July 2, 2008 - Groundwork Bridgeport, a local non-profit, has received a generous $5,000 grant from the Fairfield County Community Foundation’s Financial Management Assistance Fund to help to cover the cost of the organization’s annual audit. The focus of this important field of interest fund is to offer grants to Fairfield County nonprofits that require assistance in the areas of financial management, which is one of the most important practices in organizationalmanagement.   

 

“As a non-profit we are required to have an annual audit; however, the cost can be substantial for a grassroots organization such as ours,” stated Executive Director, Richard Tiani. 

 

“We are very fortunate to have such great support from the Fairfield County Community Foundation. They are an asset to the local community and set an incredible philanthropic example in the state of Connecticut,” said Mr. Tiani. With financial support from the foundation, Groundwork Bridgeport can continue growing and improving the programs offered throughout the Greater Bridgeport area. 

 

Groundwork Bridgeport is dedicated to revitalizing the urban environment in the city and working with youth to provide environmental education. The organization is in its 10^th year of operation and is successfully growing a number of programs. Since 1998, GWB has partnered with over 6500 individuals, 51 groups, 29 businesses and 23 foundations to reclaim and beautify neighborhoods. This year, the Butterflies Are Teachers and Green Team programs engaged over 450 public elementary, middle, and high school youth to become proactive in improving the visual quality of life in their neighborhoods while strengthening science and math skills, increasing knowledge about career options in the horticulture field, and developing skills for entering the workplace after high school. Our Folks, Groundwork Bridgeport’s social enterprise, provided over 500 landscaping service visits for low-income, inner-city, elderly homeowners who, because of physical and financial challenges, could not maintain their lawns and yards. For more information about Groundwork Bridgeport and their work in the community, please call us at: (203) 335-6126, or visit us on the web at: www.groundworkbpt.org.

 

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.