Center for Community and Public Recreation

Community

Change is built by community, and
systemic change is sustained by community.

We provide a warm, welcoming environment that fosters meaningful community and engagement among diverse groups of people. We create proximities to individuals and organizations with different perspectives to advance new ways of thinking, ignite partnerships, and catalyze new outcomes that can lead toward sustained social impact to advance good in the world.

Our Approach

We believe that change is best catalyzed in community.

Sharing with a Purpose

By gathering around shared meals and conversations, we create moments for connection — whether it’s a thought-provoking discussion over dinner or a casual picnic with friends. These shared experiences bring people together in meaningful ways, strengthening community bonds and sparking new ideas. Along the way, we explore important topics like food insecurity, ethical sourcing, and social entrepreneurship, turning conversation into action.

Dinner with a Purpose

Featuring leaders like Indré Rockefeller, Founder of The Circularity Project and Co-Founder of Paravel, and Lauren Bush Lauren, Founder of FEED, these gatherings spark conversations on topics like circularity, food equity, and sustainable impact.

Tea Journeys

Our immersive tea and coffee programs explore the ethical sourcing and cultural significance of Grace Farms Tea & Coffee.

Seasonal Picnics

We invite families and friends to enjoy seasonal culinary experiences, fostering connection and appreciation for nature.

Engaging Conversations with Innovative Leaders

Through dynamic discussions and collaborations, we bring together changemakers and thought leaders from diverse fields to explore bold ideas and solutions. These conversations serve as a platform for visionary leaders to share their insights and inspire others to think creatively about the future. By connecting individuals who are shaping industries, we spark innovation and create opportunities for impactful collaboration that drives positive change.

Innovative Leadership

We engage leaders across industries to explore how bold ideas, ethical innovation, and visionary leadership are shaping the future.

Social Entrepreneurship

Through compelling conversations with entrepreneurs and B Corp leaders, we highlight how businesses and individuals can drive meaningful, systemic change.

Women Trailblazers

Our programs share insights from visionary women leaders in industries like food, fashion, athletics, and design that are pushing boundaries and creating impact.

Lifelong Learning & Wellness

We create spaces that invite exploration, learning, and well-being, encouraging individuals of all ages to connect with their surroundings in meaningful ways. Through a variety of programs and experiences, we offer opportunities for personal growth, creativity, and reflection. By fostering an environment where people can engage thoughtfully with the world, we inspire a deeper understanding of themselves, each other, and the world around them.

Creative & Experiential Learning

We offer hands-on workshops and programs invite participants to explore art, design, and nature in new ways.

Wellness & Movement

Yoga and meditation classes led by expert instructors foster holistic well-being, set against the backdrop of Grace Farms' serene landscapes.

School Field Trips

We invite K-12 students to visit Grace Farms and engage in educational experiences focused on sustainability, architecture, and social impact.

Our Impact

By fostering a community that is reflective of all, we are building a pipeline of both thought and action to advance good, together.

1,589+

visitors attended community-related programing last year

1,500+

Members enjoy a diverse range of programs in support of our mission

1,143+

Students, professionals, and visitors participate in Grace Farms tours throughout the year

2024

Our inaugural Dinner with a Purpose featured Lauren Bush Lauren, FEED Founder & Chief Brand Officer, in conversation about female leadership, social entrepreneurship, and innovative ways to address food insecurity. FEED, an impact-driven brand, partnered with Grace Farms to create an ethically and sustainably sourced bag as a part of the evening.

2023

We introduced school field trip programs, welcoming over 600 students and teachers from New England and the tri-state area to learn more about our work.

2022

Spurred by a letter from a New Canaan student, civil rights icon Ruby Bridges spoke with Grace Farms Community Initiative Director Karen Kariuki about enacting change, the interconnectedness of a community, and the importance of hope. The conversation was streamed in local schools and organizations across Fairfield County.

2021

In celebration of National AAPI Heritage Month, Grace Farms Foundation and OCA Fairfield, part of a national organization advocating for AAPI communities, hosted an interdisciplinary conversation exploring how we can engage government, media, corporations, not-for-profits, and educational institutions in support of a more equitable environment for our AAPI neighbors.

2020

Established the Grace Farms Relief Fund for Connecticut in response to the COVID-19 crisis, collaborating with a network of partners to provide PPE to healthcare workers across the state and healthy meals for vulnerable populations in Fairfield County.

2019

Scaled the Space Grants program to include more national and international organizations, including eight organizations with global reach.

2018

Invited retired U.S. Army General Wesley K. Clark, in partnership with the New Canaan Library, to discuss global policy and America's potential for growth and leadership.

2017

Launched our Gifting for Good program to support those in need during the winter season. Together with our community partners, we assemble care pacakges of essential items and distribute them through our not-for-profit partners.

2016

We honored the 15th anniversary of 9/11 with Voices Center for Resilience, one of our not-for-profit partners that works with public and private partners to promote healing and resiliency in the lives of those impacted by traumatic events.

2015

Grace Farms opened on October 9 with a community opening weekend and welcomed 5,000 participants. Two weeks later, we launched our not-for-profit Space Grants program.