The Ritter Family Foundation was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and began supporting local health and education nonprofits in Connecticut and elsewhere, both in the US and globally.

The Ritter Family Foundation was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and began supporting local health and education nonprofits in Connecticut and elsewhere, both in the US and globally.

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Inspired by Dr. Geoffrey Canada’s work with the Harlem Children’s Zone and by the aspirations and commitment of like-minded community leaders in Norwalk, CT, the Ritter Family Foundation seeded the Norwalk Children’s Foundation (NCF). For nearly a decade, NCF invested more than $3 million in various programs in the Norwalk community. Having impacted the lives of thousands of children and their parents, NCF played a key partnership role in larger initiatives that provided a foundation for the community’s future.

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NCF's Board of Directors voted to assume a "hibernation" role in order to support the evolution of Norwalk ACTS, a citywide group of community leaders and organizations employing the Collective Impact methodology to improve outcomes for children. Having provided leadership and financial resources for NCF for many years, and in seeing tremendous opportunity to build and leverage support to achieve structural change, the Ritter Family Foundation turned its efforts towards ensuring Norwalk ACTS would be successful in its mission.

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The Ritter Family Foundation’s Board of Directors made the decision to double-down on its operations and scope, and to expand and align its investments in order to become a larger and more strategic grant-making foundation. RFF became a staffed organization and hired Kate Ritter to the lead the foundation in this evolution as Executive Director.

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An Important Update: February 2026

Since its founding in 1996, the Ritter Family Foundation has been guided by a mission to improve the lives and futures of children and families in under-resourced communities. For nearly three decades, that mission has taken shape through the care, advocacy, and services provided by organizations working directly with children and families—supporting their health, education, stability, and opportunity.

Over time, the Foundation aligned its resources more closely with this place-based work—responding to community-identified priorities, increasing grantmaking during moments of heightened need, and trusting partners to lead. Beginning in 2018, the Foundation intentionally and significantly increased its level of giving, guided by values that emphasize responsiveness, equity, and the belief that resources are most effective when placed in the hands of those doing the work.

After thoughtful consideration, the Ritter Family Foundation will conclude its work through a values-based spend-down over the next three years. This approach reflects a commitment to having impact now—rather than preserving assets in perpetuity—and to fully deploying resources in service of community priorities during a period of significant need.

The Foundation’s remaining funds will be granted out in full, with final grants made in December 2028 and operations concluding thereafter. Between now and then, the Foundation will continue to operate as it has in recent years—grounded in partnership, transparency, learning, and the same core values that have shaped our work. Our role during this period is one of stewardship: continuing to support work led by our grantees and remaining accountable to the relationships and trust built over time. It is our intention to honor that trust—and the responsibility that comes with it—through a thoughtful and responsible conclusion of the Foundation’s role.

We are deeply grateful for the partnership, trust, and accountability that have shaped this work together. What endures—now and beyond the Foundation’s lifespan—is the impact of this work on children and families across our communities. Thousands of children have been supported, families strengthened, and opportunities expanded through programs and services led by our grantee partners. That progress belongs to the organizations, practitioners, and community members who show up every day for children and families and who will continue to do so long after the Foundation’s final grant is made.