2021 Community Report

Funds Provide for a Better Future, Now and Forever

Our more than 320 funds address current and emerging needs in the areas of arts and culture, civic improvements, basic needs, and animal care and conservation, and put education within reach for local students.

Funds Established in 2021

Bruce Bell Fund - This fund protects wild and scenic resources and promotes their safe and sustainable use by the public. Resources include forests and other wildlife habitat, as well as watersheds, and their attendant animal and fish populations. The geographic focus of the Bruce Bell Fund is the northwest corner of CT and the contiguous portion of the Housatonic Valley in Massachusetts.

Cornwall Conservation Trust Lot 19 Valley Road Stewardship Fund - One of 24 funds, this fund is used for land acquisition and management, with the aim of preserving unspoiled open space for the benefit of the community at large.

CT Volunteer Services for the Blind & Handicapped Digital Fund AND CT Volunteer Services for the Blind & Handicapped Fund - These funds support the CT Volunteer Services for the Blind and Handicapped in its work with the Connecticut State Library’s Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH) to record books, pamphlets, and magazines as digital talking books for those who cannot hold or read printed material.

Dana Joseph Pallotto Memorial Fund - This fund supports the CT Volunteer Services for the Blind and Handicapped in its work to record books, pamphlets, and magazines as digital talking books for those who cannot hold or read printed material.

Douglas and Janet Roberts Fund - This field-of-interest fund established through the estate of Douglas E. Roberts, supports the programs of nonprofits working to improve life for the residents of Barkhamsted and educational enrichment for Barkhamsted students.

Estelle A. and David A. MacKenzie Fund - This donor-advised fund supports charitable, scientific, and educational initiatives in Northwest CT.

Jill Pudlinski Tavano Memorial Scholarship Fund - This fund, established in memory of Jill Pudlinski Tavano, awards two scholarships annually one to a Torrington High School graduate pursuing a career in mathematics, and one to a Torrington High
School graduate pursuing a career in science.

Marion and Vic Muschell Family Fund - This donor-advised fund supports charitable, scientific, or educational initiatives in Northwest CT.

Sue Strisik Grossman Fund - This donor-advised fund supports charitable, scientific, and educational initiatives in Northwest CT.

Claire and Robert Dombi Fund - This donor-advised fund supports charitable, scientific, or educational initiatives in Northwest CT and beyond.

William and Sally Vaun Scholarship Fund - This fund awards scholarships to Northwest CT students pursuing a degree in medicine, both human and veterinary, and students pursuing environmental studies.

Women & Girls Scholarship Fund: Helping Our Heroes - In partnership with Northwestern Connecticut Community College,
this fund supports women enrolled in healthcare degree programs at Northwestern Connecticut Community College.

Supporting Organizations

Supporting Organizations are similar to private foundations in that they operate with a separate board of directors with grant-making responsibilities, but because they operate under NCCF they operate more efficiently and with the benefits of a public charity. Directors enjoy a high amount of involvement in their philanthropy while benefiting from NCCF grant and investment expertise and administrative support.

Foundation For Community Health works together with people and organizations to improve the health and well-being of residents in our community, especially those that have historically been under-resourced.

Foundation for Community Health makes grants, conducts research, provides technical assistance, and supports collaborations and advocacy with a focus on underlying conditions impacting health, such as homes, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

Grants

• Connecticut Health Advancement and Research Trust, Inc.
• The Robert C. Geer Memorial Hospital, Inc.
• McCall Center for Behavioral Health
• Women’s Support Services

The John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation was created for the purpose of protecting and improving the welfare of animals of all kinds with a focus on cats and dogs, the promotion of veterinary programs, and the protection of wildlife, including endangered species, flora, and fauna.

Grants

• Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs
• The Animal Haven
• Catrock Ventures, Inc.
• Connecticut Humane Society
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
• Groundwork Bridgeport, Inc
• Little Guild of Saint Francis
• Mercy College
• Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society
• Middlesex Community College Foundation
• Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement, Inc.
• Mohawk Hudson Humane Society
• MSPCA
• New England Federation of Humane Societies
• Northwestern Connecticut Community College
• New Hartford Land Trust
• New Haven Land Trust
• The Norfolk Land Trust
• Regents of the University of California, Davis
• Salisbury Association, Inc.
• Shelter Animals Count
• Warren Land Trust
• Whiskers Pet Rescue, Inc.

