DARIEN –André and Michelle Swanston, Ridgefield philanthropists and co-owners of the Connecticut United FC soccer team and Swanston Organization, are platinum sponsors of Person to Person’s gala benefit.
The April 4 “Rising Together” fundraiser at Serafresca at the Italian Center at 1620 Newfield Ave. in Stamford will bring together business leaders, community advocates, and changemakers to support P2P’s critical work. It will include a special performance by Grammy-nominated artist Chanté Moore; a tribute to honoree Thasunda Brown Duckett, president and CEO of TIAA; and a program hosted by CBS NY anchor Cindy Hsu.
“We are thrilled to welcome André and Michelle as Platinum Sponsors of Rising Together,” said Nancy Coughlin, CEO of Person to Person. “Their dedication to innovation, community investment, and youth empowerment reflects the very spirit of this event.”
The Swanstons, who donated $25,000 for the sponsorship, are co-chairs of Swanston Philanthropy. They are committed to advancing economic opportunity, youth development, and community empowerment, P2P said in a press release. Those are values that align with P2P’s mission of providing essential resources to families in Fairfield County.
The couple are entrepreneurs and philanthropists who led Stamford-based Tru Optik, a pioneering data and analytics company in streaming media that was acquired by TransUnion for over $100 million. They now operate Swanston Family Ventures, an early stage venture fund dedicated to empowering minority and female entrepreneurs.
“André and I are honored to support Person to Person and the life-changing work they do,” said Michelle Swanston. “Strong communities are built on access to opportunity, and we are proud to stand alongside P2P in creating a lasting impact.”
Their commitment extends to CT United Academy, the only free youth soccer academy in Connecticut with a pro player pathway. By eliminating financial barriers, the academy ensures that top young talent has access to elite training. In that vein, André’s Connecticut Sports Group has led the effort to build a soccer stadium in Bridgeport for a Major League Soccer NEXT Pro expansion team.
P2P, which serves more than 28,000 residents Fairfield County, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families and individuals as they move toward stability with healthy food, clothing, housing assistance, and a path to economic opportunity.
