The Canaan Foundation

03/18/2026

We love seeing grants from our Foundation being put to work in our community. Congratulations Canaan Kids Artspace, looking forward to seeing all your crafts and developments this year.

GREAT NEWS!
Canaan Kids Artspace was awarded a grant from the The Canaan Foundation to continue to provide financial aid for students in our Art Club programs, as well as bring in amazing partners and teaching artists for community workshops.

Thank you so much for your support, The Canaan Foundation!

03/17/2026

Canaan Foundation Awards Grants

North Canaan - Canaan Foundation awards 25 grants

This month, The Canaan Foundation awarded 25 grants totaling $28,000 to area programs benefiting the residents of the Town of North Canaan. These grants are made possible by the generous and continuous support of our community donors through donations received during the Foundation’s annual fund drive, bequests and memorial contributions by families of deceased Canaan residents and friends of the Foundation.

Core services that received grants included the Canaan Fire Company, the North Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corp., the North Canaan Beautification Committee, the Douglas Library, Chore Services, the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Service of Litchfield, Friends of the Canaan History Center, the Falls Village - Canaan Historical Society, Project Sage, as well as the North Canaan Social Services office.

The Canaan Foundation is especially keen to support grants benefiting families and children in North Canaan. Organizations that received grants included the Canaan Child Care Center, Art Garage, The Canaan Community Trust, Canaan Kids’ Artspace, Community Health and Wellness, Fishes and Loaves, Project Graduation, Brooker Memorial, North Canaan Elementary School, Boy Scout Troop 22, The North Canaan Education Foundation, the North Canaan Events Committee, The North Canaan Recreation Commission, and YMCA of Western Connecticut at Geer.

Now in its 26th year, The Canaan Foundation was established in 2000 by a group of forward thinking residents. The Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Town of North Canaan. Since 2000, the Foundation has distributed more than $568,000 in grants. For more information about The Canaan Foundation, visit www.canaan-foundation.org.

01/23/2026

Hey, are there any community organizations that support the residents of North Canaan that could use a little extra funding? The Canaan Foundation grant application is open for 1 more week! Use the link below to review the requirements and to submit our form. Applications DUE 1/31.

All applications will be reviewed and decided upon by The Canaan Foundation Board. The Canaan Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Town of North Canaan.  To fulfill this mission, The Canaan Foundation awards grants to not-for-profit organizations ...

12/01/2025

It's December 1 and that means our annual grant application is open and ready to receive submissions.
If you are part of an organization that provides support and services to the residents of North Canaan, consider submitting an application. More information is available here:

All applications will be reviewed and decided upon by The Canaan Foundation Board. The Canaan Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Town of North Canaan.  To fulfill this mission, The Canaan Foundation awards grants to not-for-profit organizations ...

10/30/2025

Our celebration of 25 years was extra special because we got to highlight the organizations that meet our Foundation's mission of enhancing the quality of life for the residents of North Canaan.

NORTH CANAAN — Sunday was a celebration of the Canaan Foundation’s 25th anniversary, as well as a celebration of the town.The foundation was formed by a group of local citizens with a mission to enhance the quality of life for townspeople. This was done by raising money to give to local nonprofi...

10/28/2025

It was a wonderful celebration of community on Sunday at Colonial Theatre North Canaan where we showcased 13 different non-profit organizations that each contribute to enhancing the quality of life for residents of North Canaan. We are inspired by Breetel's work and were excited to have Canaan Kids Artspace represented!

06/03/2025

Looking forward to this weekend’s celebration!

This Saturday! Rain or shine! 🌳🐰🤍

06/02/2025

We were thrilled to find out last week that our application to Eversource for upgraded lighting in our North Canaan pavilion was granted. Board Chair Mary Perotti joined First Selectman Brian Ohler and Tim Waldron from Eversource to receive the award.

Eversource Partners with The Canaan Foundation for Park Upgrades

As residents of the Town of North Canaan eagerly wait for the dedication and unveiling of the newly minted Bunny McGuire Park, located right in the heart of town, donations and grants continue to fund the remarkable improvements that have been slated for the property.

In a small gathering at Town Hall on Wednesday, May 28th, 2025, Eversource announced that The Canaan Foundation was selected to be the recipient of a $2,500 grant, made possible by the Eversource Energy Foundation. The Canaan Foundation applied for the grant, which will be used to upgrade all of the lighting at the Bunny McGuire Park.

