By Sentinel Staff
The New Canaan High School Scholarship Foundation has launched its annual Giving Week campaign, seeking to raise $50,000 through March 28, with donations matched dollar for dollar by seven designated “RAMbassador” partners.
The structure is direct. Gifts made during the week are matched up to each partner’s stated limit. The appeal is immediate. Only a limited number of days remain for contributions to qualify for matching.
The effort follows a year of expanded awards. In 2025, the foundation distributed $250,000 in scholarships to 55 New Canaan High School graduates, an average of $4,545 per student. The year prior, $180,000 was awarded to 54 graduates and post-graduates.
The foundation’s aim is to increase both totals in 2026.
The organization was established in 1967 to provide financial assistance to New Canaan High School students continuing their education. Its work has been sustained by local contributions, organized fundraising, and a network of donors who support both annual giving and long-term endowed scholarships.
Fundraising has taken multiple forms. The foundation’s “Color Drop” event has become a central feature, with thousands of golf balls dropped over Waveny Park as part of a community-wide effort to generate scholarship funding. Additional support has come from local organizations and targeted campaigns, including matching initiatives designed to increase participation and accelerate giving.
Giving Week reflects that model. It compresses fundraising into a defined period and pairs it with matching commitments to expand impact.
The foundation states that all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It operates as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Federal Tax ID 23-7102732, and is based at 11 Farm Road in New Canaan.
As the campaign enters its final days, the outcome will determine the scale of scholarships awarded to the next graduating class.
