Impact Fairfield County Kicks Off 2026 Grant Year

Impact Fairfield County (Impact FFC), the region’s leading women’s collective giving organization, opened its 2026 grant year at its annual Fall Kick-Off event held at The Loading Dock. Members and prospective members came together to connect, learn about the year ahead, and hear updates from the 2025 $100,000 Grant Winners: The Rowan Center and EMERGE Connecticut. The event marked an incredible start to the new cycle, which is already seeing heightened nonprofit interest following the release of Impact FFC’s annual Request for Proposals earlier this summer.

“It was wonderful to see so many women come together to start the new grant year,” said Annika Kennon, Co-President of Impact FFC. “We’re also encouraged by the strong response from nonprofits across the county, with early indicators suggesting one of our busiest application cycles to date. It’s a meaningful reminder of the impact our collective giving model can have.”

The morning featured updates from The Rowan Center, whose 2025 Impact Grant is funding the development of KidSafeHQ, a digital platform launching in early 2026 that will provide families with local, real-time safety alerts, expert guidance, and emerging trends related to online exploitation. “We can’t always predict the next danger facing our kids — but we can promise that when we learn something, families in our community will know it too,” said Sharon Walker Epps, CEO of The Rowan Center. “Thanks to Impact FFC, KidSafeHQ will bring vital information directly to the people who need it most, across every community we serve.”

Attendees also heard from Jasmine Sams, Director of Organizational Development at EMERGE Connecticut, who shared progress from the organization’s newly launched Bridgeport site. The site opened this summer and welcomed its first transitional employment crew this fall. “Transformation begins with opportunity — and Impact Fairfield County opened the door for us in Bridgeport,” said Sams. “Your support has allowed us to build a foundation that will serve justice-impacted individuals for years to come. Together, we’re creating pathways to stability, dignity, and long-term success.”

Impact Fairfield County continues to expand its presence regionwide, with members and grantees representing communities throughout Fairfield County. The organization’s collective giving model unites women in awarding $100,000 transformational grants each year, supplemented by unrestricted funds for finalists. To date, Impact FFC has invested close to $2.6 million in nonprofits serving under-resourced populations across the county.

“Our members care deeply about strengthening the communities where we live and work,” said Jennifer Servedio, Impact FFC Co-President. “We look forward to continuing our strong momentum into this new grant cycle.”

Membership for the 2026 grant cycle is open through December 31, 2025. To learn more or become a member, visit impactffc.org or contact membership@impactffc.org.
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About Impact Fairfield County
Impact FFC empowers women to engage in local philanthropy through deeper knowledge and active participation in grantmaking. Each year, members award large, transformational grants to nonprofits addressing critical needs across Fairfield County. For more information, visit impactffc.org.