In a significant community milestone, the Branford Community Foundation and the Town of Branford announced the allocation of $395,000 in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support local nonprofits in their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In February 2023, the Town of Branford asked the Branford Community Foundation (BCF) to develop recommendations for distribution of $395,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to charitable organizations serving the Branford community. When applying for funding, organizations needed to demonstrate negative economic impact created or exacerbated by Covid-19, and they needed to meet the criteria of one of the areas of funding priority: basic needs, including food insecurity, shelter, emergency financial assistance, and childcare; populations disparately impacted that may not have been supported by BCF in the past; mental health services, including prevention, intervention, and substance misuse; programs that create joy in the Branford community; child and youth development services; and organizations that strive for high impact in the Branford community.

The ARPA Review Committee, comprised of BCF Board Members, community representatives, and an experienced Connecticut-based ARPA resource, established a process, reviewed the applications, and allocated the available funds. The Committee represented skills and experience areas including community service, business, education, legal, and health. It was a thorough and competitive review process, with 27 area nonprofits submitting applications and requesting a total of $579,369 (range $2,000 to $75,000). The ARPA Review Committee’s recommendation for 25 grants totaling $395,000 with awards ranging from $2,000 – $50,000 was approved, with 16 grants recommended for full funding, 7 for partial funding, 1 referred back to the town for funding through a different process, and 1 not recommended for funding.

“The $395,000 allocation is an investment in the well-being and prosperity of our town. By supporting local nonprofits, we are advancing the resilience and strength of our community. The Foundation staff is working with the town to disburse the funds in a timely manner in the coming weeks to facilitate the swift implementation of the organization’s programs and initiatives,” said Executive Director Liza Janssen Petra.

ARPA award recipients include BH Care, Branford Historical Society, Branford Land Trust, Branford Microfund, Carrie P. Chandler Housing Development Corporation, Child Development Center, Community Dining Room, Fair Haven Community Health Care, Friends of James Blackstone Memorial Library, Legacy Theatre, Move to Heal CT, Orchard House Medical Adult Day Center, Read To Grow, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Heritage Foundation, Shoreline Arts Alliance, Shoreline Eldercare Alliance, Shoreline Village CT, Soundview Family YMCA (℅ Central Connecticut Coast YMCA), Special Olympics Connecticut, Stony Creek Museum Inc., The Branford Chorale, The Branford Electric Railway Association, The Connecticut Hospice, The Cove Center for Grieving Children, and Woman & Family Life Center.

Members of the ARPA review committee include Amy Etzel (Cmte Chair), Stephanie Donegan Dietz (Board Chair), Kathleen Fox, Heather Hackley, Chuck Tiernan, George Krivda (ARPA Expert), Rita Berkson, Peter Cimino, Gretchen Dale, David Etzel, Margot Hardenbergh, and Rachel Sexton.

The Branford Community Foundation, founded in 1980, is a public, nonprofit, tax exempt, charitable trust. It provides an administrative, philanthropic service – a means by which public-spirited citizens may make gifts or bequests, the income from which is distributed for educational, cultural, health, social and civic needs. The Foundation is overseen by the Board of Directors, composed of community leaders who serve without compensation and who have been selected for their knowledge, interest and integrity of judgment. A part-time, executive director works with the Board of Directors, and Advisors provide outreach with the community, give guidance to the Board and help to develop future leadership.