Archive for April, 2023

The Guilford Foundation Outlines ARPA Funding Timeline

April 25th, 2023

In a recent conversation with community-serving organizations, First Selectman Matt Hoey and consultant George Krivda, we announced our approach for distributing $500,000 of ARPA funding which starts in June with a grant workshop followed by a September application deadline.

During the meeting, many nonprofits shared significant COVID impacts, including lost income, smaller staff, increased costs, and heavier service usage. Hoey explains that the ARPA goal is to find things that are sustainable, will have a multi-year impact, and addresses the post-pandemic emerging needs.

All nonprofits impacted by COVID that serve Guilford residents are encouraged to apply.

Click here to read the Guilford Courier article.

The Guilford Foundation and GSB Give $17,000 in Sponsorship Awards to Local Non-Profits

April 20th, 2023

The Guilford Foundation (TGF), in partnership with GSB, gave $17,000 in its first wave of sponsorship funding for 2023 to 14 non-profits to support events that fundraise or increase the organization’s visibility. For the second wave of grant disbursement, $13,000 will be available for the second wave of disbursement in August, bringing the total sponsorship distribution to $30,000 for 2023.


For the February application deadline, sponsorship awards ranged from $500 – $5,000. Funding was awarded to the following community-serving organizations:  BHcare, Clifford W. Beers Guidance Clinic, Community Dining Room, Community Nursery School, Guilford Art Center, Guilford Keeping Society, Legacy Theatre, Paul Dotsie KARE Foundation, GHS Project Graduation, SARAH Foundation, Shoreline Arts Alliance, Theater Arts Parents Support (TAPS), and Woman and Family Life Center.


“As we look at sponsorship applications, we look for organizations making a meaningful impact on the Guilford community and aligning with the values and mission of The Guilford Foundation. The awards are used for important community events, including the Memorial Day Picnic at Medad Tavern, The GHS production of Little Shop of Horrors, Little Folks Fair, and Project Graduation, which organizes a safe, substance-free celebration for seniors, to name a few,” explained Executive Director Liza Janssen Petra.


For 2023, TGF modified its sponsorship process, reviewing applications twice a year. The first application deadline was February 10, and the final deadline for the 2023 awards is August 1. To qualify, the organization must be tax-exempt and offer programs or services directly benefiting the Guilford community. The specific event or series of events should be consistent with the mission and values of The Guilford Foundation and GSB.


Petra added, “We’re thankful for the generosity of GSB, whose funding truly enriches the quality of life for our residents.”


To learn more about our sponsorship award program, click here.


Community Matters – Recovery Support

April 18th, 2023

Mental health issues and addiction are more prevalent than one would think. Even with increased awareness, these can be unpopular topics and ones that people avoid discussing or  addressing. Through our 2022 competitive grant process, we support a range of organizations providing these critical services that save and transform lives one at a time.

Lifelinx
Lifelinx is a Guilford-based organization founded by a group of recovering addicts. The mission is to reduce relapse and provide long term sustain-able recovery for people who are in or are seeking recovery. The services are most associated with transportation for recovering people. This means drives to treatment, or detox, to social services,  the hospital, etc. But there is more. While Lifelinx does not diagnose or provide clinical treatment, the small staff and loyal group of volunteers are  experts at getting people help with services that best fit their situation. They know how you can  receive care, where the care facilities are located, how to navigate insurance issues. They provide coaching and referrals, operate 3 sober houses, and, of course, they know how to get to the care safely.

Board Member Wayne Jarvis is grateful for TGF and the Guilford community. “When people care, that’s when magic happens. When others get involved then what we can do with a lot of help, it’s amazing,” Wayne notes. “And it doesn’t matter how many times you  failed. You are no longer powerless against this disease. We won’t give up on you.”

Recovery Move
Recovery Move, also in Guilford, helps address the needs of at-risk teens and young adults – those struggling with addiction, mental illness, or other traumatic events such as abuse or loss. The concept combines healing through exercise. The program currently serves about 30-40 individuals who participate in workouts (recently expanded to include yoga) followed by meetings.

As Founder Clint Zeidenberg explains, “With young adults, when we have a meeting, they are so much more open to share after a workout.  The happy hormones, the endorphins kick in, so they have  great confidence. We have the meetings right  after the workout, so they feel that confidence.  It’s awesome.”

Take a look at the recent issue of Guilford Events to learn more about TGF’s our support of recovery Guilford-based recovery service programs.

Page 1 of 11