More Than $100,000 Branford Community Foundation 2026 Annual Grants Awarded

BRANFORD, CT — The Branford Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of their 2026 annual grants.

The year 2026 saw another significant increase in requested funding compared to years prior. The Foundation received 53 applications requesting a total of $368,135.77, with requested amounts ranging from $1,500 to $50,000.

In 2025, the 51 applications totaled $296,806, with amounts ranging from $1,500 to $20,000.

BCF’s Community Investment Committee met six times to review applications and prepare recommendations, and according to BCF Executive Director, Liza Janssen Petra, this year’s decision- making process was once again, especially tough.

“Each year, the number of applications and the scale of funding requests grow,” said Petra. “We were thrilled to be able to increase our funding by over $10,000 in this funding cycle, but it is still such a highly competitive process because of the level of need from our local organizations. I am grateful to our committee for their dedication to ensuring that we are able to fund as many organizations as we can, across a range of needs."

Grants are awarded to 501(c)3 not-for-profit organizations and 170(c)(1) governmental agencies serving the Branford community and creating a positive impact, enhancing the quality of life in Branford.

The Board of Directors considers applications from one or more areas of focus: Animal Welfare; Arts, Culture, and Heritage; Basic Needs; Community Improvement and Vitality; Education; Environment and Sustainability; Human Services; Children and Youth; Seniors; Wellness and Mental Health.

Grant applications should address a need within the focus area and demonstrate impact on the organization, project, and community, and impact to Branford residents.

In total, $100,660 will be awarded to 36 recipients, including:

Animal Welfare
Branford Compassion Club – Branford Compassion Club Neuter/Spay Program 2026
Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter – 2026-2027 Dog Training and Behavioral Assessments

Arts, Culture & Heritage
Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance – Connecting Community Through the Arts
The Branford Electric Railway Association, Inc – Operating Support: Shore Line Trolley Museum
Branford Festival Corp – Operating Expenses
Branford Historical Society – The Branford Narrative Project:In Your Voice
Legacy Theatre – No Place Like Home: A Capital Investment in Legacy Theatre's Artist Cottage
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Heritage Foundation – Operating Support
Society of Nepalese in America – Arts, Culture, and Heritage class for Children and Youth
Stony Creek Fife & Drum Corps, Inc – Rewiring of the Electrics

Basic Needs
Branford Community Gardens – Seed, Weed & Feed Program Support
Branford Microfund – No Interest Loans for Branford Residents
Community Dining Room – Nutritional Program
Feed Branford Kids – Operating Support
Homemaker Thrift Shop – Marketing Initiative

Children & Youth
Branford Early Learning Center – Summer Enrichment
Branford Early Start Partnership for Children – Branford Early Start Outreach Support
Branford Youth Football League – Equipment Storage Shed, Program Sustainability
Camp Hazen YMCA – Financial Assistance to Support Youth from Branford, CT
Children in Placement – CIP: Guardian ad Litem
The Cove Center for Grieving Children – Guilford Cove Family Program
James Blackstone Memorial Library – Summer Learning Program
Soundview Family YMCA – Tim Quill 2nd Grade Learn to Swim Program

Community Improvement & Vitality
Branford Community Television – Equipment Upgrade Request
The Connecticut Hospice, Inc. – Family Fun and Fireworks at Connecticut Hospice
Stony Creek Farmers Market – Stony Creek Farmers Market Expenses

Education
Connecticut Science Center, Inc. – Student STEM Education Programs
Read to Grow, Inc. – Books for Kids program & Bookmobile Visit

Environment & Sustainability
East Shore District Health Dept. – Reducing Fecal Contamination in Branford Waters

Human Services
American Legion Corcoran Sundquist Post 83 – Kitchen Upgrades
Lumibility – Lumibility Enhanced Enrichment
Special Olympics CT – Central Shoreline Program Funding
Women & Family Life Center – Operating Grant

Seniors
Orchard House Medical Adult Day Center – Enhancing Music Program for Seniors
Shoreline Eldercare Alliance (SEA) – Development, Growth, and Further Collaborative Efforts for SEA
Wellness & Mental Health
Take A Vet Fishing – Operating Expenses

For more information on upcoming grants, sponsorships, and community events, or to make a contribution to the Branford Community Foundation, please email
Marketing@BranfordCommunityFoundation.org.

About The Branford Community Foundation

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.

For more information on upcoming grants, sponsorships, and community events, or to make a contribution to the Branford Community Foundation, please visit branfordcommunityfoundation.org.