Fairfield County’s Inner-City Foundation for Charity & Education announced their list of grant recipients for the year 2015-2016 today.
The non-profit foundation supports programs that serve the neediest adults and children of Fairfield County, and this year awarded close to $1 million in grants to 48 different organizations throughout the county.
About half of the funds awarded went to education programs in Bridgeport, including programs at Kolbe Cathedral High School and Catholic Academy of Bridgeport, and Mercy Learning Center for women’s literacy and life skills. But a significant portion of available funds were awarded to Fairfield county programs that provide for the disabled, the hungry, the homeless, or programs that provide help for victims of domestic violence or addiction. Without the foundation’s support a lot of these programs simply could not exist, says Richard T. Stone, executive director of The Inner-City Foundation.
“State budget cuts have had a devastating impact on the most vulnerable members of Connecticut, and Fairfield County,” says Stone. “We have just entered our 25th year, and the need right now in Fairfield County is probably greater than we’ve ever seen it. It’s not all Gold Coast. Unless increased resources materialize from other places now, such as foundations like ours, a lot of people are going to have nowhere to turn.”
“This is frontline, important support,” adds Jeff Wieser, President & CEO of Homes with Hope, a grassroots organization addressing homelessness in Westport. “The Inner-City Foundation has, for more than 16 years, supported the many mothers and children that find safety, comfort and life skills here. Over the past year alone their support for our organization has helped 15 families move from homelessness to a stable positive housing experience.”
In April more than $70 million was cut from Connecticut’s state budget. Cuts have hit local education and area “safety net” services hard, with $31 million cut from education funding for municipalities and $40 million cut from programs providing food, shelter and medical aid. Needy children and families have been especially affected.
July 1 marked the start of The Inner-City Foundation’s 25th Year Appeal. The foundation hopes to raise $2.5 million this year, more than twice what they typically raise in a year. The cornerstones of the charity’s special appeal are their just-launched “25 for 25” campaign, and their annual benefit in November, says Stone.
“We’re hoping that we’ll be able to convince our generous past donors—and some new donors—that now is the time to give,” says Stone. “The need has simply never been greater. If we can convince 25 corporations, as well as 25 individuals, to each donate $25,000, that will go a long way towards getting us to our goal of $2.5 million in the coming year.”
The Inner-City Foundation will hold their 25th annual benefit dinner on Tuesday, November 1 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich. For tables and tickets or for more information about The Inner-City Foundation or to donate to The Inner-City Foundation’s 25th Year Appeal, visit The Inner-City Foundation for Charity & Education at www.innercityfoundation.org, email communications@innercityfoundation.org or call 203.416.1496.
About The Inner-City Foundation for Charity & Education
The Inner-City Foundation For Charity & Education is a 501(c)(3) non-sectarian foundation that supports education and other programs addressing the most basic human needs of Fairfield County residents seeking help, and strives to support organizations that provide not only a safety net but also a springboard to a better future. Organizations providing food, clothing, shelter, education and counseling to at-risk and needy children and adults of Fairfield County may apply for grants, and will be considered. Founded in 1992, the Inner-City Foundation has provided more than $28 million to about 200 local organizations over the last quarter-century.
For more information about The Inner-City Foundation or to donate visit The Inner-City Foundation for Charity & Education at www.innercityfoundation.org, email communications@innercityfoundation.org or call 203.416.1496.
Photo caption: A young man inspects his work at an urban garden created by Work & Learn, a program run by Domus Kids in Stamford. Work & Learn provides employment experience for chronically unemployed, at-risk youth in one of several youth-run businesses including a bicycle-repair shop, woodworking shop, small-enginerepair shop, cafe, restaurant kitchen, and on-site urban garden. More than 40 percent of the par-ticipants in Work & Learn leave with a job, and many others go on to community college. The Inner-City Foundation provided support for the Domus-run Work & Learn program this year.
