education beyond high school. By providing tuition assistance to
Staples High School graduates with demonstrated financial need, STG helps to close the
gap between what students and their families are able to afford and the expected cost of
tuition at the student’s chosen undergraduate college, university or trade school.

Sustainable Westport 

Sustainable Westport’s mission is to inspire, support and connect Westport residents,
organizations and the Town of Westport in making both small changes and big
commitments to a healthier and more sustainable future. Sustainable Westport’s roots
stem from the “Green Task Force,” a town committee that was appointed in 2006 by the
first selectman to address the growing problem of climate change caused by excessive
carbon emissions.

Team Woofgang & Co.

Team Woofgang was founded in 2017 by three Fairfield mothers of young adults
with developmental disabilities. Their mission is to provide meaningful job skills and
vocational training for disabled individuals who have aged out of public school system
support.

The Rowan Center

For over 45 years, The Rowan Center has been the leader in providing sexual violence,
prevention, education, counseling and advocacy across lower Fairfield County. Free
confidential services include a 24/7 hotline, crisis counseling, advocacy during medical
treatments and court proceedings, empowerment groups and long-term therapy clinics
for HUSKY-insured adults who have experienced any form of trauma.

The Susan Fund

For 42 years, The Susan Fund has provided educational scholarships to Fairfield County
students who have been diagnosed with cancer. It has grown significantly since 1982 in
both the number of grants awarded and the total amount bestowed, which now exceeds
$2 million.

Urban Impact of Black Rock

Urban Impact’s mission is to offer the youth who reside in the Bridgeport PT Barnum
Public Housing Complex educational opportunities through in-school and after-school
activities. Programs revolve around one-on-one sessions, small group tutoring
sessions and mentoring. Urban Impact strives for their students to achieve academic
success, develop positive character traits and lead fulfilling lives.

Westport Book Sales Ventures

Westport Book Sales Ventures’ dual mission is to provide meaningful, competitive
employment and job training for adults with disabilities, while raising funds for the
Westport Library through used book sales. Since opening the Westport Book Shop in
2021, they have provided over 10,000 hours of paid employment and job training for
more than a dozen adults with disabilities.

Westport Country Playhouse

Through the art of theater, Westport Country Playhouse brings stories to life that
re-examine our own experiences, shine a light on those that have been ignored and
ensure a space for those yet to be told.

Westport Dept of Human Services

The mission of the Westport Department of Human Services is to promote
independence, personal development and an enhanced quality of life for Westport
residents of all ages. The Department is organized into three service areas: Youth and
Family Services, Social Services and Senior Services. In all three areas the Department
works in partnership with other community organizations, service providers and funding
sources.

Westport Volunteer EMS

The mission of the Westport Volunteer EMS is to assist the community by providing
the volunteer staff, equipment, vehicles and supplies necessary to operate the Town of
Westport’s Emergency Medical Service. They also undertake to educate the public in
handling medical emergencies.