Recent Headlines

TGF to Develop Process to Distribute ARPA Funding

March 9th, 2023

The Guilford Board of Selectmen (BOS) chose The Guilford Foundation (TGF) at the end of 2022 to disperse $500,000 in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in partnership with the town. TGF is carefully crafting its distribution approach to align with the scope and magnitude of the program with the goal of launching the process in June 2023.

TGF’s Community Investment Committee, led by Chair Alex Sulpasso, will manage the ARPA awards with the same rigor and transparency used for the Foundation’s competitive grantmaking processes. The team will convene with local stakeholders to engage in dialogue about needs, resources, and priorities in the recovery to ensure the process generates the most significant impact for Guilford residents.

“This is a great opportunity to make key investments in area nonprofit programs and services necessary to help people recover from the pandemic,” explained Sulpasso. “We take this partnership seriously and will leverage our strong relationships with community-serving organizations, understanding of the areas hit hardest by COVID, and extensive funding experience.”

In explaining the BOS decision, First Selectman Matt Hoey cited the benefits of delegating the process to an outside organization.

“It takes the program’s administration off the back of our staff, which includes design of the criteria for qualifications, the applications, reviews of the applications, that saves man-hours,” Hoey added. “And in my mind’s eye, The Guilford Foundation is one of the most trusted organizations of this type on the shoreline. Their reputation is impeccable, and they have significant experience in assessing the needs of the nonprofits serving Guilford.”

ARPA funds are the realization of 2020 legislation designed to provide billions of dollars to communities nationwide as part of pandemic relief efforts. The federal monies are intended to address the negative impacts caused by the COVID public health emergency.

“We’re a philanthropic organization focused on enriching the quality of life in Guilford by supporting high-impact community organizations and initiatives,” Executive Director Liza Janssen Petra commented. “As the details emerge, we will proactively communicate our timeline and process for the disbursement of APRA funds. We will encourage all nonprofits negatively impacted by COVID offering services or programs utilized by residents to apply.”

Photographer: Richard Madonna

2022 Competitive Grant Recipients

March 9th, 2023

The Guilford Foundation is proud to have distributed over $80,000 to 22 community serving organizations in 2022, that provide services and programs that enrich the quality of life for Guilford residents.

To learn more about our Competitive Grantmaking process, click here.

Organization Grant Award Program
Legacy Theatre $1,000 Wheel Life Theatre Troupe
Benincasa Community. $1,100 2022 Scholars to Workers Program
Orchard House Medical Adult Day Center $1,250 Gardening Program
Jordan Porco Foundation $1,500 4 What’s Next – Guilford Youth and Family Services
The Connecticut Hospice $1,500 Benches for Visitors
Witness Stones Project $1,800 2022 Guilford Operational Support
Community Dining Room, Inc. $2,400 2022 Food Cost Coverage
Community Nursery School $2,500 Community Nature School
Recovery Move™ $2,500 Recovery Move™ | Improving Youth Mental Health through Exercise & Community 2022
Lifelinx Corporation $2,500 2022 Recovery Transportation Program
The Shoreline Chamber of Commerce $3,500 Chamber Business Education Series
Friends of the Guilford Free Library $3,500 Fall Book Sale 2022
Guilford Garden Club $3,600 Greening of Guilford
The Ethan Miller Song Foundation $5,000 SongStrong Equine Therapy
Guilford Art Center $5,000 General Operating Support
Guilford Social Services $5,000 2022 Guilford Social Services Back to School Program
Before and After School Care Program, GCC $5,000 Guilford Center for Children, Before and After School Care Program
Special Olympics Connecticut $5,000 Special Olympics Connecticut Central Shoreline program
Guilford ABAR $5,000 Equity-Focused Professional Development for Guilford Teachers: Helping Teachers & Students
Guilford Center for Children $6,000 2022 GCC Early Education Tuition Assistance
Clifford W. Beers Guidance Clinic $7,500 2022 Clifford W. Beers Clinic, Inc. Outpatient Mental Health Program
Women and Family Life Center $12,000 2022 Guided Assistance Program

The Guilford Foundation Announces $135,000 Available Through Competitive Grant Process

February 24th, 2023

The Guilford Foundation (TGF) announced it would distribute $135,000 through its competitive grantmaking process. Last year, TGF awarded 22 competitive grants to community-serving organizations, ranging from $1,500 to $10,000, with an average award of $5,000.

The application deadline is March 10, 2023; guidelines are available on TGF’s website.

