A Fairfield County nonprofit is getting national attention for its efforts to make the region more affordable.

The Fairfield County's Community Foundation was featured this week in a national report highlighting organizations working to improve economic mobility. The Norwalk-based foundation was one of just 19 community foundations nationwide included in the study, published by CFLeads, a network backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The report spotlights the foundation's work to address some of Fairfield County's biggest challenges, including housing affordability, education and workforce development.

"Fairfield County has the wealth and tax base to address our most pressing regional issues, but we've lacked public will," President and CEO Mendi Blue-Paca said in the report.

Among the initiatives highlighted are The Upside, a 2025 study examining the economic impact of disparities in housing, education and employment, and a regional forum that brought together business leaders, elected officials and nonprofits to discuss solutions.

The report also points to the foundation's education work, including more than $1.2 million invested in local schools and nonprofits through the Fairfield County Business Collaborative for Education Equity.

While the recognition is national, the issues are local. The foundation's work focuses on challenges many residents know firsthand—from the cost of housing to access to education and career opportunities—and aims to bring businesses, nonprofits and government leaders together around long-term solutions.