---

News Release

Community Foundation Receives National Recognition

Middlesex County Community Foundation has been recognized by the Council on Foundations for having organizational and financial practices which meet National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. The Council on Foundations, a Washington DC- based organization of grantmaking foundations and corporations, together with leaders in the community foundation field, created National Standards to assist community foundations in establishing legal, ethical and effective operating practices and provide a tangible set of bench marks for external assessment of performance.

Although one of Connecticut's newest and smaller community foundations, the Middlesex County Community Foundation is among the first in the State to receive a Certificate of Compliance with National Standards, passing a rigorous evaluation of its policies and practices by national reviewers. The 43 National Standards include six key areas of community foundation operations: mission, structure and governance; resource development; stewardship and accountability; grantmaking and community leadership; donor relations; and communications.

"Since its inception in 1997, the Middlesex County Community Foundation has been committed to establishing sound policies and effective practices to help us achieve our mission of improving the quality of life in Middlesex County. We believe that meeting these National Standards further demonstrates our commitment to excellence, accountability and superior service to our donors, grantees, and community," said Patti Anne Vassia, President of the Community Foundation.

Of the nearly 700 community foundations in the United States, 500 have pledged to comply with National Standards, including 14 community foundations located in Connecticut.

The Middlesex County Community Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Middlesex County. Its mission is to work with charitably-minded individuals and organizations to build permanent endowments and other charitable funds and to support local non-profit organizations through effective grantmaking to address community needs. Since its founding in 1997, the Community Foundation has provided over $650,000 in grants to more than 125 organizations for the arts; cultural and heritage programs; educational activities; environmental improvements; and for health and human services. The Middlesex County Community Foundation welcomes conversation with persons and organizations that wish to establish endowed funds or make tax-deductible donations to help build a better community. Contact Patti Anne Vassia, President, for more information at (860) 347-0025 or .

back