To address the community’s ever-changing needs and increase impact, TGF builds flexibility into the process to evolve its guiding principles year-to-year. The Community Investment Committee’s 2023 grantmaking theme is community wellbeing. Take a look at our areas of focus by clicking here.

All non-profit organizations whose services support Guilford and The Guilford Foundation’s 2023 priorities are encouraged to submit a grant application. The review process is rigorous; all applications are thoughtfully read by the Community Investment Committee with the goal of making the most significant impact in the community.

“Our focus is competitive grantmaking. As we read the 2022 grant recipient reports, we’re reminded of the impact of our funding,” explained Executive Directory Liza Janssen Petra. “Whether it’s outpatient mental health programs, a nursery school nature center, support for women in crisis, reinvigorating the Shoreline Special Olympics program, school supplies for low-income families, or free hot meals, the grants improve the quality of life for many residents.”
Grant Submission Recommendations

The Guilford Foundation seeks grants that enhance the quality of life for the community. Applications should align their need with a focus area and demonstrate the potential impact on the organization, project, community, or persons served.

Before beginning a 2023 grant application, organizations should carefully review the guidelines on The Guilford Foundation website. TGF recorded its 2023 Grant Application Workshop, which provides insight into the process and 2023 priorities. Email Program Director Jennifer Mullett at jmullett@guilfordfoundation.org to receive a link to view.

Petra added, “We’re proud to address the emerging needs that impact the lives of our residents. A heartfelt thanks to those who generously support The Guilford Foundation’s mission to connect people who care with the causes that matter to them.”

Fappiano Family Fund for Special Needs Gives Donation to Gavin and Friends by Sarah Tuxis

February 21st, 2023

The Fappiano Family Fund for Special Needs is one of our 67 charitable funds established by community members to support a cause that matters. The youngest generation of Fappianos presented a donation to Linda Toscano, the project founder of Gavin and Friends. She is transforming a house near the Guilford Green into a site for a day program for adults with disabilities in collaboration with Sarah Tuxis.

Christine and Tony Fappiano established their donor-advised fund in 2018 to support individuals with special needs relating to cognitive disabilities, including autism, Down Syndrome, and other disabilities, who require assistance to live a full and vibrant life. Over the year, they’ve given generously to many organizations that support individuals with disabilities.

Learn more about the Fappiano Family Fund for Special Needs

Donate to the Fappiano Family Fund for Special Needs

Learn about the Gavin and Friends by Sarah Tuxis Day Program for Adults with Disabilities

Three Community Leaders Join The Guilford Foundation Board

February 14th, 2023

The Guilford Foundation (TGF) welcomes Sarah Blanton, Linda Fan, and Stacy Votto to its Board of Directors. These accomplished leaders bring exceptional expertise, insight, and community understanding.

"Our Board plays a critical role for the Foundation, as they drive our grant-making and sponsorship awards, strategic planning, governance, and community leadership," explained Liza Janssen Petra, Executive Director of The Guilford Foundation. "Sarah, Linda, and Stacy are engaged community members that have each resided in town for more than a decade. They add diverse personal and professional experiences that will inform our priorities and advance our philanthropic initiatives."

Sarah Blanton brings 20+ years of non-profit sector experience in various roles, including school leader, fundraiser, and administrator. She is currently the CEO of 4-CT, a non-profit organization that empowers Connecticut residents to improve their lives by giving them agency to make their own decisions with direct cash assistance. Before Sarah’s current job, she held a leadership role with Achievement First Charter School Network and had a teaching and research fellowship in Constitutional Law at NYU School of Law. Sarah has served on several boards, including in Guilford A Better Chance, Horizons at the Foote School, the Brother Carl Hardrick Institute, and the New Haven Age Group Track Club, where her two children run.

Linda Fan, M.D. is a gynecologic surgeon and has been working to improve patient care within the Yale Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Medicine since she arrived in Guilford in 2012. Through her roles as the Chief of Gynecology and Director of Gynecologic Quality and Safety, she has led numerous educational and safety throughout the Yale New Haven Hospital System to enhance physicians’ ability to provide patient-centered care. She has won numerous teaching awards, has served on multiple hospital committees, and is particularly interested in health equity. Outside work, Linda supports her two sons’ love for soccer and uses travel to expand her children’s global awareness. She enjoys outdoor life in New England on the water, hiking, mountain biking, or skiing.