Sally Vaun
Making the Northwest Corner Even Better

Sally Vaun spent much of her childhood playing in the rolling farmland of Pennsylvania.

She worked on her family’s farm tending to chickens, turkeys, and sheep.

Living in a close-knit community of farmers, Sally often helped her friends with their chores, feeding the chickens and collecting eggs, so they could run off to play or sneak a ride on a nearby cow, climbing up on its bony back and trotting around the pasture to wild giggles.

By the 1960s, Sally was working as a volunteer at Hartford Hospital in the emergency room: cleaning and prepping gurneys, greeting patients, getting them blankets, and helping family members navigate the hospital. It was there that she met William “Bill” Vaun, a young doctor completing his residency. A year later, they were married.

Bill had grown up in Hartford, the son of Greek immigrants. His father died young of throat cancer.

“Bill’s family lived modestly,” said Sally. “His mother was not sure he should go to college at all. I think it was losing his father that inspired him to become a doctor. He wanted to help people experiencing illness.”

Bill received the Jacob L. and Lewis Fox Foundation Scholarship to attend Trinity College as an undergraduate and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. After graduation, he joined the United States Air Force and worked in The Pentagon.

Throughout his career, Bill practiced internal medicine, specializing in endocrinology. He taught at St. Luke’s Hospital, the Cleveland Clinic, the Hahnemann University Hospital in Pennsylvania, and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, focusing on the future of medicine, including Alzheimer’s research and education.

“Bill was meticulous as a physician and a brilliant diagnostician,” said Sally. “Colleagues brought him the most difficult
cases.”

Wherever they settled, Sally was busy caring for animals, adopting retired racehorses and volunteering. In New Jersey, Sally organized a horseback riding program for children with physical and developmental disabilities and volunteered with the Junior League.

“It was just so heartwarming to see children, who were often in a wheelchair, riding, being so active and feeling more confident. You could see it in their faces. Their teachers would tell me, ‘He is so assertive now. Before he was reluctant to do things. Now he partakes much more in the school.’"

When Bill retired, they settled in Norfolk. Sally began to volunteer at the Norfolk Historical Society and the Norfolk Community Association. She served on the Alumni Board of Chase Collegiate School in Waterbury.

In 2014, Bill passed away from complications of Alzheimer’s, a disease he had spent years researching.

In 2021, after speaking with her professional advisor and considering the needs of her local community, Sally Vaun established the Northwest CT Community Foundation William and Sally Vaun Scholarship Fund.

The fund awards scholarships to students pursuing degrees in medicine and healthcare for both humans and animals and to students pursuing degrees in environmental studies, specifically ecology and environmental sciences.

As an endowed fund, the principal of the William and Sally Vaun Scholarship Fund will continue to grow through prudent investment, while annual scholarship awards support local students and strengthen education in the Northwest Corner forever.

“There is a need for medical professionals serving people and animals,” said Sally. “It’s important that we help young people become educated, to see what’s happening, and to be able to make things better. People and animals need to be cared for.”

Gifts for a Better Northwest Corner

In 2021, Northwest Corner community members gave millions of dollars in gifts in response to immediate needs, and to support causes that matter and programs making a difference.

