CT Philanthropy Digest - April 2017

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Connecticut-Philanthropy-Digest-Header

The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy works with members promoting effective philanthropy throughout the state, and with our colleagues nationally through the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, whose network represents more than 5,500 participating organizations and is the largest network in American philanthropy.

CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoCCP members are proud to promote and support effective philanthropy for the public good. You'll find the CCP member logo throughout this publication.

Click on the logo and you will be directed to the CCP Member Directory which lists additional news about the featured CCP member organization.

FEATURED PHILANTHROPY NEWS >>

Keep Partisan Politics Out of the Charitable Sector >>

Funders to Hear from Thought Leader on Bridging Our Nation’s Racial Divide >>

Ten Receive Connecticut Working Cities Challenge Design Grants >>

CT United Ways Partner With EARN to Bring ALICE® Households a Matched-Savings Program >>

News Integrity Initiative Is Launched to Increase Trust in Journalism >>

UWGNH's Video in Competition for $100K A Community Thrives Prize >>

PHILANTHROPY NEWS LINKS >>
GRANTS and RFPS >>
EVENTS and OTHER OPPORTUNITIES >>
THE POWER OF GOOD PEOPLE >>
JOBS IN PHILANTHROPY >>
ABOUT CCP and the CONNECTICUT PHILANTHROPY DIGEST >>

  Featured Philanthropy News 

Keep Partisan Politics Out of the Charitable Sector

This week, Connecticut Council for Philanthropy, delivered a clear message to political leaders in Congress and shared it with leaders in the state: "Protect the integrity of America's nonprofit sector by maintaining the current law that keeps politics and campaign contributions out of the work of charities."

The letter, signed by Chairperson Judith Meyers on behalf of the board of directors of the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy (CCP), lays out the critical reasons for preserving the law that prohibits nonprofits from endorsing, opposing or contributing to political candidates.

Known as the "Johnson Amendment" because it was proposed 63 years ago by then-Senate Minority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson, the legislation was passed by a Republican-controlled Congress and signed by President Eisenhower. Today it is almost taken for granted that tax-exempt charities stay clear of partisan politics so they can focus on their programs and services that are designed to help everyone in the community.

The letter summarizes the key reasons to oppose proposals to repeal the Johnson Amendment:

  1. It would erode public trust in charitable organizations to solve community problems.

  2. Existing law already provides appropriate ways to influence public policy.

  3. Repeal will siphon contribution dollars away from community services. 

CCP recently signed onto a Community Letter in Support of Nonpartisanship that was signed by 4500+ organizations from around the country, and last month a delegation of CCP members visited Connecticut's lawmakers on Capitol Hill to explain these concerns. 

"We want everyone to understand the need to protect our state's nonprofit organizations from being dragged into partisan politics, especially as it could be at the expense of funding support for critical programs and services we all depend on." -- Frances Padilla, CCP board director and President of Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut

Read more >>    

Funders to Hear from Thought Leader on Bridging Our Nation’s Racial Divide

The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy (CCP) has engaged Heather McGhee, a thought leader on the national stage, to speak at their May 12 Annual Meeting & Philanthropy Awards Luncheon on how all Americans can work to bridge our nation’s racial divide. The event will be held from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Hartford Marriott Downtown. Heather McGhee is president of Demos, a public policy organization working for an America where we all have an equal say in our democracy and an equal chance in our economy. A recognized thought leader on the national stage, McGhee frequently appears on shows such as Meet the Press, Real Time with Bill Maher, and Hardball with Chris Matthews.

Last year, Heather captured the attention of millions of Americans during an appearance on C-SPAN, when she compassionately and honestly answered a white caller’s question as to how he could become less prejudiced. Since then, she and the caller – a North Carolina man named Garry Civitello – have continued their conversation, through pieces in The New York Times “Sunday Review,” the New Yorker, Upworthy, and on Van Jones’s CNN special, “The Messy Truth.” 

Last fall, the CCP Board formed a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee to develop and promote policies and programs for advancing these important values in Connecticut philanthropy. Support for McGhee’s keynote and CCP’s related work is underwritten in part by Newman’s Own Foundation.

