The Branford Community Foundation (BCF) is pleased to announce the recipients of their 2025 annual grants. In total, $90,550 will be awarded to 29 recipients, including American Legion Corcoran Sundquist Post 83, Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance, Branford Compassion Club, Branford Early Learning Center, Branford Microfund, Camp Hazen YMCA, Camp Totokett, Carrie P. Chandler Housing Development Corporation, Children In Placement (CIP), Clifford W. Beers Guidance Clinic, Inc., Columbus House, Inc., Community Dining Room, Fair Haven Community Health Care, Feed Branford Kids, Friends of Outer Island, James Blackstone Memorial Library, New Haven Ballet, Orchard House Medical Adult Day Center, Pine Orchard Nursery School, Read to Grow, Inc., Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Heritage Foundation, Shoreline Village CT, Soundview Family YMCA (2 grants), Special Olympics Connecticut, Take a Vet Fishing, The Connecticut Hospice, Inc., The Cove Center for Grieving Children, and Women & Family Life Center. 

2025 saw another significant increase in applications compared to years prior. The Foundation received 51 applications from 48 applicants requesting a total of $296,806, with requested amounts ranging from $1,500 to $20,000. In 2024, the 45 applications totaled $245,338, with amounts ranging from $793-$12,000. 

BCF’s Community Investment Committee (CIC) met five times to review applications and prepare recommendations, and according to BCF Executive Director, Liza Janssen Petra, this year’s decision-making process was particularly tough. 

“We’ve been receiving greater numbers of applications year after year, with the size of requests increasing as well. With recent funding cuts at the state and federal levels, we are seeing many of our local nonprofits facing serious funding shortfalls, many of which were not budgeted for, and so they are reaching out to the Foundation for more support,” said Petra. 

“As a result, the committee felt the need to focus more on basic needs than our usual wider range of funding areas. We wanted to make sure that we were supporting the organizations providing essentials to those who needed it most, first, and so that focus played a much larger role in this year’s grant recommendations than in the past.” 

Grants are awarded to 501(c)3 not-for-profit organizations and 170(c)(1) governmental agencies serving the Branford community and creating a positive impact, enhancing the quality of life in Branford. The Board of Directors considers applications from one or more areas of focus: Animal Welfare; Arts, Culture, and Heritage; Basic Needs; Community Improvement and Vitality; Education; Environment and Sustainability; Human Services; Children and Youth; Seniors; Wellness and Mental health. Grant applications should address a need within the focus area and demonstrate impact on the organization, project, and community, and impact to Branford residents.