Janet Accardo
Bernard Adams & Edna Travis
Alliance All Trades, Inc.
Altek Electronics, Inc.
Stephen and Joan Altschuler
The Asen Foundation
Assured Partners Northeast
Ann and Travers Auburn in memory of Charles J Calder, Jr.
AYCO Charitable Foundation in honor of Guy Rovezzi
Babbitt Family Charitable Trust
Richard Babcock
Bardel Family Fund
Barron Financial Group, LLP in honor of Atty. John Logan and Barron Financial
Group Clients
Anita Baxter
Anita and William Baxter
Anne Bell
Richard and Anne Bell
Jayne Bentzen
Renee Betar
Robert and Barbara Bettigole
Linda Bianowicz
Jonathan and Victoria Biller
Gini and Jim Blackketter
Linda Blakely
Mae Casali Bonvicini Charitable Foundation
Allan and Maria Borghesi
Jeffrey and Susan Borghesi
Thomas and Ann Bott
Elizabeth and Martin Brayboy
Bradley and Susan Bremer
John Brett and Jane Strong
Harry and JoAnn Briggs
Joyce Briggs
Brooks, Todd and McNeil Insurance
Ralph and Elizabeth Brown
Woodie and Pixie Brown
Melva Bucksbaum Family Foundation
Frank and Sarah Buonocore in memory of Charles Buonocore
Burlington Construction Co., Inc. in memory of Patricia Ann Finn
Barbara R. Calder in memory of Charles J. Calder, Jr.
John and Lorraine Calder in memory of Charles J. Calder, Jr.
Malcolm H. Campbell in memory of Thomas Howard
Nancy and Robert Cannavo in memory of Joyce Blecher Nalette
Sandra Canning
John and Maria Capobianco
Carl’s True Value
E. Walter Carlson
Tiffany Carr
Tammy Casey
Susan and Mark Caufield
Gladys Cerruto in memory of Kym Magyar
Thomas Chappell in memory of Charles J. Calder, Jr.
Chelsea Groton Foundation
Frank J. Chiaramonte
Ellen L. Childs in memory of David Childs
Hope S. Childs
Richard A. Chizzonite
Chubb Charitable Foundation matching gift of Tracy Tucker
Church of Christ Congregational
Seth and Kelly Churchill
Martha Green and Alan Cohen
Alan and Pam Colavecchio
Sara S. Conklin in honor of Bibby Veerman
Connecticut Community Foundation
Connecticut On-Line Computer Center
Margaret Cooley
The Cork Fine Wine & Spirits
Dr. Roger Coutant
Crane Fund for Widows and Children
The D’Angelo Family in memory of Dominic D’Angelo
Jack David and Melanie Kirkpatrick
DBA Wide Open Golf Tournament
Susan T. Dean
Robert and June DeMichiel
Rohit and Kay Desai
Richard and Fran Dichillo
*John and Ann Dillon
Elaine Dinto in memory of Frances Ducci
Paul Dinto in memory of Frances Ducci
Edward W. Diskavich
Anthea Disney
Alan Diulio
Edward and Anne Dodge
*Robert and Claire Dombi
Doolittle Lake Company
Marcia Doyle
Kate Doyle-Fahey
The Hon. Anne C. Dranginis
William and Donna Ducci
Dan Dwyer and Jim Montanari
Robert F. Dwyer, Esq.
Eastside Electric, Inc.
Andrea Ellinger in honor of Alan Diulio and Susan and Tim Cook
Joseph and Barbara Ellis
Michael Emont and Margo Rappoport
Sergei and Zoe Fedorjaczenko
Anne Sutherland Fuchs in honor of Guy Rovezzi
Jane Garmey
Barbara Garside
Andrea and Mary Ellen Geisser
Thomas and Mary Jane Gelormino
Patricia A. Gelormino in memory of Anthony Gelormino
Carole Gibney
Clinton and Nancy Gilbert
John and Carole Gilbert
Andrew and Michelle Girton
William and Betsy Goff
Christine Golaszewski in memory of Casimir “Cas” P. Kovalaski
Anne C. Grant in honor of John Calhoun, Donald Heiny, and Dr. John O’Neil
Edward and Dinny Greene
Drs. Leigh Evans and Dick Gusberg
Blake B. and Sue Hall. Jr.
Hallingby Family Foundation
William G. Harding
Hartford Healthcare
John A. Herrmann
Anna Heys
Paul and Jane Hinkel
Mac Horner
Peter R. Houldin
Housing Authority of the City of Torrington
Daniel D. Hubbard
Amy Hudak
Luce and John Jakimetz
John and Roberta Janco
Nina Jaroslaw and Mark Tecotzky in honor of Dr. Frank R. Vanoni
Daniel and Leila Javitch
Jasper Johns
Jeff and Diane Johnson
Barton and Debby Jones
Josephine Jones
Jane Kaczmarek in memory of Ben Paley
Zachary Karabell and Nicole Alger
Emily and Matt Karpas
Dwight Keeney
Gregg and Deborah Kelly
Terry Lynn Kelly
Katherine Kinane
Dr. Leslie Kish
Betsy Kittridge and Christopher Little
Barbara and Gene Kohn in honor of Anne Sutherland Fuchs
Betsy Krebs
David and Margot Krimmel
Richard and Mary Lanier
Roxana Laughlin
Corky and John Lavieri
Sheryl Leach and Howard Rosenfeld
Kevin and Robin Ledversis in memory of Sue Grossman
