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A Message From Liza
One of the things I appreciate most about Guilford is how many people give their time and talents to make our community better. Few exemplify that spirit more than Shirley Girioni, whose decades of dedication to historic preservation, conservation, beautification, and community service have left a remarkable mark on our town.
We are excited to partner with the Guilford Preservation Alliance and local business owner Erica Arizigan to celebrate Shirley and her many contributions this Saturday morning at the Welcome Center at 32 Church Street. Please join us in recognizing someone who has given so much to Guilford.
Our Youth Advisory Group is also off to a great start, with more than 20 students participating and preparations underway for their annual Luminaria fundraiser beginning in mid-November.
There is plenty of other news to share as well. GuilfordVolunteers.org continues to grow, our partnership with Dudley Farm is in the spotlight, and we're encouraging everyone who hasn't yet had a chance to explore our 2025 Impact Report to take a look.
It's wonderful to see so many people, from longtime leaders to our youngest philanthropists, finding ways to make a difference in our community. Thank you for being part of it.
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Celebrating Shirley Girioni: A Lifetime of Impact
Few people have made as lasting an impact on Guilford as Shirley Girioni. For more than five decades, she has championed historic preservation, thoughtful town planning, conservation, beautification, and community service, helping shape the town we know and love today.
Among her many accomplishments, Shirley helped lead efforts to plant 550 trees throughout Guilford's historic borough and along Route 1, add 280 historic resources to the town's inventory, and secure scenic highway designations for Routes 77 and 146. She served 10 years in town planning, helped raise $115,000 for Guilford's Visitor Information Center, and has volunteered with the Guilford Garden Club for 57 years!
To honor Shirley's extraordinary service, the Guilford Preservation Alliance (GPA) and TGF established the Shirley Girioni Fund, providing flexible charitable resources to support Guilford for generations to come.
Saturday (October 24), GPA and TGF will celebrate Shirley by rededicating the Welcome Center in her honor. Local business owner Erica Azarigian is also participating by donating a portion of the day's sales at Ella, Where She Shops, and Whitfield & Co. to the Shirley Girioni Fund.
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GuilfordVolunteers.org Continues to Grow
Since launching GuilfordVolunteers.org, local nonprofits and community members have responded enthusiastically and are eager to get involved. The volunteer matching platform now features 75 volunteer roles across 43 organizations, with new opportunities being added regularly. Whether you love animals, enjoy working with children, have a passion for the arts, or want to put your professional skills to good use, there's something for everyone.
One of the site's most useful features is its easy-to-use search tool, which helps you find opportunities that fit your interests and availability. Search by nonprofit focus area, explore ongoing volunteer roles or one-time events, or use keywords to find something specific. You might discover an opportunity to work with dogs, mentor a young person, help maintain a historic property, or manage social media for a local nonprofit.
And a reminder to our nonprofit partners, reach out to Pam Miller if you would like your organization to connect with volunteers on this incredible platform!
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Celebrating a Longstanding Partnership with Dudley Farm
Dudley Farm was the perfect setting for The Guilford Foundation’s recent Donor Appreciation Event, bringing together donors and community partners in the historic Munger Barn. Guests enjoyed tours led by Museum Director Kaitlyn Goodwin, offering a firsthand look at this Guilford treasure and the many ways it continues to engage visitors of all ages.
During her remarks, Goodwin reflected on TGF’s partnership with the Farm, which dates back more than 30 years. In 1995, a $10,000 TGF grant supported an innovative Guilford High School program organized by Jim Powers and Tom Leddy that brought students to the Farm to help restore its buildings and learn about local history. In a wonderful full-circle moment, TGF donor Chris Conti, who participated in the program as a student, was among the evening’s guests and shared his memories of the experience.
That partnership continues today. Most recently, TGF awarded nearly $5,000 to help launch Dudley Farm’s first summer camp, which welcomed 63 children for hands-on learning experiences.
From its historic buildings and Quinnipiac Dawnland Museum to its farmers’ market, educational programs, and community events, Dudley Farm continues to evolve while preserving an important piece of Guilford’s history.
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2025 Impact Report Highlights a Remarkable Year
If you haven't had a chance to explore our 2025 Impact Report, we encourage you to take a look! It's filled with stories, milestones, and reflections from our first 50 years, including the people and organizations that helped shape The Guilford Foundation and the many ways our work has enriched our community. You'll also find a complete listing of our grants, sponsorships, scholarships, donors, and financial highlights.
2025 was an extraordinary year for TGF. Our endowment surpassed $9 million; we established nine new charitable funds, received a record 59 Community Impact Grant applications, and invested more than $420,000 in our community.
We also celebrated our new permanent home at 44 Boston Street and exceeded our 50th Anniversary fundraising goal, raising more than $960,000. Whether you're interested in our history, the organizations we support, or how we're investing in Guilford's future, take a look.
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Shirley Girioni Celebration
GPA & TGF will honor Shirley Girioni at the Welcome Center Rededication on Saturday, Oct. 24th from 11 am to 12 pm at 32 Church Street. Expect brief remarks followed by a short reception. All are welcome.
To recognize Shirley, Erica Azarigian will donate 10% of the day's sales at Ella, Where She Shops and Whitfield & Co. to the Shirley Girioni Fund with TGF. It's an unrestricted fund that will give back to Guilford's for generations to come.
Learn More
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Veterans Day Lasagna Dinner
On Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, Guilford Interfaith Volunteers will host its 25th Annual Ron DeMartino Patriotic Lasagna Dinner at the Community Center. Take-out is available from 3–4:30 p.m., and the sit-down dinner is from 5–6:30 p.m.
The event honors local veterans with a complimentary meal, celebrates Ron DeMartino's legacy, and raises important funds for Guilford Meals on Wheels. We're proud to sponsor this event through our partnership with Ascend Bank.
Learn More
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Want to learn more about TGF's community impact?
Take a look at our most recent Impact Report!
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