Stacy Votto is an attorney and serves as General Counsel for Central Connecticut State University. Before joining CCSU, she was a founding partner at a law firm in New Haven. She has over 19 years of experience in litigation, transactional, and administrative law matters. Previously, she sat on the Board of Directors for both the New Haven County Bar Association and the Board of its sister organization, the Foundation of the New Haven County Bar. Currently, Stacy coaches 8th-grade girls basketball and plays in the town volleyball league.

"Since joining the Board, I have seen first-hand the scale and community impact of The Guilford Foundation. It supports a wide range of non-profit organizations that help so many residents, whether it’s basic needs and mental health or early education tuition assistance and town social service programs," commented Fan. "Speaking on behalf of Stacy and Sarah, we are honored to be a part of this storied organization and look forward to doing our part to enrich the quality of life in Guilford."

Petra added, "We’re excited to have these three impressive women serving on our Board, representing the needs and interests of the community. They will be instrumental in helping us expand our impact, advance equity, and address Guilford’s evolving challenges and opportunities with innovative solutions."

TGF 2023 Competitive Grant Application Deadline Set

January 26th, 2023

The Guilford Foundation (TGF) is pleased to announce that the 2023 competitive grant deadline is March 10, 2023. Last year, TGF awarded 22 competitive grants to community-serving organizations, ranging from $1,500 to $10,000, with an average award of $5,000. Application materials and guidelines are available on the website.

“Competitive grants are at the core of our community giving. Any non-profit organization is encouraged to apply, provided their cause or need aligns with our 2023 priorities. Every application is thoughtfully read by our Community Investment Committee, with two members doing a deeper dive into each proposal. This rigorous and thorough months-long process allows The Guilford Foundation to make the greatest impact in our community,” explained Liza Janssen Petra, Executive Director.

The Guilford Foundation’s Community Investment Committee’s 2023 grantmaking theme is community wellbeing.

Areas of focus include:

Basic Needs (especially as related to assisting those individuals and families most at risk)
Services to take priority include food, shelter, emergency financial assistance

Strengthening Our Community
Child and Youth Development (childcare, development, education)
Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI)
Arts and Culture
Other innovative initiatives that promote strengthening the Guilford Community

Mental Health (mental health, substance misuse, etc.)
Promoting awareness, prevention, and intervention

Evolving our guiding principles year-to-year gives TGF the flexibility to address our community’s ever-changing needs and increase its impact.

Petra added, “We’re proud to address the emerging needs that impact our community. A heartfelt thanks to those who generously support The Guilford Foundation’s mission to connect people who care with the causes that matter to them. Our investments into the community continue to grow because of this incredible community outreach and support.”

Grant Submission Recommendations The Guilford Foundation seeks grants that enhance the quality of life for the community. Applications should align their need with a focus area and demonstrate the potential impact on the organization, project, community, or persons served.

Before beginning a 2023 grant application, organizations should carefully review the guidelines on The Guilford Foundation website. To help navigate the process, TGF will hold a virtual Grant Application Workshop on Tuesday, February 14, at 10 am. Email Program Director Jennifer Mullett at jmullett@guilfordfoundation.org to RSVP and receive workshop details.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Opportunities At the end of 2022, the Guilford Board of Selectmen (BOS) announced plans to partner with The Guilford Foundation (TGF) to disperse $500,000 in ARPA funds, entering an agreement to empower the Foundation to distribute the federal funding. The federal monies are intended to address the negative impacts caused by the COVID public health emergency.

TGF will hold a second, separate grant application review process for funds provided to the Town of Guilford through the American Rescue Plan Act later this spring.

First Selectman Matt Hoey explained that the BOS chose TGF to distribute the funding because of the organization’s impeccable reputation and significant experience in assessing the needs of the non-profits serving Guilford.

To learn more about our 2023 Competitive Grant Guidelines, click here.

2023 Sponsorship Award Program Launched

January 24th, 2023

The Guilford Foundation is pleased to report that we are once again partnering with GSB in 2023 to provide sponsorship awards to qualifying organizations serving the Guilford community.

Sponsorships are defined as a single event (i.e., a gala, road race, etc.) or a series of individual events held by an organization over a given time period to increase visibility or to support fundraising efforts.

GSB chose TGF to lead the program because of our role as a trusted community leader, philanthropic expertise, and strong relationships with community-serving organizations. In 2022, we were delighted to distribute $25,000 to support 20 organizations with awards ranging from $250 to $2,500.

For 2023, we are making big and important adjustments to our application and decision-making process to improve our ability to review requests and ensure that distributed funds have the most significant impact.

