Darien Foundation Funds Hydrogen Fuel Cell

The Energy Symposium on May 27, 2016 at Darien High School featured an array of automobiles using alternative energy sources, including the DHS Fuel Cell Team’s own Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicle.  Solar energy, different techniques of energy creation and ways to improve Connecticut’s energy efficiency were some of the topics covered by guest speakers at the symposium.

IMG_0611                  IMG_0608

The Darien Foundation has a history of giving…

The Darien Foundation has demonstrated that it is the “go-to” funding source for projects that enhance the Darien community. Since its founding in 1998, the Foundation has provided over $3 million in grants to the Darien Public Schools, Darien emergency services and many of the town’s community organizations. The initial funding for the Foundation was provided by several founding families and a generous $500,000 donation from Maureen and Richard Chilton. Richard, now Chairman Emeritus, was its first Chairman. The Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and Officers which is currently chaired by Ward Glassmeyer, a lifelong Darien resident. Grant decisions are made at monthly Board meetings where organizations will frequently present their requests. The requests are thoroughly reviewed and researched by the Board and decisions are usually made within one to two months. A popular yearly fundraising gala and an annual appeal provide the funds for the grant awards. The Foundation’s minimal operating costs are covered by Board members’ and officers’ contributions.

 

Darien Public Schools

Starting as the Darien Technology Foundation, the Foundation’s early grants went to the Darien Public Schools to encourage the Administration to establish a comprehensive and ongoing technology plan. Once the Administration began providing the technology basics, the Foundation continued to fund innovative and cutting edge technology in the schools. The PASCO Physics Lab and Leica Microscopy Lab at DHS are both gifts from the Darien Foundation as are the Music, Art & Design Lab and the iMac Lab at Middlesex Middle School.  Their most recent grant to the schools is a PASCO iPad Lab for the Chemistry Department at DHS and a mobile iPad Lab for the Science and Social Studies Departments at MMS. Since its founding, the Foundation has provided close to $1million in grants to the Darien Public Schools.

Emergency Services

The Darien Foundation has provided grants totaling $330,000 to EMS Post 53, the Darien Fire Departments and the Darien Police Department.

Community Organizations

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.