Charles Lemmen
Richard Leone
Jedd and Susan Levine
Eileen and Peter Litwin
Richard Loyer in memory of Mary O. Loyer
The Loyola Foundation
Carol S. Lugar
*David A. MacKenzie
Sandra C. Magyar
Maletta Pfeiffer & Associates, LLC
Mark Malloy
Ellen C. Marino
Skip and Lyn Mattoon
Samuel and Carolyn Mazzarelli
Stephen and Stephanie Mazzarelli
Kerwin Mayers
McDonald’s
Greg and Janet Mele
Stephen and Ruth Melville
Peter and Judy Menikoff
Kenneth and Denise Merz
Atty. James and Linnea Mescall
Lisabeth Milewski in memory of Annmarie Haendiges
James and Barbara Millar
Willard and Patricia Minton in memory of Peter Minton
Katherine Moore
Richard and Barbara Moore
Gayle E. Moraski in honor of Shirley MacCallum
John F. Morgan
John and Julia Morris in honor of Ann Smith
Mullins Family Foundation
Victor M. Muschell
Rebecca and Jim Neary
Benjamin Nickoll and Christine Armstrong
Northwest Community Bank in memory of Charles J. Calder, Jr.
John C. and Nancy G. Novogrod
O&G Industries, Inc.
Douglas and Linda O’Connell
Estate of Karen M. O’Connor
Margo J. O’Connor in memory of Russell J. O’Connor, Jr.
Jonathan Old
Cathy Oneglia
Cynthia Oneglia in memory of Anita Torizzo
Cynthia Oneglia and Dan Whalen
Daniel and Elizabeth Oneglia in memory of Frank and Mary Rovezzi
The Francis J. & Louisa J. Oneglia Foundation, Inc.
Philip V. Oppenheimer and Mary Close
PAC Group, LLC
Andrew Pace
Timothy Palmer and Regan Byrne-Palmer
Victoria and Fran Patrick in honor of the Patrick and DeMichiel Families
Kirsten M. Peckerman
People’s United Bank, Wealth Management
Luke Pepper
Hon. Candy Perez
Catherine Perga
Jennifer Perga
Gregory and Linda Perosino
Jean and Frank Perotti
Bob Petricone
F. Robert and Janet Petricone
Stephen Petricone
John and Patricia Pickard
Susan Pinsky and Marc Rosen
Estate of Sharon F. Piper
Sam Posey and Ellen Griesedieck
Progressive Paving and Construction
Tom Quinn & Maria Horn Family Fund
Josephine Radocchio in memory of Camille Radocchio
Clare Rashkoff in memory of Dr. Evan Rashkoff
Susan Rea in honor of Sandra Zielinski
Michael Reardon in memory of David Reardon and Tim Considine
Charles and Jane Klein Family Fund
Revolution Resources LLC
David and Cristin Rich
Elizabeth Richebourg Rea
Douglas Roberts
Sandra B. Roberts
Norman and Nancy Rogers
Charles W. and Molly Roraback
Margaret Roraback
Ronald and Rudy Rosenstein
Caren Ross
Nancy Ross And Family
Alan Rothfeld and Laura Colangelo
Guy and Patty Rovezzi
Jeanne Ruwet in memory of Thomas Howard
JoAnn Ryan
Quentin and Dale Ryan
Dr. Terrence Ryan and Dr. Elizabeth Whalen
William Ryan
William and Rosemarie Ryan
Philip G. Samponaro
Hugh and Ronnie Schoelzel
Joyce S. Schwartz Advised Fund
Rae Paige Schwarz
Michael Sconyers and Molly Ackerly, Esq.
Edith Scopino
Helen Scoville
Robert and Elaine Sederquist
Adrian and Margaret Selby
Margaret Selby
Dr. Ijaz Shafi
Alan Shayne and Norman Sunshine
Mark Shearer
Tammy and Robert Sherman in honor of Shirley MacCallum
Dennis G. Sherva
Charles Short and Chet Kranewski
Nan Skeie
Michael and Terina Smith
Terina Smith
Southcoast Health System
Benjamin Stapleton
Judy Staubo
Susan and Robert Stern
Laura and Steven Sundquist
Gregory Susla and Lisa Romano
Alex and Mary Taylor
Theroux, Nowell & Stoughton LLC
James A. and Sandra Thibault
Thomaston Savings Bank
Louis and Carol Timolat
Tony’s Coffee Express
Torrington Savings Bank
Torrington Savings Bank employee matches for
Jeff Geddes, John E. Janco, Janet Recidivi, and Lesa Vanotti
Torrington Winsted Area Rotary Club
Jane Tremper
Rachel Tway-Grant
United Nations Association of Connecticut
John and Sanda Ursone in memory of Charles J. Calder, Jr.
Melinda and William J. vanden Heuvel Foundation, Inc.
Elizabeth J. Varrichio in memory of Thomas Howard, and in memory of Larry
Varrichio
*Sally Vaun
Barbara Veerman
Michael and Kathy Voldstad
Thomas and Amy Vorenberg
Nancy R. Wadhams
Arete Warren in memory of William B. Warren
Kathleen Weinstein
Jane Whitney
Jane Whitney Gruson in honor of Anne Sutherland Fuchs
*Estate of Mary C. Williams
The Winsted Phoenix
Susannah Wood
Leone T. Young
YourCause
Christina Zielinski
Sandra Zielinski
Tresa and John Zimmerman
in memory of Robyn A. Macsata

