Not-for-Profit Space Grants | Doing Good Work at Grace Farms

Over the past year, I have had the pleasure to meet some of the extraordinary not-for-profit leaders of our community–locally, regionally, state, and nation-wide; Executive Directors, Development Directors, and Program Directors–all on the front lines, serving people in crisis and in need. They have come to Grace Farms to re-frame their work, think outside of the box, and strategize about how to work more effectively and more efficiently. They have come to Grace Farms for refreshment and renewal. They have come to Grace Farms to run trainings and programs that are often very difficult, even painful, but somehow do-able surrounded by the beauty and light of this space.

We have been fortunate to develop wonderful, lasting relationships with several of these organizations, extending the good work they do beyond the scope of their original grant. In March this year, we hosted an all-day strategic planning meeting for Norwalk Community College (NCC). The West Barn Hall was alive with vibrant dialogue, break-out groups, and presentations. A needed break in the Commons for a delicious lunch reinvigorated the faculty, administrators, and board to come together again and press through their significant agenda. Since that meeting, NCC has been a tremendous partner, helping to organize our Source to the Sound cleanup, and participating in our Commemoration of the 15^th Anniversary of 9/11 in partnership with Voices of September 11^th.

We are also working to encourage conversation among our space grant recipients and similar organizations within our community. In July, we hosted our first Roundtable Discussion for six not-for-profit leaders in Fairfield County who serve the special needs community. They shared their successes and concerns, and within just a few hours had a myriad of ideas on how to support each other’s programs. The group was so encouraged just by making time to get outside of their individual realms, and remember that they are not alone in the pursuit of their important, often hard, work.

Grace Farms offers a peaceful environment with expansive vistas and impressive architecture, but the real value of this beautiful place is the ability to bring people together to advance good in the world. As we move forward, we continue to find new ways for our not-for-profit partners to do their work, engage in conversation with each other, imagine new ways to cross-pollinate, and offer support to each other.

Grace Farms Foundation is now accepting applications for 2016 Small Event Space Grants and 2017 Large Event Space Grants. Visit our For Good page to learn more about our available space grants for not-for-profit organizations.