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Norwalk, CT - The Fairfield County Community Foundation announced an $80,250 collaborative grant has been awarded to help Bridgeport Public Schools implement its strategic plan for peak effectiveness. Ten private funders, including The William H. Pitt Foundation in Stamford, and the Bridgeport school district contributed between $2,500 and $10,000 to the grant. It was awarded to the nonprofit Connecticut Center for School Change, which will guide the Bridgeport Public Schools superintendent’s nine-member cabinet in how to implement the district’s 146-page strategic plan. The plan, titled “Campaign 2012” and available on the district’s web site, outlines a comprehensive five-year strategy for achieving ambitious student performance objectives, including every student scoring at or above the state goal in the CMT, CAPT and other qualifying assessments; every student graduating from high school “college ready;” and reducing the drop out rate to zero. The grant is the first time the Bridgeport Funder’s Network collaborated on funding a project. Members include corporations and community and private foundations brought together by the Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation in 2006 to focus on effective, local philanthropy. The Bridgeport foundation since merged with the Fairfield County Community Foundation, which now leads the funder’s network. “This is strategic philanthropy,” said Susan Ross, president and CEO of the Fairfield County Community Foundation. “Bridgeport is the second largest school district in the state, with over twenty-one thousand students and thirty-seven schools. This grant is an investment that will help strengthen the entire school system and benefit tens of thousands of children throughout their lifetimes.” In addition to The William H. Pitt Foundation, participants in the collaborative grant include The Charter Oak Challenge Foundation, Fairfield County Community Foundation, GE Foundation, William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, Lone Pine Foundation, Near and Far Aid, People’s United Bank, The Perrin Family Foundation and United Illuminating Company. “Collaborative funding like this goes much further than individual contributions,” said Timothy Hodges, vice president, community relations of People’s United Bank. “We would have never known about this opportunity if the Funder’s Network hadn’t brought it to our attention.” The Fairfield County Community Foundation promotes the growth of community and regional philanthropy to improve the quality of life throughout Fairfield County. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds and contribute to existing funds. The Foundation also provides philanthropic advisory services and develops and leads initiatives to tackle critical community issues. It is in compliance with the Council on Foundations’ national standards for community foundations. The Fairfield County Community Foundation merged with the Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation in January 2008. The merged Foundation’s net assets approach $150 million. The combined history includes over $90 million in grantmaking to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. For more information, visit www.fccfoundation.org. © Copyright by StamfordPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of StamfordPlus.com, Stamford Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. Related Articles: Bysiewicz to honor Trumbull World War II veterans - Sep 19, 2008 - 4:58 PM King Middle School students from Stamford qualify for the Johns Hopkins Youth Talent Search - Sep 19, 2008 - 4:52 PM Samuel Felder, M.D. FACC, and Susan Mani, M.D. expand care for patients in New Milford - Sep 19, 2008 - 4:38 PM Fairfield Museum’s Fall Festival, Native American style - Sep 19, 2008 - 12:35 PM Silver Hill Hospital hosts weekly psychiatry radio program - Sep 19, 2008 - 8:57 AM CURRENT HEADLINES: Top of Page
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