The Branford Community Foundation (BCF) is pleased to announce the recipients of their 2026 annual grants. In total, $100,660 will be awarded to 36 recipients, including: 

Animal Welfare 
Branford Compassion Club – Branford Compassion Club Neuter/Spay Program 2026 
Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter – 2026-2027 Dog Training and Behavioral Assessments 

Arts, Culture & Heritage 
Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance – Connecting Community Through the Arts 
The Branford Electric Railway Association, Inc – Operating Support: Shore Line Trolley Museum 
Branford Festival Corp – Operating Expenses 
Branford Historical Society – The Branford Narrative Project: In Your Voice 
Legacy Theatre – No Place Like Home: A Capital Investment in Legacy Theatre’s Artist Cottage 
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Heritage Foundation – Operating Support 
Society of Nepalese in America – Arts, Culture, and Heritage class for Children and Youth 
Stony Creek Fife & Drum Corps, Inc – Rewiring of the Electrics 

Basic Needs 
Branford Community Gardens – Seed, Weed & Feed Program Support 
Branford Microfund – No Interest Loans for Branford Residents 
Community Dining Room – Nutritional Program 
Feed Branford Kids – Operating Support 
Homemaker Thrift Shop – Marketing Initiative 

Children & Youth 
Branford Early Learning Center – Summer Enrichment 
Branford Early Start Partnership for Children – Branford Early Start Outreach Support 
Branford Youth Football League – Equipment Storage Shed, Program Sustainability 
Camp Hazen YMCA – Financial Assistance to Support Youth from Branford, CT 
Children in Placement – CIP: Guardian ad Litem 
The Cove Center for Grieving Children – Guilford Cove Family Program 
James Blackstone Memorial Library – Summer Learning Program 
Soundview Family YMCA – Tim Quill 2nd Grade Learn to Swim Program 

Community Improvement & Vitality 
Branford Community Television – Equipment Upgrade Request 
The Connecticut Hospice, Inc. – Family Fun and Fireworks at Connecticut Hospice 
Stony Creek Farmers Market – Stony Creek Farmers Market Expenses 

Education 
Connecticut Science Center, Inc. – Student STEM Education Programs 
Read to Grow, Inc. – Books for Kids program & Bookmobile Visit 

Environment & Sustainability 
East Shore District Health Dept. – Reducing Fecal Contamination in Branford Waters 

Human Services 
American Legion Corcoran Sundquist Post 83 – Kitchen Upgrades 
Lumibility – Lumibility Enhanced Enrichment 
Special Olympics CT – Central Shoreline Program Funding 
Women & Family Life Center – Operating Grant 

Seniors 
Orchard House Medical Adult Day Center – Enhancing Music Program for Seniors 
Shoreline Eldercare Alliance (SEA) – Development, Growth, and Further Collaborative Efforts for SEA 

Wellness & Mental Health 
Take A Vet Fishing – Operating Expenses 

2026 saw another significant increase in requested funding compared to years prior. The Foundation received 53 applications requesting a total of $368,135.77, with requested amounts ranging from $1,500 to $50,000. In 2025, the 51 applications totaled $296,806, with amounts ranging from $1,500-$20,000. 

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

“Each year, the number of applications and the scale of funding requests grow,” said Petra. “We were thrilled to be able to increase our funding by over $10,000 in this funding cycle, but it is still such a highly competitive process because of the level of need from our local organizations. I am grateful to our committee for their dedication to ensuring that we are able to fund as many organizations as we can, across a range of needs.” 

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.