Funds Keep Music Mountain Vibrant

“We are coming out of Covid stronger than before. Music Mountain is a vibrant place this summer.”

In the rolling hills of Falls Village, there is a small collection of buildings, tucked amid lush grounds. It is home to Music Mountain, a chamber music festival venue, an educational workshop, a place for community to gather and connect through live music—and the embodiment of an almost 100- year old dream.

Music Mountain was established in 1930 by Jacques Gordon, a talented young immigrant from Ukraine who rose to become the youngest concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony. While playing with the Berkshire String Quartet, Jacques set his sights on the hills of Falls Village to fulfill his dream of creating a chamber music festival.

Since then, Music Mountain has grown into a vibrant music venue, annually hosting dozens of chamber music performances, in addition to a new series of concerts featuring jazz, big band, and Broadway favorites. The Music Mountain Academy holds six workshops a year, welcoming young musicians who are mentored by seasoned artists.

Each August, the grounds are filled with music as community members of all ages gather and settle in with canvas and paintbrush in hand for the popular Painting Music event with local artist Vincent Inconiglios and the Cassatt String Quartet.

As the Pandemic worsened, for a brief moment, the music stopped.

“Everyone was so isolated,” said Oskar Espina-Ruiz, artistic and executive director of Music Mountain. “We knew we had to do something.”

With a grant from the Northwest CT Community Foundation Khurshed Bhumgara Fund and the Northwest CT Community Foundation Covid-19 Rapid Response Fund Music Mountain staff purchased sound reinforcement, recording, and livestreaming equipment.

“Live from Music Mountain,” a television-show inspired program featuring Oskar and various musicians, was born. Interviews, discussion, music, and laughter streamed out of Music Mountain and into the homes of 30,000 patrons.

“Community members got the opportunity to see us, to talk to their favorite musicians, we cracked jokes and answered questions from viewers in real-time, and of course, we played music.”

“Music is transformative,” said Oskar. “And, it’s social. We learned so much about using technology to connect with each other. We all recuperated a part of what we were missing that summer.” As restrictions eased, Music Mountain employed the new technology to welcome community members to enjoy Music Mountain from the grounds. Two large screens on the lawn live-streamed concerts from inside the building as music poured from audiophile speakers. Community members sat at socially distanced picnic tables or brought blankets and chairs from home. Others enjoyed the concert inside Gordon Hall masked and socially distanced.

“They had a really good time,” said Oskar. “And we were able to host more people safely. The technology purchased through the support of the Community Foundation enables people to enjoy music in the fresh air on the grounds, and it enables those who cannot come here because of age, or illness to log in and enjoy a live show from the comfort of their homes.

“We are coming out of Covid stronger than before. Music Mountain is a vibrant place this summer.”

Grants Make the Northwest Corner Better Now and Far into the Future

$5 million in grants were awarded through the generosity of fundholders, supporting organization trustees, fund advisors, and donors. Nonprofits were awarded grants for immediate needs, for programs and capital projects that support local nonprofits working to improve lives and strengthen communities.