The three biggest changes are:

We will review requests two times per year instead of on a rolling basis. The first deadline for a request is February 10, 2023, and the second is August 1, 2023. Please plan your requests accordingly—if the event you seek support for is in the first half of the year, be sure to apply in February. If your event is in the fall or winter, you can apply in August.

We have expanded information captured about the applicant’s focus in Guilford. The committee felt that more information was needed about each organization to understand how the award would directly benefit our community.

We will require a signed Sponsorship Agreement for successful applicants. This is to ensure our expectations are in alignment.

Thank you for the wonderful work you do in Guilford and for your understanding as we work to continuously improve how we can support you. Don’t hesitate to contact Jennifer Mullett or me with any questions.

The sponsorship application link is live—click here.

Community Matters – Three-Year TGF Strategic Plan

January 16th, 2023

As the backdrop of a changing landscape coupled with a growing endowment (reaching $6 million in 2022),, The Guilford Foundation (TGF) developed a three-year strategic plan that positions the Foundation to be innovative, proactive, and responsive in meeting community needs.

Executive Director Liza Petra explained, ” Staying aligned with the issues that matter to the community is essential for our cuss. The strategic planning process gave us critical external input and benchmarking insights to prioritize our focus on areas that will help us make an even bigger impact.”

The key strategic goals for TGF include the following:

1. Community Investment – To improve impact, advance equity, and/or encourage innovative solutions to community challenges and opportunities.
2. Community Leadership – To build upon TGF’s recognized role as a leader and convenor on major community issues and initiatives.
3. Outreach and Marketing – To broaden community awareness of TGF’s work and impact.
4. Financial Resource – To double annual philanthropic resources raised over the next five years.
5. Organizational Capacity – To increase TGF capacity to accomplish strategic plan priorities.

Looking forward, TGF will leverage it’s role as a trusted leader that is responsive to community needs, combining a traditional grantmaking with a proactive process that allows for innovation and ways to advance equity.

Take a look at the January issue of Guilford Events to learn more about TGF’s priorities and strategic direction.

Town Partners with The Guilford Foundation to Disperse ARPA Funds

December 20th, 2022

The Board of Selectmen (BOS) has announced plans to partner with The Guilford Foundation (TGF) to disperse $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. According to officials, the town entered into a subrecipient agreement with TGF, empowering the Foundation to distribute the federal funding.

ARPA funds are the realization of 2020 legislation that is providing billions of dollars to communities across the country as part of pandemic relief efforts. The funding is intended to “address the negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency,” according to documents distributed to municipalities by the federal government.

TGF, a philanthropic organization with the goal of enabling donors to contribute to projects and community initiatives, is optimistic about its partnership with the town, according to the Foundation’s Executive Director, Liz Petra. Petra said the agreement will allow funding, some of it long-term, to be distributed to a number of local nonprofits to provide critical resources to Guilford residents.

“The Guilford Foundation is incredibly honored to partner with the town to distribute these funds,” Petra said. “It makes a lot of sense because one of our key goals is to support local nonprofits and build relationships with them. We really pride ourselves on those relationships, so this opportunity to receive this significant influx of funding is really exciting.”

First Selectman Matt Hoey said that the Foundation’s reputation made the partnership an easy decision for the Board.

To read the entire Zip06 article, click here.

The Guilford Foundation Welcomes Pam Miller as Communications Specialist

December 8th, 2022

The Guilford Foundation (TGF) is pleased to announce that Pam Miller will serve as the organization’s Communications Specialist. This new role supports a three-year strategic focus to increase the Foundation’s impact through expanded community investment.

“Through the generosity of our donors, we achieved a new record last year by distributing more than $270,000 to 38 non-profit organizations. Our strategic planning told us that broader awareness of TGF’s work and results is critical to growing our endowment to make an even bigger community impact,” explained Liza Janssen Petra, Executive Director of The Guilford Foundation. “Given Pam’s community involvement, extensive marketing communications knowledge, and passion for Guilford, she is the perfect fit for this position. We’re excited she’s joined the team to help us spread the word about our mission and results.”

With 30+ years of corporate marketing communications experience, Miller brings to TGF a wealth of expertise in brand management, messaging, website development, social media, direct marketing, and event planning. She’s a 20-year Guilford resident who served in many volunteer roles, including Community Nursery School Board Member, Girl Scout Troop Leader, Calvin Leete PTO President, and Shoreline Sharks Hockey Director of Marketing.

Board Chair Linda Weber added, “It’s an exciting time for the Guilford Foundation as we work to expand community investment, strengthen our leadership role, and broaden our outreach to meet today’s challenges and emerging opportunities.”

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