Fairfield County Community Foundation, promoting the growth of community and regional philanthrophy to improve the quality of life throughout Fairfield County,  recently made $9.1 million in grants to area nonprofits for the 2009 fiscal year.  In addition, the Foundation brokered another $1.3 million in grants from other foundations and funding sources to benefit programs by nonprofits in Fairfield County.

The Foundation awarded 105 grants in Norwalk totaling $700,746.  Among the recipients were Child Guidence Center, Domestic Violence Crisis Center, Family ReEntry, Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk Community College Foundation, Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, Norwalk Youth Symphony, Shakespere On the Sound and the Stepping Stones Museum.

More than $1.2 million was awarded to Stamford nonprofits by the Foundation.  They included Americares, Bartlett Arboretum, Boys & Girls Club of Stamford, Child Guidence Center, Keep Stamford Beautiful, SoundWaters, Stamford Museum and Nature Center and Women’s Business Development Center.

Wesport nonprofits received 26 grant awards totaling $$171,986.  The Interfaith Housing association of Westport/Weston, Save the Children, Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve and Wesport Arts Center were among the recipients.

Other organizations to benefit from grants awarded by the Fairfield County Community Foundation are the Barnum Museum of Bridgeport and Audubon Connecticut.  The Barnum Museum will use its $20,000 grant tocontinue programming, maintain the landmark building and help support administrative and marketing expense.

Audubon Connecticut will use thir award of $16,000 to spearhead the conservation plan for the Long Beach, Pleasure Beach and Great Meadows located in Stratford and Bridgeport.