Our Leadership Efforts
Arts Collaborative
The Connecticut Community Foundation, the Waterbury Regional Chamber and the Connecticut Commission on the Arts organized an Arts Summit in 2005 that led to the formation of the Waterbury Region Arts and Culture Collaborative.
Working to enhance the fine work of our region’s many arts and cultural institutions, the Connecticut Community Foundation encouraged area arts agencies to consider ways to strengthen local marketing, encourage joint programming, and build audiences.
As a result, the Waterbury Region Arts and Culture Collaborative has developed a Web site, joint brochures and launched “Out with the Artists” events.
Rivers Alliance of Connecticut and a coalition of stakeholders are working to manage and restore the Shepaug River.
Initially convened by the Connecticut Community Foundation, a group of environmental nonprofits identified the importance of gathering baseline information on existing ecological conditions in and along the Shepaug River.
This information will be used as the City of Waterbury implements a new water management system to meet its needs and releases additional water to the Shepaug River.
In 2009, the Connecticut Community Foundation awarded a $30,000 grant to Rivers Alliance of Connecticut to conduct this work including approximately $5,000 for water-quality monitoring equipment which was placed just downstream of the new releases of water. Read more
Cancer and heart disease remain two of the leading causes of death in the United States.
The Connecticut Community Foundation has been able to bring in national models of care working in partnership with area hospitals, health professionals, community agencies and the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association.
Nonprofit Assistance Initiative (NAI)
The Nonprofit Assistance Initiative (NAI), a joint program of the Connecticut Community Foundation and the United Way of Greater Waterbury, strengthens our nonprofits through technical assistance, grants, professional advisors and other resources that are available in our Nonprofit Survival Kit.
The NAI also serves as a regional conduit for the latest information on nonprofit best practices, innovation and excellence.
Lifelong Learning
The vision of one person, the staff support from a local private foundation, the interest of a local university and the leadership of the Connecticut Community Foundation resulted in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Connecticut in Waterbury.
Since its inception in 2006, OLLI has offered a wide range of classes and events to more than 750 area seniors.
LitLinks
The Connecticut Community Foundation is working in many of our 21 towns to help preschools and elementary schools improve kindergarten readiness, and insure that elementary school students are on target to be reading on grade level by age 8.
Through our LitLinks program, we partner with agencies to add new facilities and assist teachers, principals, child center directors, and parents to develop family resource centers. Read more
The Women’s Initiative Fund is a permanent endowment, established in 1993 at the Connecticut Community Foundation to support innovative programs that improve the quality of life of women and children in our region.
Co-founders, Kay Campbell and Peggy Lawlor, recruited dozens of area women to establish the fund. Since then hundreds of people have contributed to the fund with their time, talent and treasure – forming a giving circle that continues to grow. Learn more
