The Branford Community Foundation, the leader in supporting local philanthropic needs, programs and services for more than 35 years, has closed the first of four grant review periods for 2017 and awarded $9,500 to:

Child Development Center of the First Congregational Church ($3,000)
To support the completion of renovations for a safe outdoor learning playground environment for children of all ages and abilities from Branford and the surrounding communities.

Branford High School Choral Program ($3,500)
To help fund “The Peace Project,” a yearlong study of music that culminates in a concert to be performed on Sunday, April 30, 2017, 2:00 pm at Woolsey Hall, New Haven. Admission is $15 per person with a portion of proceeds to be donated to local community groups.

Special Olympics Connecticut ($2,000)
To support the cost of athletic uniforms for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the community that benefit from training in 10 sports activities. This grant directly impacts 185 Special Olympians from the region who range in age from 8 to 72.

Shoreline Arts Alliance ($1,000)
To support summer programs for children and families including 1) a participatory performance of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at the James Blackstone Memorial Library, and 2) public Round Table forums at Evergreen Woods and the Blackstone Library to discuss William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, enjoy script readings and encourage main stage production performance auditions for Shakespeare on the Shoreline, an annual summer cultural sensation.

The Branford Community Foundation benefits all residents by pooling contributions from like-minded citizens, managing these funds with professional guidance, and then carefully granting a portion of the income generated to local, nonprofit organizations. As a multipurpose permanent local charitable endowment, the Branford Community Foundation helps to build a healthy and successful community by supporting everything from basic needs and health services, to local environmental issues and education, to the arts and other programs.

For more information, contact Executive Director Liza Janssen Petra by email or at (203) 444-4898.