Community Events
Invite, Inspire, Impact
Designed to Dine
Thank you for joining us at our Designed to Dine Afternoon Tea & Evening Celebration.
Gorgeous weather, extraordinary tablescapes, and a room full of friends and neighbors made for a wonderful celebration. Every detail elevated this special day.
Thanks to the support of our generous guests and sponsors, The Community Fund raised more than $225,000 to support local nonprofits serving Stamford, Norwalk, and Darien.
Grant Awards Celebration
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
5:00–6:30 PM
Held at The Meadowlands at The DCA
Each year, we proudly host our Annual Grant Awards Celebration to recognize and celebrate the incredible work of our local nonprofit grantees. During this special event, we announce and present our annual community grants — funds that directly support nonprofit programs providing access to food, housing, physical and mental healthcare, employment skills, youth success programs, and emergency services to our neighbors in need. This year, The Community Fund is proud to celebrate 75 years of grant making and our 2026 Grantees.
The event is free, open to the public, and welcomes community members, donors, volunteers, and our nonprofit partners. The celebration is a chance to honor their dedication and the generosity of our donors who make this support possible.
Thank you to Our Generous 2026 Grant Awards Sponsors
KPMG
Bankwell
Darien Road Race & Family Fun Day
46th Annual Darien Road Race
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Pear Tree Point Beach, Darien
8:30–11:00 AM
Every September, we host our annual Darien Road Race & Family Fun Day, bringing together more than 500 runners, walkers, volunteers, and supporters to raise essential funds for our grant pool.
Join The Community Fund of Darien this September for the 2026 Darien Road Race & Family Fun Day on Sunday, September 20, from 8:30–11:00 AM at Pear Tree Point Beach. Neighbors of all ages and abilities are invited to RUN FOR A REASON in the 1.5-mile Timed Run/Walk or the 5-mile Timed Race, beginning and ending at Darien's Pear Tree Point Beach.
9:00 AM 1.5-Mile Run/Walk
9:30 AM 5-Mile Race
8:30 - 11:00 AM Family Fun Tent Activities - Games, face painting, prizes, & more!
For 46 years, this beloved fall tradition has brought together runners, walkers, families, and neighbors to support The Community Fund of Darien’s mission to strengthen our community. Every dollar raised supports local nonprofits providing access to food, housing, physical and mental healthcare, employment skills, youth success programs, and emergency services for our neighbors in Stamford, Norwalk, and Darien.
Throughout the morning, families can cheer on the runners and enjoy beachside activities in a large tent featuring a photo booth, face painting, games, a prize booth, and more. This is truly a community favorite event, and we invite all neighbors to join us.
This past year, the Darien Road Race raised $65,000 to support local nonprofits.
Thank you 2026 Sponsors
BMW of Darien + MINI
The Goddard School Darien + Noroton Heights
Hollow Tree Self Storage and Wine Vault
KPMG
ONS
Performance Optimal Health
Hutchinson Tree Care Specialists, Inc.
Ring's End
Bankwell
Dr. Hamilton-Hall
Gault Family Companies
John H. Wygal & Company Financial Advisor
Park Animal Hospital
2026 Darien Road Race Committee
Keira Laforteza
Beatriz Meenagh
Jon Thompson
Mahjong for Good
Mahjong for Good is back in 2026!
Save the Date
Thursday, October 22, 2026
This past November, we hosted our first-ever Mahjong for Good fundraiser at Woodway Country Club. The sold-out event welcomed over 150 local mahjong enthusiasts and Community Fund supporters for an energized evening of play and shared commitment to caring for their neighbors.
The fundraiser generated more than $25,000 for The Community Fund’s 2026 Grant Pool, which provides grants to local nonprofits supporting the basic needs of neighbors in Stamford, Norwalk, and Darien – providing access to food, housing, physical and mental healthcare, employment skills, youth success programs, and emergency services.
47th Darien Volunteer Celebration
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 5:30–7:00 PM
Held at The Meadowlands at the DCA
Since 1979, The Community Fund of Darien has recognized individuals whose dedication makes a meaningful impact in our community.
Each April, we host our Annual Darien Volunteer Celebration, a tradition that honors Darien’s volunteers.
The free event invites community members, nonprofit partners, donors, and volunteers for an evening of appreciation, thanking and recognizing those whose time and talent make a lasting impact on our community.
Each year, we invite community organizations and individuals to nominate outstanding Darien resident volunteers for one of several award categories. Nominations are open to all and are accepted each spring through the online submission form. Each organization or individual may submit one nomination. Nominees must be Darien residents who have made a meaningful contribution during the past year and who have not previously been recognized for the same volunteer project.
Nominees are evaluated on their action, commitment, and time. All nominees and nominators are notified by email in late March, and award recipients are celebrated at the Celebration in April.
Thank You to Our Generous 2026 Event Sponsors
Bankwell
Brown Harris Stevens
PURE Insurance
USI Insurance Services