"Heather McGhee brings an important voice to Connecticut on the theme advancing equity and the promise of democracy in these challenging times," said Judith Meyers, CCP's Board chair. "Our organization is moving forward to promote and advance this critical work in the Connecticut philanthropic community."

About CCP’s Annual Meeting and Philanthropy Awards Luncheon

CCP’s Annual Meeting and Philanthropy Awards will bring together 250+ representatives of foundations, corporate philanthropy, community foundations and other philanthropic organizations, as well as nonprofit partners and leaders from across the state. The annual event enables funders to network, learn and celebrate the state’s philanthropic sector. Registration is available here >>

Besides the keynote, CCP’s event will also feature:

  • The first public appearance of CCP’s president, Karla Fortunato, who will start her new position on May 1. Read more >>
  • A welcome to three newly elected CCP Board Members: Maryam Elahi, president and CEO of The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut; Kelly Giordano, managing director for Newman's Own Foundation; and Judy Rozie-Battle, senior vice president for the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Read more >>
  • The 2017 Philanthropy Awardees: Sheila Perrin, co-founder and board chair of the Perrin Family Foundation, who will receive the John H. Filer Award for creative leadership in philanthropy; Diane Sierpina, director of justice initiatives for The Tow Foundation, who will receive The Martha S. Newman Award for exemplary service to the philanthropic sector. Read more >>

CCP’s Annual Meeting and Philanthropy Awards is made possible with support from Newman’s Own Foundation, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Travelers, Webster Bank, Blum Shapiro, Connecticut Health Foundation, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, NewAlliance Foundation and Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation.      

Ten Receive Boston Fed’s Working Cities Challenge Design GrantsCCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

The ten Connecticut cities—Bridgeport, Danbury, East Hartford, Hartford, Middletown, New Britain, New Haven, Norwich, Torrington, and Waterbury—were selected by an independent jury to receive $15,000 each as part of Federal Reserve Bank of Boston's Connecticut Working Cities Challenge design grant awards. This grant competition will develop long-term plans for economic resurgence in post-indistrial small cities. Read About the Design Grant Winners >>

Following a six-month design phase, these teams will compete for implementation grants between $300,000 and $500,000 over three years. The cities are focused on increasing job opportunities for various populations (youth, Latino, single-headed households); aligning workforce training with local industry needs; retaining and attracting a younger workforce; and reducing barriers to employment (basic life skills, childcare, and transportation).

Funding for the Working Cities Challenge in Connecticut is provided by the State of Department of Economic & Community Development, The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, Living Cities, NeighborWorks America, Avangrid Foundation, Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation, Eversource and Eversource Foundation, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Stanley Black & Decker, Travelers and the Travelers Foundation, Webster Bank, Liberty Bank Foundation, Bank of America, Barnes Group Foundation, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Charter Communications, Connecticut Community Foundation, The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Ion Bank, Fairfield County's Community Foundation, Hartford HealthCare, Hoffman BMW of Watertown/Hoffman Auto Group, Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, Main Street Community Foundation, New Canaan Community Foundation, Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, Thomaston Savings Bank, United Technologies Corporation, and Valley Community Foundation. CCP members are bolded.

Read Working Cities Challenge Press Coverage >>       

CT United Ways Partner With EARN to Bring ALICE® Households a Matched-Savings ProgramCCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

Connecticut United Ways are partnering with a nonprofit organization called EARN to bring a matched savings program to ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households in the state. "Asset limited," is a defining characteristic of ALICE. Thirty-nine percent of Connecticut households lack the liquid assets necessary to survive a financial shock. This vulnerability means that a medical emergency or unexpected car repair has the potential to cripple an ALICE household. 

The EARN Starter Savings Program is a six-month matched savings program for people who earn up to 80% of the median household income in their region. Participants agree to save at least $20 per month and in return earn $10 in matched savings. At the end of program, they will have built up at least $180 worth of emergency savings. EARN reports that 80% of graduates from the Starter Savings Program continue to save beyond the six months of the program.

