The Guilford Foundation (TGF) is pleased to announce that we have committed over $120,000 for initiatives and organizations serving Guilford in 2017, the most ever and a 17% increase from fiscal year 2016. This reflects 13 grants made through our competitive grant making (complete list below), 12 scholarship awards to graduating Guilford High School students, 10 grants from designated funds for local organizations, and investments in TGF-driven leadership initiatives (including the Shoreline Nonprofit Workshop Series).

In just the first half of 2017, TGF provided thirteen grants though our competitive grant making process ranging from $600 to repair Osprey platforms along the Guilford shoreline to $20,000 support the first performing arts festival in Guilford.  A complete list of competitive grants made in 2017 is as follows:

• $2,000 to Bare Necessities to support diapers for babies in need in Guilford.
• $1,000 to Camp Hazen to support financial assistance for Guilford campers.
• $5,000 to the Community Dining Room to purchase food products and packaging materials necessary for take-out meals.
• $2,900 to East Shore Health District to help build the first fully electric, solar powered pump out boat.
• $2,500 to the Neighborhood Music School to support the Guilford branch of the DoSo Dance Band.
• $20,000 to support the first Performing Arts Festival in Guilford, providing a weekend of workshops and performances that are open to all and free of charge.
• $3,000 to NeighborWorks New Horizons to improve landscaping and signage at Hubbard Woods Development in Guilford.
• $800 to the Guilford Garden Club to support tree planting.
• $3,250 to the Guilford Housing Authority to expand parking at Guilford Court.
• $600 to the Menunkatuck Audubon Society to replace Osprey nest platforms as needed in Guilford.
• $1,000 to Melissa Jones PTO to support the rebuilding of the community playground.
• $5,000 to Clifford Beers to support case management services to Guilford Children and their families with psychiatric and behavioral disorders.
• $4,000 to the Shoreline Arts Alliance to support Shakespeare on the Green and other summer productions.

In addition to the competitive grant awards listed above, TGF has also committed to:

• $25,000 to Women & Family Life Center for their “Open Door” Campaign and renovation.
• $10,000 to support Grass Island renovations through the “Save Our Shack” Eagle Scout Project.
• $12,663 for our Youth Advisory Group grant making.
• $12,300 for scholarships to graduating Guilford High School students.
• $11,366 for designated grants to local organizations from legacy funds.

While TGF is gratified to support so many worthy projects and agencies, we will not be able to accept any new grant requests until 2018. Our budget for funding grants in 2017 budget has been fully spent. Please contact Liza Janssen Petra at [email protected] with any questions or if you have an emergent need.

This record-breaking level of support is only made possible by community members who generously support our mission to “connect people who care with the causes that matter to them.” Thanks to your generosity, our investments into the community continue to grow and are able to respond to needs as they arise.