Newtown-sandy hook community foundation

Immediately following the tragedy on 12/14, the Sandy Hook School Support Fund (SHSSF) was created by United Way Coastal and Western CT (UWCWC) and the Newtown Savings Bank (NSB). The Fund was established to receive primarily undesignated financial donations, with the intent that the money raised would support children and families impacted by the tragedy, first responders, teachers, and the Newtown community in both the short and long-term. No fees or expenses have ever been taken for the administration of the SHSSF by the United Way or the Newtown Savings Bank. 

Since its inception in early 2013, the Newtown-Sandy Hook Community Foundation has made significant progress in promoting mental wellness, emotional resilience, and community healing in the aftermath the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The Foundation has provided over $13.5 million in financial support for mental health and wellness, grants supporting recovery efforts, and essential programs for community leadership. These accomplishments reflect a deeply collaborative effort—one grounded not only in the Foundation’s leadership, but also in the dedication of service providers, donors, and community members.

In January 2015, the Board approved a planned transition strategy, informed in part by the anticipated graduation of the youngest class of children enrolled at Sandy Hook School on December 14, 2012. This strategy established a clear and meaningful framework for the Foundation’s operations and long-term recovery efforts.

Consistent with this framework, the Foundation committed to a strategic spenddown of the Sandy Hook School Support Fund, concluding operations on December 16, 2025. This decision reflected the Foundation’s dual commitment to supporting sustained recovery while facilitating a thoughtful transition toward community self-sufficiency and long-term resilience. To explore the Foundation’s impact over the years, access the impact reports below: