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The list of community organizations that have benefited from Darien Foundation grants is extensive. The Darien Community Association is constructing a beautiful 4 acre Bird Sanctuary and Native PlantGarden on their property with a $33,000 grant. The YWCA has a 12 station computer learning lab. A sophisticated audio-visual system for The Darien Historical Society’s renovated exhibition space was made possible by a DF grant. The Darien Library received a $500,000 grant from the Foundation to provide the Technology Training Lab and other technologies in the new Library. A $185,000 grant was awarded to the YMCA Capital Campaign for co-generation technology to heat, cool and dehumidify the Y’s facility.
The Darien Arts Center received a $90,000 grant for a professional sound and video system in their Weatherstone Theatre. The vegetable gardens at the elementary schools were built with help from a grant from the DF. Person to Person’s Capital Campaign received $25,000 for the reconstruction and renovation of the reception and waiting room area. The Andrew Shaw Scout Cabin has new technology equipment thanks to a $19,000 grant. The Depot Teen Center is being outfitted with new furniture, band and sound equipment, computers and security systems from a $30,000 grant. The Darien Nature Center’s website and the Town of Darien’s ecommerce websites were developed with grants from the Foundation.The Darien Athletic Foundation’s “Sunny Day Project” is an ambitious undertaking which will provide turf fields at DHS and MMS as well a Concession Pavilion at the high school’s stadium. The DAF has already donated a state-of-the-art video scoreboard to Darien HS. Their fundraising efforts were significantly jumpstarted with a $500,000 multi-year pledge from the Darien Foundation. In fact, the Darien Foundation is crucial to groups who undertake fundraising projects in town. The Blue Wave Booster Club received $30,000 from the DF when they raised money for the new fitness center at DHS. The Darien High School Band raised $70,000 for new instruments in 2010 — $15,000 was donated to the effort by the DF. The Playground by the Sound at Weed Beach fundraising group successfully raised $250,000 to build a beautiful waterfront playground – $57,000 of this effort came from the Darien Foundation.It is the remarkable generosity of residents and corporate donors that has made the Darien Foundation a successful grant making organization. Darien is incredibly fortunate to have a local foundation dedicated to providing funds for technology and capital projects that enrich our town.
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