Community - Grants

Grants are a very important part of the overall funding mix that helps us to not only keep our doors open, but to extend our reach to more cancer patients and to improve the depth and quality of our programs for them.  In recent years, we have added individual and family counseling hours as a valued part of our services.  While this is expensive to provide, we believe it makes a critical difference to our families in their most vulnerable and stressful hours.

We wish to recognize all the funders who believe in the importance of our work in the community.

The Fairfield County Community Foundation Awards Grant
to Ann's Place

Through the efforts of Karen Brown, Vice President of Programs for Fairfield County Community Foundation (FCCF), Ann's Place was awarded a grant of $15,000. This generous gift was made possible from a FCCF donor advised fundholder, who receives philanthropic advisory services from FCCF staff. The thoughtful donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has greatly assisted Ann's Place in the provision of services to individuals and families challenged by cancer. In awarding this grant, Ms. Brown stated, "Ann's Place delivers a remarkable array of services for Fairfield County individuals and their families impacted by cancer. Our donor was impressed by the fact that these services are provided free of charge and wanted to support that mission."

Wilda Hayes stated "With a high incidence of cancer diagnoses in Fairfield County, Ann's Place has added clinical staff and increased services to meet the growing need. The generous support of this thoughtful donor through Fairfield County Community Foundation is especially timely and meaningful and is a gift of hope to countless cancer survivors."

Left to right: George Colabella, Karen Brown, Wilda Hayes, Su Murdock.

Connecicut Challenge for Cancer Survivors: Underwriting support for our wellness programs which focus on information and instruction on healthy living for survivors after cancer treatment. We welcome the Connecticut Challenge organization which shares our commitment to improving the lives of cancer survivors (2010).

ct - Gathered for the presenting of the $5,000 grant check to Ann’s Place from the Connecticut Challenge are:
Community Outreach Coordinator Maureen Gianni, Clinical Director Su Murdock, Executive Director Wilda Hayes, Connecticut Challenge’s Sharyn Taymor, Director of Development George Colabella, and Connecticut Challenge’s Julia Pemberton.

Robert Bedoukian - Bedoukian Research, Inc.: Gracious funding provided for the construction of our new facility.

Big Y Supermarkets: On July 26th, Anthony Santilli and Amanda Bryda of the Newtown Big Y presented Ann's Place with a generous gift. Ann's Place was selected to be a beneficiary of the Big Y Paul H. D'Amour Memorial Golf Outing held in Massachusetts. We are grateful to Big Y for their fundraising efforts and look forward to a continued friendship with Big Y.


From left to right: George Colabella, Anthony Santilli, Wilda Hayes & Amanda Bryda

Boehringer-Ingelheim Cares Foundation: Underwriting support of our quarterly Family Day activities and the Family Support Network programs for children, parents and families facing cancer. Click above to see more information about this program series.

The Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation: Renewing its support of Ann's Place

The Peter & Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation has once again renewed its support of Ann's Place with a gift of $10,000. For the third year, the Foundation has recognized the work of Ann's Place and continues its relationship with us. Christopher Buck, President of the Foundation, noted his letter that he and the Foundation "...appreciate the valuable work of Ann's Place adn are very pleased to be able to help support that work." The Executive Director, Ben Benoit, also shared his esteem of our commitment, noting "Best wishes for a year filled with growth and accomplishment".

The Woman's Club of Danbury/New Fairfield: in support of a priceless therapeutic retreat for cancer patients (2010), (2009).

GE Volunteers Foundation: A generous grant for scaffolding and gardening tools.

The Hollander Foundation:

The Leir Charitable Foundations:

The Albert Wadsworth and Helen Clark Meserve Memorial Fund: Multiple grants, including the enhancement of landscaping off our new terrace (2009), for the purchase of a multi-function copier (2008), Bridges program support (2007).

- Gary Hawley serves on the Distribution Committee for the Meserve Fund. He is shown here presenting a grant check to Clinical Manager of Child/Family Programs Cheryl Koeber, MSW, LCSW

Newman's Own Foundation: Kids Kan program supported by Newman's Own Foundation.

Praxair Foundation: in generous support of direct services to individuals with cancer and their families. We are so grateful to Praxair for their belief in the value of our services. Many Praxair employees have taken advantage of our many services.

Ronald McDonald House Charities-New York Tri-State Area: for the purchase of supplies, equipment and furnishings for Kids Kan program.

RMHC 2010 RMHC of the New York Tri-State Area presents a $6,000 check to Cheryl Koeber, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Manager of Child/Family Programs at Ann's Place in 2010.


- Margaret Berger, immediate past Executive Director of RMHC of the New York Tri-State Area presents a $5,000 check to Cheryl Koeber, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Manager of Child/Family Programs at Ann's Place in 2008. These funds were applied to furnishings and supplies for Nancy's Clubhouse, a dedicated children's space at Ann's Place.

Savings Bank of Danbury Foundation: underwriting support for the Bridges Program (2010), (2009).

- George Colabella, Director of Development, and Wilda Hayes accept the generous grant check from Savings Bank Vice President Edward Carola on January 14, 2010.
~Photo By Mike Duffy

Union Savings Bank Foundation: in support of direct services provided by Kids Kan (2010).

Wachovia Bank:

Ann’s Fund

We are the recent recipients of an annual grant from Ann’s Fund, a donor-designated fund in the Fairfield County Community Foundation named for the late Ann Olsen.  Contributions can be made through the FCCF to grow this perpetual fund for our future operations.