“Eversource is committed to supporting organizations and initiatives that make a positive difference in the communities we serve. We are pleased to support the efforts to improve the community pavilion lighting at the Bunny McGuire Park in North Canaan, and are hopeful that it will be a place for community members to gather for years to come,” said Tim Waldron, Community Relations and Economic Development Specialist at Eversource Energy.

In response to the grant, Mary Perotti, President of The Canaan Foundation, said, “We are very appreciative of the generosity and financial assistance that has been offered to us by Eversource. In turn, this grant will now allow The Canaan Foundation to offer its support to the newly renovated and soon to be dedicated, Bunny McGuire Park; which has now become such a beautiful centerpiece of our town.”

Brian M. Ohler, First Selectman of North Canaan, followed with his own gratitude, saying, “The Bunny McGuire Park is a very special place, with so much to offer its guests. With this gift from Eversource, the park can now receive a lighting upgrade that has been so desperately needed. Our friends at The Canaan Foundation remain steadfast in their mission, being dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Town of North Canaan."

Donations and grants have remained the primary financial basis for the upgrades and improvements that have taken place at the Bunny McGuire Park, which is a true testament to the unwavering support that has been shown and offered since the park’s name and dedication was announced.

A formal ribbon-cutting and celebration will take place at 1:00 PM, on Saturday, June 7th, 2025. All are welcome to attend the festivities. Please save the date!

(Photo, from left to right, Brian M. Ohler, North Canaan First Selectman, Mary Perotti, President of The Canaan Foundation, and Tim Waldron, Community Relations and Economic Development Specialist at Eversource Energy)

Eversource Energy
The Canaan Foundation

03/21/2025

Canaan Foundation awards grants
North Canaan – Canaan Foundation awards 24 grants
The Canaan Foundation has recently awarded 24 grants totaling $28,500 to area programs benefiting the residents of the Town of North Canaan. These grants are made possible from the generous and continuous support of our community donors.
Core services that again received grants included the Canaan Fire Company, the North Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Service, the North Canaan Social Services office, the North Canaan Fire Marshal's Office and the Douglas Library. Geer’s Dial-A-Ride transportation service, the Chore Service, Project Sage, and the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Service of Litchfield also received grants.
Grants benefiting families and children in North Canaan included the Housatonic Youth Services Bureau, Canaan Child Care Center, the Canaan Community Trust, Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry, North Canaan Boy Scouts Pack 22, Greenwood Counseling Services, North Canaan Education Foundation, NCES, YMCA of Western CT at Geer, North Canaan Recreation Commission, Art Garage, North Canaan Events Committee and the new Canaan Kids Artspace.
Funds for The Canaan Foundation come from donations during its annual fund drive, bequests and memorial contributions by families of deceased Canaan residents, and friends of the Foundation.
The Canaan Foundation was established in 2000 dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Town of North Canaan. There will be a community event to celebrate this year’s 25th anniversary at The Colonial Theatre on Saturday, October 26th (more details to come).

Since 2000, the Foundation has distributed more than $540,000 in grants.

01/15/2025

Our annual grant application is open. Deadline is 1/31/2025. If you volunteer with an organization that supports the residents of North Canaan, consider submitting an application.

All applications will be reviewed and decided upon by The Canaan Foundation Board. The Canaan Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Town of North Canaan.  To fulfill this mission, The Canaan Foundation awards grants to not-for-profit organizations ...

12/18/2024

Attention Local Organizations that support and serve the residents of North Canaan, CT: The Canaan Foundation is now accepting grant applications through 1/31/2025!
Find eligibility requirements and the grant application posted here:

All applications will be reviewed and decided upon by The Canaan Foundation Board. The Canaan Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Town of North Canaan.  To fulfill this mission, The Canaan Foundation awards grants to not-for-profit organizations ...

12/02/2024

Giving Tuesday is tomorrow. Our goal is to raise $1,200 to be applied to our 2025 grant awards. Will you join our campaign and make a contribution - any amount is welcome and appreciated.

The Canaan Foundation was established in 2000 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Town of North Canaan. As we approach our 25th year raising funds and supporting the North Canaan Community, we hope you will join in supporting us on this Giving Tuesday.To ful...