Foundations Challenge Boosts Campaign

The Annual Community Fundraising Campaign has received a major boost in the form of challenge grants from the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the Valley Community Foundation. Valley United Way will receive up to $30,000 and $10,000 respectively from each Foundation for a total of up to $40,000 if United Way successfully completes the challenge.

Under terms of the grants, United Way will receive $1.00 for every $2.00 in new and increased giving to this year's campaign. Past history with similar grants has shown that donors are excited by the chance to see their gifts matched and that giving increase as a result.

David Grant - Chairman of this year's campaign - said, "I would like to thank the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven and Valley Community Foundation for stepping up to the plate in these trying economic times and working hand and hand to help our current campaign which in turn helps all of our Valley associates to make the Valley a very special place to live."

Jack Walsh, Valley United Way President & C.O.O., said, "This is a strong incentive for many new businesses who have moved into the Valley, but have not yet been involved with campaign to see the value of their donations multiplied because of this grant. During difficult economic times, the community needs support more than ever."

Dave and his cabinet are already hard at work in planning this year's campaign which will officially kicked off at a reception hosted by BIC on September 22.

Since 1928, donors to The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven have built the community's endowment currently valued at over $300 million. In 2007, The Foundation’s Board of Directors distributed over $12 million in grants from approximately 640 different named charitable funds supporting a wide range of programs and projects. The Foundation’s service area encompasses: Ansonia, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, Derby, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, Wallingford, West Haven and Woodbridge.

Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation (VCF) is dedicated to making the Valley a better place to live and work by increasing philanthropy, especially permanent endowments; connecting donors to needs and opportunities; and providing leadership on critical community issues. It serves Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton, Connecticut and is lcoated at 2 Enterprise Drive, Suite 303, in Shelton. VCF is affiliated with the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven which ensures that VCF funds will have the benefit of the authority and oversight of a local Board, and will be administered efficiently and effectively by one of the nation's oldest and largest community foundations.

The grant to Valley United Way was made as part of VCF's First Competitive Application Process which resulted in awards of $171,000. Click here to learn more.