Mission & History
Our Mission
The Connecticut Community Foundation, the region's center for philanthropy, engages the community to address its needs by connecting charitable resources to sustainable programs in human services, education, the environment, health care and the arts.
Our History
- 1923: Founded as the Waterbury Foundation, the first community foundation in Connecticut. The purpose of the Foundation was “...to improve the social and living conditions within Waterbury and the vicinity."
- Early 1950s: Sums to be disbursed were sizable enough that a committee of trustees was formed to make suggestions on possible grants—our first Grants Committee.
- 1970: Assets of the Foundation increased to $1.5 million with the bequest of over $1 million from Katherine Pomeroy.
- 1982: First office with staff opened.
- 1989: First scholarships awarded, totaling $10,450.
- 1993: Women’s Initiative Fund established. Co-founders Peggy Lawlor and Kay Campbell recruited friends, neighbors and colleagues to form a giving circle to invest in the future of women and children in our community.
- 1997: After school Youth in Action and YouthNET programs established by the Foundation as part of the 75th anniversary.
- 1998: Assets reach $27 million. Nonprofit Assistance Initiative (NAI) established by the Connecticut Community Foundation and the United Way of Greater Waterbury. Goal of NAI is to improve services to the community by helping nonprofits operate more effectively and efficiently.
- 2001: Center for Philanthropy established with first partner funder: Leever Foundation.
- 2003: LitLinks, a grant-making initiative to support early childhood education is established.
- 2004: Name changed to Connecticut Community Foundation to reflect our 21-town service area from Greater Waterbury to the Litchfield Hills.
- 2008: Goal to double annual distributions from Foundation and partner funders within five years is achieved with total grants and scholarships of $3.6 million.
