Connecticut

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation has announced that between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023, it awarded more than $3.3 million in grants to 151 nonprofit agencies aligned with its strategic plan, Fairfield County Forward. The grants support organizations working to ensure equitable access to quality housing, health services, education, and economic opportunity, particularly for Black and Latinx individuals, women and girls, and youth ages 16 to 25 living in Fairfield County. The $3.3 million in strategic, regional grants represents 13 percent of the foundation’s grantmaking for fiscal year 2023, which totaled $25.7 million.

Louisiana

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation has announced the inaugural cohort of 30 Nonprofit Board Fellows, a program of the foundation’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence. The program provides aspiring nonprofit board directors with the skills, insights, and tools necessary to guide area nonprofit organizations effectively.

Maine

Nearly $90,000 in grants from the Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF) will help strengthen nonprofit organizations and projects in Waldo County in 2023, the Penobscot Bay Pilot reports. The eight grants awarded through MaineCF’s Community Building Grant Program include $59,435 recommended by the Waldo County Committee and three grants totaling $30,000 from donor-advised funds. Recipients include Belfast Farmers Market, Constellation Workshops for All, But Still I Am One, and the Penobscot Marine Museum.

Michigan

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has named Sarah Wedepohl, director of Health and Human Services Initiatives, as its new vice president of program, effective September 4. Wedepohl succeeds Katie Brisson, who will remain with the foundation through the end of year.

Mississippi

The Community Foundation for Mississippi has announced the creation of the Mississippi Film Society Fund and Mississippi Film Society Endowment Fund, which are aimed at supporting operations and ensuring the sustainability of the recently established Mississippi Film Society. The society aims to educate, inspire, and entertain Mississippians through community screenings, film curricula, lectures, workshops, and, in the near future, a film festival.

Nebraska

The Omaha Venture Group (OVG), a giving circle facilitated by the Omaha Community Foundation, has awarded grants totaling $30,600 to five local nonprofit organizations. The group focuses on four interest areas: Arts and Culture, Education and Workforce, Health[KU1] , and Neighborhood, Civic Engagement and Safety. The recipients include Circle Theatre, Everyday Science and Science Support, Access Period, House of Bah Foundation, and South Omaha Classic OLG Youth Athletics.

New Mexico

The Santa Fe Community Foundation has announced the appointment of a new chair and six new members to its board of directors. Dion Silva, regional president of Enterprise Bank & Trust, will begin a two-year term as board chair, effective October 5. He has served on the foundation’s board since October 2021 and will succeed Deborah Holloway. In addition, the foundation elected María José Rodríguez Cádiz, Celia Foy Castillo, Mary Macukas, David William McElroy, Janet Pacheco-Morton, and Porter Swenzell to serve three-year terms on the board.

New York

The Rochester Area Community Foundation has announced a collaboration with Goodwill of the Finger Lakes and the 7th Judicial District to establish a help desk at the Monroe County Hall of Justice that will provide individuals and families with on-site referrals to services they might need before or after court proceedings. The Community Connections Desk is being piloted for one year with a $74,000 grant from the foundation and Goodwill retail stores and will be staffed by a full-time community navigator employed by Goodwill and occasionally a volunteer from other human service organizations.

Ohio

Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) has announced a $500,000 investment from First Financial Bank in the foundation’s Affordable Housing Impact Investment Pool (AHIIP). First Financial is the first bank in the region to invest in AHIIP, an initiative launched by GCF in partnership with the Cincinnati Development Fund and others to provide low-interest loans for pre-development work to create affordable housing. In just over three years, the pool has topped $14 million with more than 30 donors—far exceeding the initial goal of $5 million in five years.

Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Foundation has announced the appointment of Carmen Díaz-Jusino as a strategic initiative officer. Díaz-Jusino most recently served as vice president of programs and community development at Bank Newport. Previous to that, she served with a similar title at the Center for Women & Enterprise and was a bilingual business and employment specialist with Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island.