PRESS RELEASE
Horizons at New Canaan Country School (NCCS) participated in Horizons Giving Day, with an advance giving period that began on May 1 and culminated on Wednesday, May 15. This year’s fundraiser marked the 60th anniversary of the organization, which launched its first program in 1964 at New Canaan Country School. Today, it serves over 400 students annually with academic and enrichment programming.
The Bauer Family Foundation inspired donations with a $30,000 matching gift challenge, matching the first $30,000 in donations dollar for dollar. All funds raised will support Horizons’ year-round academic and enrichment initiatives, aimed at helping students reach their full potential.
Horizons at NCCS provides a six-week summer program for students in kindergarten through ninth grade, along with school-year programming, including Saturday sessions for grades kindergarten through ten, a high school program, and family programming. Executive Director Nancy von Euler stated, “Horizons is a supportive, connected community that exposes students to experiences that fuel their dreams for the future and then provides them with the support to realize those dreams.”
Horizons prioritizes students in the admissions process who experience academic, social-emotional, and financial challenges. When Horizons at NCCS makes a commitment to a student, it is a long-term one, with many students joining the program in kindergarten and remaining engaged through high school graduation and even into early college. This model has proven successful, as demonstrated by the outstanding high school and college outcomes. The three-year average high school graduation rate is 100%, and the three-year average college enrollment rate is 94%.
Horizons at NCCS, a non-profit organization, must raise its entire budget annually to cover the cost of its tuition-free, year-round programming. Proceeds from this year’s Horizons Giving Day will support year-round programming, including expenses for busing, tutoring, academic coaching, college tours, and more.
Donations were accepted from May 1 to May 15 via www.HorizonsGivingDay.org/organizations/horizonsnccs.
Founded in 1964, Horizons at NCCS is the first in a nationwide network of programs successfully closing the opportunity gap experienced by under-resourced students. Horizons at NCCS builds deep and lasting relationships with the 400 K-12 Norwalk and Stamford students it serves. The summer program and year-round academic and enrichment programming help students imagine and achieve a brighter future. For more information, visit www.horizonskids.org.