The Actors Fund
After School Arts Program
AHA - AfterSchool Program
The American Mural Project
Angioma Alliance
AsAmNews c/o Asian American Journalists
Association
Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Asian Law
Caucus
Asian Women’s Shelter
Auntie Sewing Squad Projects c/o Art2Action, Inc.
Bakerville Community Nursery School
Bank Street College of Education
Barkhamsted Historical Society
Batcheller Early Education Center
Beardsley & Memorial Library
Book Industry Charitable Foundation
Botelle Elementary School
Bronc Callahan Community Fund, Inc.
Building One Community
The Cabins, Inc.
Cameron House Foundation
Canaan Child Care Center
Cancer Care Fund of the Litchfield Hills
Caring For Bethlehem, Inc.
Center For Healthy Aging - HHC NW Region
Charlotte Hungerford Hospital
Chinatown Community Development Center
Chinatown Museum Foundation
Chinese Historical Society of America
Chore Service, Inc.
Church of Christ Congregational
City of Torrington
CMHA/Northwest Center for Family Service & ME
Colebrook Associates, Inc.
Colebrook Congregational Church
Colebrook Historical Society
Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra
Community Kitchen of Torrington
Connecticut Association for Human Services
Connecticut Community Foundation
Connecticut Council for Philanthropy
Connecticut Democracy Center
Cornell University - Feline Health Center College of
Veterinary Medicine
Cornwall Conservation Trust
Cornwall Library Association
Cornwall Social Services
CT Arts Alliance
CT Community Nonprofit Alliance
CT Women’s Education and Legal Fund
EdAdvance
Family & Children’s Aid, Inc.
Family Strides, Inc.
First Congregational Church of Barkhamsted
FISH of Northwestern Connecticut
Fishes & Loaves Food Pantry
Five Points Gallery
Food Rescue US
Friendly Hands Food Bank, Inc.
Friends of Goshen Public Library
Friends of Main Street, Winsted
The Robert C. Geer Memorial Hospital, Inc.
Germantown Friends School
Gifts of Love and Community Farm of Simsbury
Goshen Community Care & Hospice, Inc.
Goshen Good Neighbor Fund, Inc.
Greenagers
Greenwoods Counseling Referrals
Greenwoods Scholarship Foundation, Inc.
Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Connecticut
Hands of Grace
Harwinton Historical Society
Harwinton Land Conservation Trust
Hazon
Healing Hoofbeats
Helping Hands Chore Service, Inc.
Homegrown National Park, Inc.
Hotchkiss Library of Sharon
Housatonic Child Care Center
Housatonic Valley Association
Housatonic Youth Service Bureau
Indian River Land Trust
Intersection for the Arts
Joyful Noise, Inc.
The Junior Women’s Club of Litchfield Hills
KidsPlay Children’s Museum
Kim Loo Sisters Project
LARC, Inc.
Last Post Cat Refuge (Vivisection Investigation
League)
Litchfield Community Center
Litchfield Department of Social Services
Litchfield Performing Arts
Little Britches Therapeutic Riding
Little Guild of Saint Francis
Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation
McCall Center for Behavioral Health
Mental Health Connecticut, Inc.
Museum of Chinese in America
Music Mountain
Navajo County Family Advocacy Center
New Beginnings of Northwest Hills Litchfield County, Inc.
New Hartford PTO
New Hartford Village Cemetery
New Hartford Volunteer Ambulance
New Opportunities, Inc.
Norfolk Foundation
The Norfolk Land Trust
North Canaan Social Services
Northwest Connecticut Arts Council
Northwest Connecticut Chamber Education
Foundation, Inc.
Northwest Connecticut YMCA
Northwest Conservation District
The Northwest Hills Refugee Resettlement Committee
C/o Church of Christ, Congregation, Goshen
Northwest Hills Council of Governments
Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board
Northwestern Connecticut Community College
Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory for the Arts
Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters
Nutmeg Symphony Orchestra
NYC Impact Sports, Inc.
Oberlin Shansi
Old Friends, Inc.
Oliver Wolcott Library, Inc.
Partners for Sustainable Healthy Communities
Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, Inc.
Pilobolus, Inc.
Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
Prime Time House
Quahog Bay Conservancy
Quilts That Care, Inc.
Regional Data Cooperative for Greater New Haven/
DataHaven
Running Start - Bringing Young Women to Politics
Salvation Army
Sharon Day Care Center
Sharon Fire Department, Inc.
Sharon Fire Department, Inc. Ambulance
SOAR Educational Enrichment Inc.
St. John Paul The Great Parish
St. John’s Episcopal Church
St. Mary’s Food Bank
Stamford Hospital Foundation
Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Susan B. Anthony Project
Symphony Hall
Tiverton Land Trust
Torrington Historical Society
Torrington Public Schools
The Torrington Library
Torrington Varsity Alumni Club
Torrington Winsted Area Rotary Club
Torrington Youth Service Bureau
Town of Barkhamsted
Town of Colebrook
Town of Falls Village
Town of Kent Social Services
Town of Norfolk
Town of Winchester Resident Assistance Fund
Trinity Lime Rock Episcopal Church
Tri-State Center For the Arts, Inc.
Tufts University, Cummings School of Veterinarian Medicine
United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia
United Church of Christ in Cornwall, Congregational
United Congregational Church
United East Athletics Association (UEAA)
United Way of Northwest Connecticut, Inc.
University of Connecticut Foundation, Inc.
Valley Thrift Shop
Veterans Service Office & Museum
The Voice of Art, Inc.
Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires, Inc.
W. L. Gilbert Trust Corporation
WAMC Northeast Public Radio
Warner Theatre
Warren Church Community Childcare
Washington Art Association, Inc.
We Adopt Greyhounds, Inc.
West Hartford Public Schools Foundation, Inc.
Winchester Youth Service Bureau
Winsted Area Child Care Center
The Winsted Phoenix
The Woodhall School, Inc.
Womankind
Women & Girls Scholarship Fund
Women’s Support Services
Yale University
Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue
YMCA Camp Mohawk, Inc.