"Connecticut United Ways invested more than $1.5 million in financial stability work that helps families in various ways including free tax preparation, managing their household budgets, building assets and repairing credit," said Richard Porth, President and CEO of United Way of Connecticut. "This new partnership with EARN will help us further deliver on our commitment to support ALICE households." Read more >>

Watch the Connecticut United Ways video, "What would you do with 60 dollars?" >>            

News Integrity Initiative Is Launched to Increase Trust in JournalismCCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

A group of tech industry leaders, academic institutions, non-profits and other organizations are jointly launching a $14 million fund to support the News Integrity Initiative, a global consortium focused on helping people make informed judgments about the news they read and share online. The founding funders are Facebook, the Craig Newmark Philanthropic Fund, the Ford Foundation, the Democracy Fund, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Tow Foundation, AppNexus, Mozilla and Betaworks. The News Integrity Initiative will be run as an independent project by the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism under the auspices of the School’s Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism.

“By locating the News Integrity Initiative at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, our faculty and students will have a unique opportunity to engage with researchers and technologists, attend events and conduct experiments aimed at building greater trust in our profession,” says CUNY J-School Dean Sarah Bartlett. “It’s hard to think of a more important role for a public graduate school of journalism.” Read more >>        

UWGNH's Video in Competition for $100K A Community Thrives PrizeCCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

United Way of Greater New Haven has entered a video contest sponsored by A Community Thrives (ACT), part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Voting and sharing takes place every day through May 12. "Winning the $100,000 prize would be tremendous for the children and families United Way of Greater New Haven serves, and the national exposure will put a deserving positive spotlight on the community." VOTE NOW at uwgnh.org/vote and contribute to United Way without spending a dime. A click a day is all it takes, and together we can make a difference. VOTE TODAY >> 

    

  Philanthropy News Links
CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoCCP Member News Links

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation

Cigna Foundation

Citizens Bank

Comcast

The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

Community Foundation of Greater New Britain

Connecticut Community Foundation

Connecticut Health Foundation

Eversource Energy

Fairfield County's Community Foundation

Farmington Bank Community Foundation

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Lincoln Financial

Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation

People's United Community Foundation

The Tow Foundation

United Way of Coastal Fairfield County

Non-Member News Links

Brackets For Good 2017

Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Foundation

Chelsea Groton Foundation

Connecticut State Office of the Arts

First County Bank

Guilford Savings Bank

TD Bank

United Health Foundation

Voya Foundation

  Grants and RFPs
Member Grants and RFPsCCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund

Perrin Family Foundation

The Fund for Greater Hartford

Connecticut Community Foundation

The Donaghue Foundation

Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven

George H. C. Ensworth Memorial Fund

J. Walton Bissell Foundation

The Guilford Foundation

Everyday Democracy

Branford Community Foundation

Main Street Community Foundation

  Events and Other Opportunities

Farmington Bank Community Concert Series >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

APRIL 28 - SEPTEMBER 18: 22 Concert Dates in Connecticut and Massachusetts
The sixth annual Farmington Bank Community Concert Series features 20 free performances by Simply Swing, the popular, 10-piece swing orchestra based in Connecticut. This year’s series includes concerts at venues including Blueback Square in West Hartford, Riverfront Recapture’s scenic locations on the banks of the Connecticut River in Hartford and East Hartford, as well as performances in East Longmeadow and West Springfield, Massachusetts. View all concert dates, times and locations >>

The Great Give >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

MAY 2-3: The Great Give
This series of workshops is specifically designed to help nonprofits maximize their success in The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's The Great Give, May 2-3, 2017. The Great Give® 2017 is the eighth major community-wide giving event on giveGreater.org® taking place for 36 hours starting 8:00 am on May 2 and ending 8:00 pm on May 3. Between 2010-2016, giveGreater.org® has distributed more than $5 million in grants to nonprofits as a result of direct donations through seven giving events.

