STAMFORD, Conn., Sept. 25, 2012 ─ The First County Bank Foundation recently distributed a total of $134,294 in grants to 18 nonprofits in Stamford targeting housing, senior care, students, job skills/placement, and health and wellness programs for families and children.
“This tough economy has had a serious impact to many families in Fairfield County. As part of First County Bank’s efforts to give back to the communities we serve, these grants represent a small portion of what’s needed on a regular basis to help the people of Stamford and lower Fairfield County,” said First County Bank Foundation Vice President Katherine Harris. “This year marks the first time the foundation has donated money to Shelter for the Homeless, St. Joseph Parenting Center and Technology Solutions for Nonprofits. All excellent programs that deserved our funding,” explained Harris, who is also president and chief operating officer of First County Bank.
Last year the First County Bank Foundation awarded more than $591,000 to 110 nonprofit organizations throughout lower Fairfield County. Since its inception in 2001, the foundation has awarded a total of 644 individual grants, worth more than $4.6 million.
Established in 2001 in honor of the bank’s 150th anniversary, the First County Bank Foundation was created to distribute funds annually to nonprofit organizations that support community and economic development for children and families. As a mutual bank with no shareholders, First County Bank considers contributions made by the foundation a means of paying dividends back to the local communities it serves.
To be eligible for First County Bank Foundation grants, organizations must have nonprofit tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; be located in Stamford, Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk or Westport; have community support; address community needs; have measurable outcomes; and demonstrate fiscal and administrative responsibility. Special consideration is given to those agencies or programs benefiting low to moderate income populations.
The following Stamford-based nonprofits received First County Bank Foundation grants:
Organization
Grant
Amount
Cause
Neighbors Link Stamford
$5,000
Implementing Best Practice Strategies for Immigrant Integration
New Neighborhoods Inc.
$15,000
Tenant Advocate Program at the Atlantic; to create an environment that encourages residents to take steps to improve their situation and make their homes and neighborhoods better places to live
Rebuilding Together
$5,000
Preserve and revitalize houses and communities
The Salvation Army
$5,000
Back to School Program: distribute backpacks with school supplies to Stamford public school students prior to the start of the school year
Senior Services of Stamford
$10,000
Medical Transportation Program
The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education
$5,000
Education, advocacy and counseling
Shelter for the Homeless
$10,000
Assistance with soft costs associated with a housing development initiative to create 50 units of permanent supported housing
SoundWaters
$10,000
Camp SoundWaters
St. Luke’s LifeWorks
$10,000
Housing, job placement, counseling, medical care and children’s services
St. Joseph Parenting Center
$2,000
Replicate 20-week free parenting education program to strengthen families in an attempt to prevent child abuse and neglect
Stamford Emergency Medical Services
$9,793.56
Three Stryker Power Pro Stretchers
Stamford Partnership
$5,000
The Stamford Partnership is a public/private partnership working to enhance the quality of life for those who live and/or work in Stamford.
Stamford Public Education Foundation
$2,500
Stamford Mentoring Program serving 140, 6th-9th grade students in four schools
Stamford Senior Center
$5,000
Health & Wellness Program – support physical and emotional health among adults 50 and older
Starfish Connection
$5,000
Sole sponsorship of group enrichment programs for 30 children
Technology Solutions for Nonprofits c/o United Way of Western Connecticut
$5,000
Fund expansion of the Technology Assessment Program and the Hosted Services Migration Program
United Way
$15,000
To have the most effective long-term impact in Stamford, United Way invests in local programs making a measurable difference, and convenes the community to bring action to local issues. Grant money is being used for Stamford-based programs.
Yerwood Center
$10,000
Scholars Extended Day Program serving more than 100 children in K-5th grade through school programs that target academic and personal development
First County Bank, headquartered in Stamford, Conn. for more than 160 years, is an independent mutual community bank with 15 branches in Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk and Westport offering deposit products, mortgages, trust and investment services, business banking services and online banking. First County Bank has more than 220 employees and assets in excess of $1.3 billion. For additional information, please visit www.firstcountybank.com. Become a fan by clicking “Like” on the bank’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/firstcountybank. Follow it on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/firstcountybank or look for First County Bank on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/company/920207.
# # #