Warm Beds and Nutritious Meals in Difficult Times

In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, communities in Northwest CT came together to ensure that economically challenged residents received the support they needed.

Because of the generosity of those in our communities and through the Northwest CT Community Foundation: Covid-19 Rapid Response Fund, Khurshed Bhumgara Fund, Edward W. Diskavich Fund, Draper Foundation Fund, The Echo Valley Foundation Fund, Marion Wm. & Alice Edwards Fund, Lucia Tuttle Fritz Fund, Jeffrey and Susan Lalonde Community Betterment Fund, Norfolk NET Fund, Raymond A. and Gloria B. Oneglia Family Fund, Edwin M. Stone and Edith H. Stone Fund, and Abraham & Joann Temkin Memorial Fund local nonprofits received continued support for our most vulnerable community members, almost $500,000 in grants in early 2021 to support the most basic of needs: food and shelter.

“We are very grateful,” said Pamela Carignan of The Salvation Army. “We witness people in need on a daily basis. Without the support of donors like you, our work would not be possible.”

In the fall of 2021, NCCF awarded an additional $81,500 in grants to nonprofits serving some of the area’s most economically distressed residents and providing for necessities—food, warmth, clothing, fuel assistance, and shelter.

“We see so many families in need every year. We truly appreciate your partnership in helping those who are struggling,” said Pastor Kevin Mongeau of Hands of Grace.

In 2021, grants in support of basic needs were awarded to organizations including: Town of Canaan Emergency Relief Food and Fuel, Caring for Bethlehem, Church of Christ Congregational, Community Kitchen of Torrington, Cornwall Food and Fuel, Cornwall Social Services, FISH of Northwestern CT, Food Rescue, Friendly Hands Food Bank, Gifts of Love, Hazon, Kent Social Services, Litchfield Department of Social Services, New Beginnings of Northwest Hills, Partners for Sustainable Healthy Communities, Salvation Army Winsted Regional Service Center, and Winchester Youth Service Bureau.

Scholarship Funds Build a Better Future for Local Students

180 local students were awarded more than $239,000 in scholarships and academic awards providing them with the support they need to become the next generation of scientists, engineers, artists, teachers, medical professionals, and entrepreneurs. Scholarship recipients began and resumed classes in the fall of 2021 with majors that varied from health care to transportation.

Audited Financials

For the year ending December 2021, with comparable totals for 2020

Statement of Activities

Investment Report

NCCF provides prudent stewardship of a sizeable community endowment designed to benefit future generations of Northwest CT citizens.

Our investment objective is to maximize the endowment’s purchasing power by pursuing long-term investment results that exceed the annual spending policy— the amount needed for grants and expenses—plus inflation. This allows for sufficient and predictable growth to meet pressing community needs while providing capital preservation into the future.

The oversight and assessment of investments are conducted by its Board of Directors and Investment Committee. Dedicated to the pursuit of strong returns within acceptable risk tolerances, the Investment Committee employs an asset-allocation strategy designed to capitalize on a well-diversified portfolio that performs well during a variety of market and economic conditions. In doing so, the Investment Committee considers past and expected future performance of available asset classes, including investment strategies of other community foundations, nonprofit endowments, and charitable funds, along with a variety of widely accepted performance benchmarks.

Corporate Investment Returns