At Fairfield County's Community Foundation, we are dedicated to creating lasting change in Fairfield County Connecticut through charitable contributions to Connecticut charities, non-profit organizations, scholarships for women and girls, and education grants. Furthermore, we believe that every resident should have an equal opportunity to thrive. We work together with individuals, partners, and donor advised funds to provide community research, increase donor charitable assets, and support non-profit organizations. We are focused on delivering transformative solutions that leave a lasting impact to Fairfield County communities. As a trusted community leader, we invite bold leaders, visionary funders, philanthropic businesses, and caring community members to work together with us on solving our region's challenges - issues that no one single organization can solve.
The Courage to Speak® Foundation is a private non-profit 501(c)3 organization, based in Norwalk CT, that has gained local, state, and national recognition through its drug prevention education programs for children, teens, parents, schools and communities. Ginger and Larry Katz, co-founders have been Norwalk residents for over 42 years. After losing their son Ian to a drug overdose, they decided to speak out and educate parents and children with the mission to save lives by empowering youth to be drug free, and encouraging parents to communicate with their children about the danger of drugs. Ginger Katz along with her husband Larry presents to children, parents, educators, clergy, professionals and others at many forums including state and national conferences. With a team of experts the organization developed drug prevention education curriculum evaluated and recommended by Yale School of Medicine. Many facilitators and teachers across the country implement the Courage to Speak Foundation student curriculum in elementary, middle and high schools as well as a multi-session program for parents called Courage to Speak -Courageous Parenting 101® which give parent tools to keep their children safe. Since the first presentation, The Courage to Speak® Drug Prevention Education Programs served over 20,000 students in Norwalk, CT schools alone, and many of their parents. The programs have reached 87 towns in Connecticut, 39 states, and 2 countries.
The Makers' Guild is a non-profit, membership-based community workshop and fabrication studio that provide access to specialized tools and equipment to enable its members to turn their ideas into reality. A product of the maker movement, FCMG’s mission is to establish a vibrant community of makers, inventors, tinkerers, hobbyists, and artists and a culture of learning and sharing with one another. By providing access to tools, knowledge, and community, FCMG hopes to establish a space that fosters innovation and creation.
