Publication: In Your Northwest Corner
A Creative Place to Grow
ArtGarage provides Region One students with a free afterschool arts program that fosters creativity, independence, and connection. Students from the towns of Canaan, Cornwall, Kent, North Canaan, Salisbury, and Sharon gather in this unique space to explore pottery, painting, poetry, sewing, and more—choosing their own projects and working with professional artist-mentors in a welcoming, vibrant space.
A recent grant from the Northwest CT Community Foundation Khurshed Bhumgara Fund supports the expansion of ArtGarage’s programming from three days to four, allowing the program to meet a 300% increase in participation and serve more students from the region.
“ArtGarage offers students a safe space where they can explore both art and their potential,” said John Brett of ArtGarage.
“Because they [students] are supported and mentored by professional artists, they’re better prepared to contribute to their communities, succeed in school, and express themselves.”
Edna Z. Wells of Quilts that Care, Emily F. Thomann of the Diebold Family Cancer Center, Deborah Van Steenbergen of Quilts That Care
Comfort in Challenging Times
The all-volunteer team of Quilts that Care makes quilts for cancer patients receiving treatment throughout CT, including patients at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, and Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Litchfield County. Since 2012, Quilts that Care has made and donated more than 6,000 quilts to cancer patients receiving treatment through 20 Connecticut healthcare facilities.
"Many of our volunteers are cancer survivors, patients, have family members with cancer or are widows of cancer patients," said Edna Z. Wells of Quilts that Care.
Recent grants from the Northwest CT Community Foundation Echo Valley Foundation Fund and the Northwest CT Community Foundation Northwest CT Philanthropy Fund enabled Quilts that Care to purchase quilt-making equipment.
"This grant helps us to purchase fabric backing, rotary cutters, quilt rulers and other equipment we need to further our mission to wrap cancer patients in comfort and hope, one quilt at a time.”
Friendly Hands Food Bank volunteers
Help with Essential Needs
Friendly Hands Food Bank provides critical food and essentials to children, families, veterans, and seniors throughout the Northwest Corner of CT. Services include a mobile pantry, deliveries to senior and day care centers, a pet food pantry, and a year-round fresh farmers market.
Recent grants from the Northwest CT Community Foundation: Borghesi Family Fund, Miriam Mason Cable Trust Fund, Eva M. Coty Fund, Claire and Robert Dombi Fund, and Jeffrey and Susan Lalonde Community Betterment Fund have provided more than $35,250 in flexible support as the organization experiences rising costs—insurance, electricity, gas, water, and sewer—associated with their expanding facility. The support helps Friendly Hands Food Bank offer longer hours and a grocery-store style shopping experience with the increased capacity for food storage and distribution needed to help meet growing need.
"These dollars are crucial to our most rewarding work of feeding the food insecure as we see numbers grow to over 11,000 people fed per month at our facility,” said Karen Thomas of Friendly Hands Food Bank.
What's New at NCCF
NCCF Awards $179,950 in Recent Grants
In June, NCCF awarded $179,950 in grants to 32 local nonprofit organizations through its second grant cycle of 2025. These grants, awarded three times per year, directly support essential services, community enrichment, and operational needs throughout Northwest CT.
Learn more
More than $500,000 in Scholarships Awarded to Local Students
NCCF awarded 189 students across the Northwest Corner of CT $532,100 in scholarships and awards for the 2025–2026 academic year—a significant increase from last year’s $456,000.
Learn more
Draper Foundation Fund Awards More than $600,000 to Local Nonprofits
The Northwest CT Community Foundation Draper Foundation Fund recently awarded $619,650 in grants to 29 nonprofits in Northwest CT.
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Women & Girls Fund Supports Child Care Access and More
The Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund awarded $19,650 in grants focused on enhancing economic security, education, and quality of life for women and girls in the Northwest Corner of CT.
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Save the Date: September 18, 2025
Nonprofits throughout the Northwest Corner of CT are invited to attend Improving Our Region Through Nonprofit Excellence, a one-day local nonprofit conference.
