New Canaan defends Most Generous Town title, Darien also wins for local nonprofits

New Canaan was awarded the coveted “Turkey Trophy” for this year’s “Most Generous Town” fundraising competition, but both The Community Fund of Darien (TCF) and the New Canaan Community Foundation (NCCF) and the neighbors they serve are the true winners of this friendly annual rivalry.

Collectively, the two nonprofit organizations raised $396,000 during the week leading up to Thanksgiving; the donations will be allocated through grants and community investments to the nonprofits’ local charitable partners. 

Inspired by “Giving Tuesday,” the post-Thanksgiving global day of giving that kicks off the holiday charity season, The Community Fund of Darien and the New Canaan Community Foundation created the “Most Generous Town” competition in 2017 as a fun way to encourage local donors to give to the two nonprofits the week leading up to the hotly contested high school football Turkey Bowl. The contest’s first year raised $70,000 for local nonprofits; donations have increased exponentially since then, raising a total of $1,322,243 since its inception. Darien won the competition in 2017 and 2019, while New Canaan took the title in 2018 and 2021 (there was no competition in 2020 due to the pandemic.) 

“We love tapping into our town’s competitive spirit and harnessing it to help our neighbors in Norwalk, Stamford and Darien,” noted Janet King, Executive Director of The Community Fund of Darien. “We hope that the “Most Generous Town” competition becomes as eagerly anticipated each year as the legendary Turkey Bowl!” 

“We are so thrilled this tradition helps encourage both towns to give, and the outcome reflects what generous communities we live in,” commented Lauren Patterson, President/CEO of New Canaan Community Foundation. 

 

About The Community Fund of Darien: 

The Community Fund of Darien’s (TCF) mission is to inspire people and mobilize resources to strengthen our community. Its vision is for all community members to have the opportunity to reach their full potential as healthy, educated, and self-sufficient individuals. TCF initiates solutions, builds collaborations, and implements and support programs to strengthen youth, adults and families, for lasting and positive impact in Darien, Norwalk and Stamford.  

Established in 1951, The Community Fund (TCF) invests approximately $600k annually in nonprofit health and human services organizations. Over the past 71 years, TCF has distributed more than $26 million to charitable organizations in our local communities, positively impacting thousands of lives. For more information, please visit the website at www.communityfunddarien.org 

About the New Canaan Community Foundation: 

The New Canaan Community Foundation, founded in 1977, serves as New Canaan’s local partner for advice, leadership, and facilitation of charitable giving. Their vision strives for a New Canaan that comes together to address both individual and local challenges, enriching the lives of all community members. To-date, the New Canaan Community Foundation has invested more than $21 million in nonprofit organizations and partners with individuals and businesses to achieve their philanthropic goals through donor-advised funds and other partnerships. For more information, please visit the website at www.newcanaancf.org 

 

Contacts 

Janet King, Executive Director of The Community Fund of Darien 

(203) 655-8775 janetking@communityfunddarien.org 

or 

Lauren Patterson, President & CEO of The New Canaan Community Foundation 

(203) 966-0231 lpatterson@newcanaancf.org

 

Photo: Darien First Selectman Monica McNally and New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihan with the "Most Generous Town" Turkey Trophy

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Submitted by New Canaan, CT

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