People's United first quarter giving $22,500 in Vermont

People’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’s United Bank, announced today that it has awarded $22,500 in grants to nonprofit organizations in Vermont during the first quarter of 2012.  The organizations and programs supported include:  

• Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, Inc. - The WARMTH Support Program addresses the immediate need of low income Vermont households that are in danger of losing their heat and/or utilities due to their inability to pay.
• Special Olympics Vermont – The School Unified Bocce and Track Program helps to build meaningful relationships on and off the field and helps students appreciate each others differences, as hundreds of athletes and partners compete side-by-side, instilling camaraderie and acceptance among classmates. 

“The goal of the Foundation’s support is to improve the lives of people living or working in the communities served by People’s United Bank,” said Michael Seaver, Officer People’s United Community Foundation and President People’s United Bank Vermont. “Many agencies throughout our footprint are experiencing an increase in demand for their programs and services due to the economy, which means the need for program funding is increasing.  People’s United Community Foundation continues to try to do its part to help these important programs during a difficult economic period.” 

“This donation to the WARMTH Support Program is a practical and immediate gift to Vermonters who suffer during the winter months especially during a year when federal support has been cut and fuel prices have risen.  The compassionate leadership exhibited by the People’s United Community Foundation is a great encouragement to those of us on the front lines,” said Jan Demers, Executive Director of CVOEO. 

“We are deeply grateful to People’s United Community Foundation for supporting Special Olympics Vermont and our programming that focuses on bringing youth together – those with and without Intellectual Disabilities to foster understanding, respect and acceptance,” said Special Olympics Vermont President & CEO, Lisa DeNatale.  

Systemwide, the People’s United Community Foundation has awarded $448,500 in grants to nonprofit organizations throughout the communities it serves in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and New York. 

Eighty-one organizations received funding in support of their programs, which ranged from basic needs services and affordable housing projects, to education and job training programs. The funding was distributed within the Foundation’s three areas of focus, with 39 percent allocated to community development, 37 percent to youth development, and 24 percent towards affordable housing initiatives. 

“Each year we are proud to see how our nonprofit partners are utilizing our grants to positively impact the lives of residents across our footprint,” stated Vincent Santilli, Executive Director of People’s United Community Foundation. “We look forward to seeing our grantees make significant progress as we continue our collaborative efforts to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.”

For a detailed list of organizations which People’s United Community Foundation has supported in the first quarter of 2012, please refer to the chart below. 

Established in 2007, People’s United Community Foundation was formed to help support programs and activities that enhance the quality of life for citizens in the communities that People’s United Bank serves. People’s United Bank, founded in 1842 and serving customers from New York to Maine, is the largest independent bank headquartered in New England. The Foundation places special emphasis on programs designed to promote economic self-sufficiency, education and improved conditions for low-income families and neighborhoods. The funding priorities of the Foundation include: community development, youth development, and affordable housing.