Connecticut Community Foundation

06/04/2026

Please join us in congratulating this group for completing the second Level Up cohort of resident leaders! Level Up is a four-month coaching series supporting Black and Brown leaders in our region. Through individual coaching and group sessions, participants gained clarity on their goals and developed key leadership skills. Later this month, the group will meet with members from the first Level Up cohort to expand networks and grow the Level Up community.

06/02/2026

The Waterbury Black Giving Circle’s 3rd annual Juneteenth Celebration kicks off in less than two weeks! Join us for free on Friday, June 12, at CT State Community College – Naugatuck Valley at 5:30 p.m. to meet DJ Nahari, local student entertainer from Westside Middle School, hear Waterbury students share original speeches about black history, and honor black-led organizations changing lives right here in Waterbury. Space is limited, so RSVP to reserve your spot: https://conncf.org/event/waterbury-black-giving-circle-juneteenth-celebration-2026/
See you there!

05/26/2026

The Waterbury Black Giving Circle's Juneteenth Celebration is back! You're invited to celebrate another year of collective giving, honor grant awardees, and elevate young local voices on Friday, June 12. In addition to grant recipient awards, this year's Juneteenth Celebration will feature winning speeches delivered by students honored at the Circle’s Juneteenth Oratorical Contest. Enjoy good company, local food, dancing, and entertainment. This is a FREE community event – all are welcome. There is limited space, so please register to reserve your spot today at https://conncf.org/event/waterbury-black-giving-circle-juneteenth-celebration-2026/ We hope to see you there!

05/20/2026

Across NW Connecticut, support is becoming real, visible impact. Pride in the Hills’ latest grant cycle is now actively at work in our communities, strengthening LGBTQIA+ programming centered on mental health, youth support, connection, and safe, affirming spaces. Support includes:

Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals, Inc.’s Q***r Outreach Worker, providing essential mental health and substance use outreach across Litchfield County.

The Health Collective is supporting scholarships for LGBTQIA+ youth to attend the SOGIE Conference, expanding access to affirming statewide spaces.

Naugatuck YMCA PRISM Pride and Respect for Identity and Sexuality Mission program continues youth LGBTQ+ advocacy, peer support, and community programming connected to local Pride events.

The New Milford Youth Agency was supported for its Annual Pride Prom, Pride Month billboard, and ongoing LGBTQIA+ youth programming.

The Greater Waterbury Pride Coalition, through The People’s Place, is supported for PrideFest, helping sustain regional visibility and celebration.

The Afro Caribbean Cultural Center Inc is supported in hosting a BIPOC LGBTQIA+ healing and wellness retreat focused on restoration and empowerment.

These grants reflect Pride in the Hills’ mission of building safer, more affirming communities where every identity is seen, supported, and celebrated! 🌈 Learn more at https://www.prideinthehillsfund.org/

05/14/2026

Support your local community! North End Cooperative Market is hosting Tea & Bowties - an elegant afternoon of tea, connection, and community on Sunday, June 28

Tea & Bow Ties—an elegant afternoon of tea, connection, and community, where every moment supports organizations making a meaningful impact.

05/14/2026

Earlier this week, we partnered with the City of Waterbury to host Banking on Community, a gathering that connected Waterbury organizations with local financial institutions. Nonprofit leaders and staff engaged in discussions about grants, loans, lines of credit, CRA-aligned partnerships, and other support for program growth and long-term sustainability. Thank you to all the banks that participated, to the nonprofits who attended, and to Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski Jr. Stay tuned – Banking on Community may be coming to a town near you in the future!
City of Waterbury - Mayor's Office
Bank of America, FD Community Federal Credit Union, Ion Bank, Ives Bank, Mutual Security Credit Union, Northwest Community Bank, Santander Bank US, TD, Thomaston Savings Bank, Torrington Savings Bank, Union Savings Bank, Webster Bank

05/05/2026

We’re so grateful to everyone who joined the Women’s Giving Circle gathering last week. Attendees reflected on the novel “The Women” By Kristin Hannah, exploring how themes of courage, resilience, and the oftentimes unseen contributions of women relate to experiences of women and girls in our local community. A special thank you to our guest speakers Kristen Angell Iseppi from Southbury Arts and Culture Alliance - SACA and Aria Gilbert, student at CT State Community College – Naugatuck Valley. Their stories remind us of the transformative impact of collective action – right here in our region. The Women’s Giving Circle is open to anyone who cares about improving the lives of women and girls across Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills. There’s still time to donate, join, and cast your vote for organizations that will be awarded in June. Stay tuned! conncf.org/wgc

04/29/2026

We were honored to receive St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Waterbury's 2026 Father Cascia Service Award earlier this month! Thank you!

04/23/2026

WOW! Our community raised over $2.9 million in 36 hours for 355 local nonprofits during Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills 2026! To the many sponsors and 7500+ donors who believed in Give Local 2026 and the power of community, we thank you! Please view the detailed results at givelocalccf.org.