We envision a town that reflects Norfolk’s rich cultural and natural heritage—a place where nature, art, music, and literature shape who we are and what we offer old-timers, newcomers, visitors and young families seeking a home with a bright future.

We believe that achieving this vision takes a combination of planning and the ability to nimbly respond to the needs of the community. It’s that combination of preparedness with a certain serendipity that characterizes the Norfolk Foundation. It’s how we’ve succeeded in the past and how we’ll continue to meet our ambitious goals going forward.

With the community’s participation, we’ll continue to generate new ideas and opportunities while growing with intention so we can support partners, secure grants, attract suitable board members and keep residents and visitors informed and engaged.  

OUR GOALS

As a private operating foundation, the Norfolk Foundation engages in programmatic activities that support our mission.  The Norfolk Foundation is prioritizing several goals we are confident we will achieve by 2025:

A Thriving Downtown

As the owner of several buildings in downtown Norfolk, the Foundation will contribute to the vitality of the town’s center by…

• making capital improvements to our properties including the Arcanum, the Hub and Infinity Hall;

• attracting stable, like-minded tenants; and

• working with the town government and other nonprofits to connect and maximize the town’s cultural and natural offerings. 

Cultural Events

Building on the successful Haystack Book Festival, which draws authors and visitors from the immediate and surrounding areas, we’ll expand our programming in literature and the arts, including our partnership with the Yale School of Music and Art.

Connecting the Organizations and Places that Define Norfolk

We’ll ensure The Hub, a communal workspace for Norfolk residents and a meeting space for local nonprofits, operates at full capacity by finding new ways for it to serve our community.  We’ll also …

• Integrate the Ellen Battell Stoeckel Estate with downtown Norfolk and the Arcanum to City Meadow through structural changes to the buildings, and better signs and walkways.

• Finalize our resource map, which features trails and other Norfolk resources, and make it accessible via phone app;

• Help nonprofit partners and local government groups improve communication, build capacity and spark new ideas.