VCF awards more than $433,000 in responsive grants to area nonprofits.

August 11, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DERBY, CT – The Valley Community Foundation (VCF) is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2025 Responsive Grants Program, awarding a total of $433,835 to 16 local nonprofits serving the towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton. These grants support critical programming and services that address the Valley’s most pressing needs, including health, food insecurity, education, and community development.

This year, the demand for support was greater than ever. VCF received more than $1.8 million in total grant requests for multi-year support, including $674,000 in applications for 2025 alone. With limited funding available, VCF was forced to make some difficult decisions.

“While we are grateful to support so many outstanding organizations and initiatives, prioritizing funding is always difficult especially when the need is so great,” said Sandra Arburr, VCF’s new Grants and Nonprofit Support Manager. “We saw a significant increase in multi-year requests om nonprofits who are trying to build stability and plan for the future. Forecasting available funds over the next few years is a strategic challenge, and sometimes we have to fund only the first year and ask applicants to reapply. It’s not a reflection of the worthiness of their work, it’s about managing VCF resources responsibly.”

When it looked like some vital programs might go unfunded, the Valley’s deep-rooted spirit of giving -- what VCF calls Valleyness -- kicked into high gear. Four donor-advised fundholders at VCF stepped up by using their funds to fill critical gaps and ensure basic needs programs got the support they deserve.

“This is what Valleyness looks like in action,” said Sharon Closius, VCF’s President and CEO. “Our fundholders didn’t just see a problem, they responded with heart, purpose, and generosity.”

In total, more than $200,000 in grants came directly from VCF fundholders this year to support Valley nonprofits. Also, every dollar donated to VCF during the 2025 Great Give was funneled right back into the Responsive Grant Program -- amplifying the impact even further.

“We are seeing a growing need across the Valley, especially in basic needs like food, housing, and health services. Each year, we have more worthy requests than we can fulfill,” Closius said. “Thanks to these very generous donors, we’re able to say yes to more and provide long-term stability to organizations that serve our most vulnerable residents.”

The full list of 2025 VCF Responsive Grantees includes:

Single-Year Grants

  • Echo Hose Hook and Ladder Ambulance Corp. – $25,000
  • Housatonic Council, Boy Scouts of America – $35,000
  • Shelton Economic Development Corporation – $15,000
  • St. Vincent de Paul of the Valley – $34,000
  • Storm Engine Company Ambulance & Rescue Corps. – $26,000
  • Valley Shakespeare Festival – $30,000

Two-Year Grants

  • Griffin Hospital – $50,000
  • Life Health and Wellness Center – $45,000
  • Massaro Community Farm – $49,000
  • Moving with Health Oriented Physical Education Inc. – $18,000

Three-Year Grants

  • cARTie – $35,000
  • Central Connecticut Coast YMCA – $60,000
  • Christ Episcopal Church – $74,000
  • Hope Counseling and Behavioral Health Center – $85,000
  • Seymour Oxford Food Bank – $74,000
  • Traveler on a Mission – $57,000

The VCF Responsive Grant Program is designed to address the Valley’s evolving needs by responding to the requests of nonprofit organizations that demonstrate impact, collaboration, and sustainability. VCF evaluates each application with a focus on community benefit, financial soundness, and long-term vision.

To learn more about the Valley Community Foundation’s grantmaking or to contribute to one of its many charitable funds, visit ValleyFoundation.Org.

About the Valley Community Foundation:

Established in 2004, each year the Valley Community Foundation (VCF) distributes approximately $2 million in grants that support local nonprofits and people they serve. In addition to grantmaking, VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (TCF) to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton and receives funding from The Gates Fund and other preference funds at TCF that benefit the Valley. For more information, visit ValleyFoundation.org. Valley Community Foundation, 253-A Elizabeth Street, Derby CT, 06418. Office: (203) 751-9162.

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