End of Year Giving

Donate

At Common Ground, we believe in the power of connection — between people, between community and the land, and between education and action. Every day, that connection comes alive: high school students stepping into environmental leadership, families enjoying the fresh food from our urban farm, children exploring nature in our community programs, and neighbors gathering to build a more just and sustainable future.

When we nurture these bonds, our whole community grows stronger.

Yet, like many educational institutions and community nonprofits, Common Ground continues to navigate significant public funding cuts and rising costs. This year, we are challenged to be more resilient and creative than ever — not only to protect our core programs, but to expand access to the vital resources our neighbors rely on.

From Our Campus to Our Community: Sustaining Common Ground Together — Everything we do at Common Ground is an interconnected ecosystem. When you support one part of our mission, you power the whole vision:

  • Our Classrooms: Sustaining Common Ground High School and closing the per-pupil funding gap.

  • Our Youth Leaders: Empowering the Green Jobs Corps with paid environmental training.

  • Our Neighborhoods: Expanding Children's (and Community) Programs such as NatureYear, Kids Unplugged, Summer Camp, SchoolYards, field trips, Open Farm Days, and much more.

  • Our Land: Growing fresh food on the Urban Farm and preparing to relaunch our Farm Stands and maybe even Mobile Market.

Whether you make a one-time gift or step up as a monthly sustainer, your generosity keeps our doors open, our soil rich, and our young leaders empowered.

Together, we can ensure Common Ground continues to thrive — growing food, growing leaders, and growing community.

Questions? One of our staff members from Common Ground’s Development Team would be happy to help. Please reach out at developmentteam@nhep.com.

“Because when we invest in Common Ground, we’re investing in our neighbors. We’re investing in opportunity and ultimately, we’re investing in the kind of community we all want to live in..”

- Common Ground Parent and Board Member

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes! Common Ground is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (under our legal entity, the New Haven Ecology Project). Your donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. After you make a donation, we will send you an official tax receipt for your records.

  • Your donation stays right here in Greater New Haven to fuel environmental education, sustainable agriculture, and youth leadership. Unless you specify a particular program, your gift goes into our general operating fund. This allows us to put your money to work immediately where it is needed most—whether that means feeding our farm animals, providing scholarships for children’s camp, or purchasing supplies for our public charter high school students.

  • Yes, we often accept in-kind donations of goods and services that directly support our farm, school, and community programs! Common items on our wish list include garden tools, educational supplies, and outdoor gear. Because our storage space and project needs change throughout the year, please contact our Development team at developmentteam@nhep.com before dropping items off so we can make sure your generous gift can be put to good use.

  • Absolutely. Making a tribute gift is a beautiful way to honor a loved one, celebrate a milestone, or remember someone who cared deeply about nature, education, and community. When you make a gift in honor or memory of someone, you can provide us with the name and address of their family, and we will gladly send them a beautiful note acknowledging your thoughtful gift (without disclosing the donation amount).