The Inspiration Awards >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

MAY 3: 3:30 pm: The Bridgeport Holiday Inn, Bridgeport
The Bridgeport Public Education Fund and Fairfield County's Community Foundation present the Inspiration Awards for Excellence in Education which recognizes ten outstanding educators for their exceptional teaching strategies.

Thriving Communities Public Conversations >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

MAY 17: 4:00 pm: Kelly Middle School, New London
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut's second Thriving Communities Conversation, will tackle youth empowerment. Two more conversations being planned for the fall will focus on women’s rights and environmental preservation. Read a review of the first conversation >>

Apply for a Thriving Communities Conversations Mini-Grant >>

Nonprofit Advisory Institute >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

MAY 17: 9:00 - 11:00 am, Waterbury
Connecticut Community Foundation is hosting an Executive Director Roundtable: The Importance of Advocacy, with Jeff Shaw, public policy director for The Alliance, the state’s largest nonprofit advocacy group, will lead a discussion on the importance of advocacy and the most effective ways in which nonprofits can advocate for their organizations. Recommended for executive directors, the workshop is free but space is limited!

Sustainable Seafood Soiree >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

MAY 24: 5:30 pm: Saybrook Point Inn, Saybrook
A key component of The Rockfall Foundation's Soiree is to raise awareness of local, responsible shellfish farming by featuring a fresh oyster raw bar supplied by our partners with the Noank Aquaculture Cooperative. Members of the Cooperative are local shellfish farmers who focus on growing some of the finest oysters in the Northeast. Proceeds will support environmental education programs of the Rockfall Foundation, including the “Greening Kids” grant program. Nurturing future environmental stewards is a priority area for the Rockfall Foundation.

Trauma and the Brain: The Body Remembers >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

MAY 25: 6:00 - 8:00 pm: The Interlaken, Lakeville
The Foundation for Community Health's annual medical education lecture for health and science professionals will feature a presentation by Dr. Bessel A. van der Kolk, author of the New York Times best-seller: "The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain and Body in the Healing of Trauma." RSVP by May 19 or ASAP as seating is limited >>

Workforce of the Future Initiative >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

JUNE 8: 5:30 - 7:30 pm: Hospital of Central Connecticut, New Britain
The public is invited to attend the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain's Catalyst Fund meeting. Experts in the workforce topic will make a presentation and Fund members will launch the process of crafting a Request for Proposal, which will be made available to programs and agencies interested in applying for the grant. Two more meetings will follow in September and November, with the process resulting in an end-of-year, $10,000 award. A light supper and refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to Kimberly Duncan by June 1 at kduncan@cfgnb.org or 860-229-6018, ext. 300.

Power of the Purse >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

JUNE 15: 11:00 am - 1:30 pm: Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford
United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut's Women's Leadership Council presents their sixth annual Power of the Purse Luncheon and Silent Auction. The event raises awareness and funding for the family financial stability initiative, which provides lower-income residents living in Hartford with onsite financial coaching and education, including basic banking, budgeting and saving skills, free tax preparation, and access to matching funds to help participants reach their personal financial goals.      

  The power of good people

CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoJim Williamson, who as president of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain for the past 12-plus years led the organization through a transformative period of growth, change and influence, has announced his retirement. The Strategy Group, LLC of Darien has been retained to lead the executive transition process. A formal date of retirement will be determined pending results of the search for his successor. Williamson joined the Foundation in September, 2004 as the Foundation’s second full-time chief executive. During his tenure at the Community Foundation and under the board’s direction, Williamson spearheaded the Foundation’s transition from grantmaker to community leader, building partnerships with other organizations and stakeholders to help identify community challenges and engage in strategies to address them. He successfully managed the Foundation’s choice to adopt early childhood development as a priority cause of the Foundation, managing establishment of the First Years First early childhood development initiative and fund which remains a focus of the Foundation today. Read more >>

Read Change, Growth and Impact: Jim Williamson Reflects on Nearly 13 Years at the Helm of the Community Foundation >>

CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoDamaris Garcia has been appointed to a two‐year term on the Liberty Bank Foundation Board of Directors. Garcia joined Liberty Bank as vice president and manager of its College Street, New Haven office in 2013. She previously spent 15 years at Citizens Bank, most recently as manager of its New Haven office, which was the largest in the state. “I am very honored to be able to serve as the newest board member of our Liberty Bank Foundation,” said Ms. Garcia.” I look forward to furthering the vision of our foundation for the next two years, as we continue to serve our local communities through our charitable giving.” Read more >>

 

CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoChildren's Fund of Connecticut and Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut welcome Andrew Agwunobi to their board of directors. Dr. Agwunobi is the CEO and executive vice president for Health Affairs at UConn Health. Read his full bio >>

 

 

 

 

 

CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoThe Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's Progreso Latino Fund has featured Angel Fernandez-Chavero in their Celebrating Latino Leaders series. Currently acting interim executive director for the City of New Haven's Commission on Equal Opportunities, City of New Haven, Angel has also worked as a senior philanthropic officer at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, where he also served as the staff liaison to the Progreso Latino Fund. Read more @ The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven >>

CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoNewman’s Own has announced that Dr. Lynn Pasquerella has been appointed to the Newman’s Own Advisory Board. Pasquerella is currently President of the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U), where she has served since July 2016. The Newman’s Own Advisory Board provides high level advice and assistance on strategic matters to both the Newman’s Own Foundation and the food company, Newman’s Own, Inc.

“We are delighted to have Dr. Pasquerella join the Newman’s Own Advisory Board. She will bring significant experience and sensitivity to the Newman’s Own commitment of contributing 100% of its profits to charitable organizations, a commitment which celebrates its 35th anniversary and surpasses $500 million in total giving in 2017,” said Bob Forrester, President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation and Executive Chairman of Newman’s Own, Inc. “Lynn is a distinguished scholar and teacher, whose lifelong commitment to bringing empowerment and opportunity to the least advantaged in our world will make her a valued colleague and advisor.”

Recently Pasquerella spearheaded a program through the AAC&U, launching The Centers for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation, which will have ten campus locations around the country. The Centers will establish goals, share ideas and strategies, and identify specific action steps for pursuing racial healing and systems change. Read more >>

CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoDolores Raimo has been named to the executive committee of the Women & Girls Fund of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation. The Fund annually awards grants that serve women and girls in the development of economic self-sufficiency by means of education, financial literacy and social services. For 30 years, Ms. Raimo worked as both an Early Childhood Teacher and a Learning Disabilities Specialist. Read more >>

 

CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoThe national funder group, The Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities has announced the appointment of Michelle Knapik, president of the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, to the network’s board of directors. “Michelle has been a highly engaged member of the Funders’ Network for years,” said Ben Starrett, president and CEO of the Funders’ Network. “We are so pleased that she has joined our board of directors where she will play an even more substantial role in guiding the network and its commitment to our core values of equity and inclusion.” The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation seeks and funds innovative projects that advance solutions to basic and enduring problems, with a focus on learning disabilities, arts and the environment.       

  About CCP and Connecticut Philanthropy Digest

Connecticut Council for Philanthropy (CCP) is an association of grantmakers committed to promoting and supporting effective philanthropy for the public good.
     CCP's members are foundations (private, corporate, community), business and corporate giving programs, bank trusts, donor-advised funds, individual philanthropists, and those serving the philanthropic sector. CCP members granted more than $720 million in 2013 from assets of more than $6.3 billion.
     The Connecticut Philanthropy Digest (Digest) is brought to you by the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy. Edited by Laurie Allen, Director of Communications. The Digest is a summary of recent activities by Connecticut foundations and grantmakers, and is compiled and distributed monthly to media outlets, local legislators and grantmakers to raise the profile of philanthropy throughout Connecticut. News about Connecticut funders may be submitted to CCP for consideration. 2017 Publication Dates: May 22; June 19; July 24; August 21; September 18; October 23; November 20; December 18. Submission Deadlines: Close of business one week before the publication date.