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Investing

in the health, well-being, and equity of our community

As a steward of community resources, we work alongside people and organizations to serve our neighbors—especially those that have historically been under-resourced.

What We Fund

Litchfield County Opiate Task Force, a network of first responders, providers, and mental health professionals who work in concert to cultivate connection, hope, harm reduction, and recovery in northwest Connecticut.

Photo courtesy of McCall Behavioral Health Network.

Partnering

with community to drive change

We operate under the principles of trust-based philanthropy and strive to develop deep relationships with our community’s non-profit sector.

Our Approach
Individuals pack brown paper bags on tables, shelves of food and refrigerators are in the background.

Comida de Vida Food Pantry, a mission of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Comida de Vida rapidly grew its operations to meet unprecedented community need.

Photo by Anne Day.

Focusing

where we’re needed most

We work to reduce barriers to health, to ensure that everyone regardless of their age, race, income level or zip code, has the opportunity to thrive.

Where We Work

Breaking ground on Community Health & Wellness' North Cannan Health Center.

Photo by Sarah Kenyon, courtesy of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.

Leading with trust

We approach grantee relationships from a place of trust and practice a form of philanthropy grounded in the collective wisdom of our community.

Our Approach to Grantmaking

Our community-first approach

We collaborate with other foundations and government. We work together with local healthcare and social service providers. We participate in coalitions and workgroups. We engage partners and bring together stakeholders to solve problems.

How We Work Alongside Community

Advocating for rural health

We advocate for policy changes that improve health in our rural community. This means creating actionable information around public health issues affecting our rural community and supporting participatory processes that include those most impacted by the problem.

How We Use Our Voice

Photo from a recent Nonprofit Community of Practice session held in 2023. FCH in partnership with Fio Partners began faciliating these sessions for grantee partners to support learning amongst and between nonprofits in our region.

Photo by FCH Staff.

Recent Grants Made through Our Capacity Building Grant Program

FCH recently granted $81,500 to eight non-profits in October through our Capacity Building Grant Program. Since its start in 2021, the program has granted total of $423,070 to 21 organizations – supporting important work including strategic planning, infrastructure needs, leadership support, and organizational restructuring.

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Coming together to celebrate 20 years, Nancy L. Heaton, President & CEO, Foundation for Community Health with FCH’s current and former Board Chairs. Left to right pictured: Mimi Tannen, Rob Kuhbach, Nancy L. Heaton, Dr. John Charde, Nancy Murphy, and Tom Quinn. Absent from this photo, former Board Chair, Katie Palmer-House.

Photo by Sarah Kenyon.

Celebrating 20 years of local impact

We’re proud of our history of investing in people, programs and strategies to improve health, and we’re grateful for the partners who’ve trusted us to do this important work since 2003.

Our Story

Seeking a Grant?

Our approach to grantmaking is built on trust, partnership and shared dedication to our community. Learn more about what we fund or reach out to start a conversation. We look forward to hearing from you!

Map of different counties

Who we serve

Foundation for Community Health serves the 17-town region where northwest Connecticut meets New York’s Greater Harlem Valley. Learn more about our region and see where our grantee partners are making an impact.

124

Grantee Partners

$21.4M

Total Granted

602

Grants Made

Our Communities

We’re always
learning

We know that meaningful, lasting change takes time and isn’t always easy to measure. That’s why we approach our work with openness and flexibility; we’re always testing ideas and looking for ways to better serve our community.

Stories

Staff at North East Dutchess Immigrant Services smiles while standing at a table being used to sort fresh produce.

Photo by Anne Day.

Working to ensure members of the local immigrant community thrive
Since its founding in 2005, Northeast Dutchess Immigrant Services (formerly Grace Immigrant Outreach) has been an integral community resource. Serving the rural towns of Pine Plains, Amenia, Stanfordville, Millbrook and Dover, NEDIS prides itself on connecting members of the local immigrant community with valuable resource…
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Photo by Anne Day.

Meeting the health and wellness needs of Northwest Connecticut
For two decades, Community Health & Wellness Center of Greater Torrington (CHWC) has been committed to keeping communities healthy. Their award-winning Federally Qualified Health Centers — defined as any community-based and patient-centered organization that delivers comprehensive and culturally competent primary health care services
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Health&

Photo by Renee Giroux and Janna Siller.

HEALTH & FOOD AGGREGATION AND DISTRIBUTION
Across the country, Americans are increasingly disconnected from the food they consume and how it was produced. In large part, our food system hinges on factory farms and commodity crops — pervasive problems plaguing our collective health. Unhealthy food systems come at a steep economic cost…
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Photo courtesy of Jordan Schmidt.

HEALTH & NUTRITION SECURITY
Food is the most basic of human needs; still, roughly 41 million adults and children across America live in food-insecure households — a staggering fact that sheds light on one of the nation’s leading health and nutrition issues.
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