TORRINGTON, CT -- The Draper Foundation Fund, a fund of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, recently awarded area nonprofits $665,565. The Fund awarded $546,750 to 19 designated nonprofits and $118,815 in donor-advised grants to nonprofits that provide essential programs and services for residents of Northwest Connecticut.
Noteworthy donor-advised grants include:
- $15,000.00 to The American Mural Project, to support the Digital Content Development Project which will provide an extensive archive of digital material to use for exhibit tours, on-line education and communications.
“A grant…will help staff and professionals document the important stories behind the creation of the mural, creating prototypes for additional digital content in the future,” said Ellen Griesedieck, artistic director and president. “These documentary interviews will contribute to the creation of multi-media educational programs and a compelling exhibition experience for our audiences using the best digital resources available.”
- $15,830.00 to Community Kitchen of Torrington, to support the engagement of a consultant to create a strategic plan for long-term sustainability.
“We look forward to examining our present operations from seeking funds, providing meals, to attracting more volunteers,” said Debra Brown, co-president of the board of directors. “We hope that a strategic planner can help us determine how best to sustain all aspects of our mission.”
- $3,500.00 to FISH of Northwestern Connecticut, to support the purchase of a new business telephone system.
“As we experienced and examined our phone communications challenges, we recognize both the human needs factor and economic advantages,” said Deirdre DiCara, executive director. “We believe the telephone system change will prove to make the agency more user friendly and efficient...Dealing with emergencies, behavioral issues in the Shelter, and questions from the public and donors, should make our response time more nimble to those we serve.”
- $14,200.00 to Winsted Family Resource Center, to support the purchase of office furniture, home visit books, books and supplies for School Readiness bags, and a camera.
“Our surveys indicate that the parents are using the materials regularly to support their child's learning and readiness for the rigors of kindergarten,” said Ruthann Horvay, director. “Our Free/Reduced Lunch rate has increased dramatically over the past few years up to 64.9% presently at the Batcheller Early Education Center, suggesting that families may not have the resources to purchase these items on their own.”
The following is a complete list of nonprofit organizations that received donor-advised grants from The Draper Foundation Fund:
The American Mural Project - $15,000.00 to support the Digital Content Development Project which will provide an extensive archive of digital material to use for exhibit tours, on-line education and communications.
Community Kitchen of Torrington - $15,830.00 to support the engagement of a consultant to create a strategic plan for long-term sustainability.
Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities - $50,000.00 to support the cost of replacing a handicap accessible van used to transport clients to public areas for training with their service dogs.
FISH of Northwestern Connecticut - $3,500.00 to support the purchase of a new business telephone system.
New Beginnings of Northwest Hills Litchfield County - $7,900.00 to support the purchase of commercial washers and dryers, a business telephone system, two computers and a security system.
Winchester Youth Service Bureau - $6,385.00 to support construction of two portable changing room buildings for Rising Star Camp.
Winsted Area Child Care Center - $6,000.00 to support the cost of purchasing selected items from the recently closed First Church Children's Discovery Center, as well as two KinderVans and 10 art easels.
Winsted Family Resource Center - $14,200.00 to support the purchase of office furniture, home visit books, books and supplies for School Readiness bags, and a camera.
The following nonprofits designated by the Draper Foundation Fund receive awards bi-annually:
- Beardsley & Memorial Library
- Colebrook Associates, Inc.
- Colebrook Congregational Church
- Colebrook Historical Society, Inc.
- Cornell University for the Cornell Feline Health Center College of Veterinary Medicine
- W. L. Gilbert Trust Corporation
- Greenwoods Scholarship Foundation, Inc.
- Little Guild of St. Francis
- Northwestern Connecticut Community College
- Northwest CT YMCA
- The Salvation Army
- Tufts University, School of Veterinarian Medicine
- The University of CT Foundation, Inc.
- Vivisection Investigation League, a/k/a The Last Post
- We Adopt Greyhounds, Inc.
- Winchester Youth Service Bureau
- Winsted Area Child Care Center, Inc.
- Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc.
A $30‐million endowment from the estate of Jim and Shirley Draper of Colebrook, The Draper Foundation Fund represents the largest single gift in the Community Foundation’s history and one of the largest single gifts on record to a community foundation in the state of Connecticut. The Fund, which has grown to $35 million benefits mainly local charitable organizations by making yearly awards to nonprofits designated by the Drapers, as well as through annual donor‐advised grants, such as those listed above.
Established in 1969, the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation serves 20 towns in Northwest Connecticut. Its total endowment, comprised of more than 250 funds, has grown from initial assets of $15,000 to more than $87 million. Last year, combined grants and scholarships totaled more than $4.2 million.
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Contacts:
Nicole Carlson Easley
Communications Director
Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation
860-626-1245
neasley@northwestcf.org
Christina Tranquillo
Program and Communications Associate
Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation
860-626-1245
ctranquillo@northwestcf.org
Website: www.northwestcf.org