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Giving Day Raises Nearly $1.25M For Fairfield County Nonprofits

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- This past Thursday's Giving Day raised almost $1.25 million for 410 local nonprofits that serve Fairfield County. 

From left: Jonathan Moffly, of, Moffly Media, FCCF Board member; Bill Tommins, of Bank of America; Juanita James, CEO & President, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation; U.S. Rep. Jim Himes; and state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff.

From left: Jonathan Moffly, of, Moffly Media, FCCF Board member; Bill Tommins, of Bank of America; Juanita James, CEO & President, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation; U.S. Rep. Jim Himes; and state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff.

Photo Credit: Sandro de Carvalho, www.sandro-photo.com
Juanita James, CEO and president of the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation

Juanita James, CEO and president of the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation

Photo Credit: File

“For the third year, Giving Day proved to be a momentous day in our region. Over 11,000 community members were empowered to not only give, but also learn about the important programs happening in their own towns and cities,” said Juanita James, CEO and president of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, which spearheaded the event. 

“Over 25 percent of donors were new and will hopefully continue to engage with these important nonprofits. We are just ecstatic at the outpouring of support. Thank you Fairfield County.” 

This year's event raised 17 percent more than 2015 and 65 percent more than 2014. 

“Fairfield County Giving Day provided an easy way for every member of the community to make an impact where they live,” said Bill Tommins, Southern Connecticut Market President for Bank of America. “The tremendous support provided by residents of Fairfield County will enable our nonprofits to continue the great work they already do throughout the area.” 

Key statistics from Giving Day: 

  • Total of $1,246,964 raised 
  • $1,130,964 raised from donations on the online platform 
  • $116,000 raised from sponsorships 
  • Total gifts: 15, 311 
  • Total unique donors: 11,696 
  • Average gift size: $73.87 
  • First time donors: 25 percent 
  • 72 percent returning organizations that participated in previous years 

New organizations that raised money: 

  • CT Coalition for Achievement Now: $39,950 
  • New Canaan Mounted Troop: $12,320 

Organizations with boosted performance that participated in all three years:

  • Catholic Charities of Fairfield County went from $5,800 to $6,205 to $17,230 
  • Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education went from $2,670 to $7,740 to $11,376
  • Mutual Housing Association of Southwestern CT went from $35 to $2,320 to $6,983 
  • Person to Person went from $6,370 to $6,370 to $11,234 

Organizations with boosted performance that participated in 2015 and 2016:

  • CT Alliance for Music went from $0 to $1,080
  • Danbury Animal Welfare Society went from $8,215 to $11,760 
  • Franklin Street Works went from $1,300 to $3,655 
  • Greenwich Art Society went from $335 to $3,870 
  • Kids Helping Kids went from $1,485 to $18,000
  • Music Theatre of CT went from $5,370 to $16,040 

Top fundraisers in each category: 

  • Arts & Culture: Curtain Call, Inc., $62,617 
  • Animal Related: Wildlife in Crisis, $46,550
  • Education: Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now Inc., $39,950
  • Human Services: STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way, $20,620
  • Youth Development: Kids Helping Kids, $18,000
  • Housing & Shelter: Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust, $8,841.09 
  • Mental Health & Crisis Intervention: Child and Family Guidance Center, $7,670 
  • Other: Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, $7,445
  • Advocacy: The Center for Family Justice, $3,905
  • Employment Prospect, Opportunity & Enrichment Inc., $2,588
  • Environment: Earthplace, $1,800 
  • Women and Girls: Project Return, $1,495

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