Valley Community Foundation

06/02/2026

Some people run toward emergencies when everyone else is running away.
Through the Advancing Heroes Fund, the Valley Community Foundation is helping EMTs continue their education and become paramedics — supporting the people who care for our communities on some of the hardest days imaginable.

This is what “Helping Those Who Help Us” looks like in action. Local people. Local impact. Lives changed right here in the Valley.

Watch the story and see how community support is helping future paramedics take the next step. https://youtu.be/Bz6CX3sZyVQ?si=p0_3LSI2AsG6_tp9

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05/28/2026

WPKN is a media partner with Celebrate Shelton for the 12th annual Food Trucks on the River festival down at Veterans Memorial Park. This year's event will feature 30+ tasty food trucks, 2 days of live music & local artisans, free mini golf, trivia & bingo games, pop up bar, and more!!

More information at https://www.celebrateshelton.com/food-trucks-on-the-river

05/28/2026

https://www.wtnh.com/video/sponsored-content-celebrate-shelton-the-ultimate-food-truck-weekend-in-shelton/11829498

Air date: 5/27/2026

05/26/2026

The Valley Community Foundation (VCF) is proud to support "The Valley Celebrates America’s 250" -- a VCF grant initiative designed to inspire and fund community-based programs and events that commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Through this initiative, VCF will award 30 grants of $500 per project to support initiatives across the five Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton between May 15 and November 15, 2026. These grants are intended to encourage community participation -- particularly among Valley youth -- in recognizing this historic milestone and highlighting the region’s contributions to the American story. Additional funds may be available for cross-town projects and/or events.

Grant funds may be used to support a wide range of project-related expenses associated with Valley Celebrates America’s 250. VCF aims to provide flexible support to help bring community-centered ideas to life.

Funding is available to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, libraries, historical societies, and other eligible community-based entities. While grants may not be awarded directly to individuals, collaborative projects led by individuals are eligible when administered through an appropriate organizational partner.

The Valley Celebrates America’s 250 seeks to support a diverse range of programming, including but not limited to educational events, historical exhibits, cultural performances, public art, storytelling initiatives, and community conversations. Projects should reflect on the Valley’s history, celebrate shared values, and uplift local stories that connect the Valley region to the broader American experience.

VCF encourages funding requests that are inclusive, accessible, and engaging for a wide audience, and that foster a deeper understanding of the past while inspiring civic pride and community connection in the present.

To Apply for a Grant Click here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJwqou6KBuKiBqLj8fUxp_puFxhNHFwXafHa330y8M2R2WaQ/viewform?pli=1

THIS SATURDAY 5/30 at the David Humphreys House.

Presented thanks to a grant from the Valley Community Foundation's America 250 Committee.

05/26/2026

For Peter Stamos, the Ansonia Public Library was more than a building filled with books. It was a place of friendship, learning, curiosity, and community for more than 70 years. A lifelong educator and avid reader, Peter believed deeply in the power of libraries to open minds and enrich lives.

Through the Peter Stamos Fund at the Valley Community Foundation, his family created a lasting legacy that will continue supporting library programs, improvements, and opportunities for generations to come. It’s a beautiful reminder that when people invest in the places they love, communities continue to grow stronger.

Watch the story: https://youtu.be/6rzmJHXj8pY?si=LqNimKQkKy0jOrYz

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05/25/2026

05/21/2026

05/20/2026

The Valley Community Foundation (VCF) is proud to support "The Valley Celebrates America’s 250", a VCF grant initiative designed to inspire and fund community-based programs and events that commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Through this initiative, VCF will award 30 grants of $500 per project to support initiatives across the five Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton between May 15 and November 15, 2026. These grants are intended to encourage community participation -- particularly among Valley youth -- in recognizing this historic milestone and highlighting the region’s contributions to the American story. Additional funds may be available for cross-town projects and/or events.

Grant funds may be used to support a wide range of project-related expenses associated with Valley Celebrates America’s 250. VCF aims to provide flexible support to help bring community-centered ideas to life.

Funding is available to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, libraries, historical societies, and other eligible community-based entities. While grants may not be awarded directly to individuals, collaborative projects led by individuals are eligible when administered through an appropriate organizational partner.

The Valley Celebrates America’s 250 seeks to support a diverse range of programming, including but not limited to educational events, historical exhibits, cultural performances, public art, storytelling initiatives, and community conversations. Projects should reflect on the Valley’s history, celebrate shared values, and uplift local stories that connect the Valley region to the broader American experience.

VCF encourages funding requests that are inclusive, accessible, and engaging for a wide audience, and that foster a deeper understanding of the past while inspiring civic pride and community connection in the present.

To Apply for a Grant Click here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJwqou6KBuKiBqLj8fUxp_puFxhNHFwXafHa330y8M2R2WaQ/viewform?pli=1

05/19/2026

In Memory of Dorothy Palazzi:

The Valley Community Foundation (VCF) is saddened to learn of the passing of longtime Valley resident Dorothy Palazzi, a beloved community member and valued VCF fundholder and member of the Gates Society.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to her niece, Mary Pepe, her entire family, and to all who knew and loved Dorothy. Her kindness, loyalty to the Valley and quiet generosity will be remembered fondly. Her family has asked that memorial contributions can be made in Dorothy's honor to the Palazzi Family Fund, or to the Derby Public Library.

https://www.valleyfoundation.org/articles/palazzi-family-fund