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CT Foundation Has Impact on NY Juvenile Justice
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Emily Tow Jackson, executive director and president of the Tow Foundation, recently released a statement on Governor Cuomo's 2015 Opportunity Agenda: Raise the Age Commission.
Through her successful work with the Tow Foundation on youth justice in Connecticut, Ms. Jackson was appointed to the newly created New York State Commission on Youth, Public Safety and Justice in April 2014.
“By assembling the Commission and calling for our recommendations, Governor Cuomo has placed New York State on the path to once again being a leader in youth justice policy,” said Ms. Jackson. “The Commission’s recommendations are focused on redirecting the state’s resources to a system based on sound research that improves outcomes for youth and protects the most vulnerable among us, while making our communities safer.”
“The Tow Foundation’s youth justice investments and the work of our partners in Connecticut have evidenced that although reform is challenging, it can result in positive outcomes for youth and communities.”
Read Emily Tow Jackon’s full statement >>
For more information: Nadia Allia, Tow Foundation, 203-594-4120, nadia@towfoundation.org. |
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New Tool Designed to Help Nonprofits with Overhead |
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The National Council of Nonprofits has published a tool, Know Your Rights … and How to Protect Them, to help nonprofits at all levels—local, state, and federal—be paid for their indirect costs, or overhead and administrative expenses, when their work is funded in whole or in part with federal money. They are also collecting feedback from nonprofits about their experiences with the new reimbursement rules, the federal Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Uniform Guidance.
OMB, which is responsible for overseeing how federal funds are spent, is ordering governments to reimburse nonprofits for more of their direct costs, plus their indirect costs when their work is funded in whole or in part with federal money.
The new rules state that in general, nonprofits should receive at least 10 percent of the direct costs of their grant or contract to pay indirect costs. Organizations that follow new cost-allocation rules in the Uniform Guidance can negotiate to receive even more than 10 percent.
National Council of Nonprofits has called all stakeholders, state and local governments, charitable nonprofits, and foundation leaders and program officers, to help turn the promise of the OMB Uniform Guidance into reality.
Foundations can help build awareness by alerting their grantees of the new federal regulations and the need to protect their rights. Grantmakers can help nonprofits pay for accounting practices and systems and other efforts to support advocacy activities to ensure state and local government comply with the new rules.
Read National Council of Nonprofits' full article >> |
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Report Sheds Light on the Impact of Immigration in Greater New Haven |
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As an important step in its effort to enhance the civic and economic participation of immigrants in Greater New Haven, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven recently released a new report, Understanding the Impact of Immigration in Greater New Haven. The report provides a snapshot of the immigrants living in Greater New Haven and Connecticut, the impact of local population change and diversity, and the community and economic impact. It intends to help the general public, policymakers and local leaders understand the impact of immigration in the region to inform discussions and community action. “It is clear from the report that the Greater New Haven community is enhanced in many ways by immigration,” says William W. Ginsberg, president & CEO of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. “The data demonstrate that our rapidly growing foreign-born population is successfully building productive and contributing lives here – by working, by creating small businesses that build wealth, by owning homes, by educating their children, and by contributing to the diversity and cultural richness of this community. According to the report, approximately 1 in 8 residents of Greater New Haven is foreign-born, originating in countries in all world regions. About half of all immigrants are naturalized US citizens; the other half is made up of legal permanent residents, legal temporary residents or undocumented immigrants. For more information: Tricia Caldwell, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, 203-777-2386, tcaldwell@cfgnh.org. |
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Two CT School Districts Part of $16M Award for Student-Centered Learning
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Nellie Mae Education Foundation is furthering the implementation of its District Level Systems Change initiative by renewing grants to five New England school districts, including Hartford and Meriden in Connecticut. All of the grantees are engaged in transforming their school systems to support and sustain student-centered environments. The school districts in Hartford and Meriden are entering Phase I of the Initiative.
“The steps these districts have already taken in the early phases of these grants to reshape their systems to ensure an effective student-centered approach are truly impressive,” said Nicholas C. Donohue, president and CEO of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation. “Student-centered learning prepares students to master both the academic knowledge and the critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills they need to thrive beyond high school.
In Hartford Public Schools the grant will support their High School Centers of Innovation which will serve as laboratories to cultivate innovation and collaboration and provide a vehicle for continuous improvements and to support and sustain student-centered learning.
In Meriden Public Schools the grant will support the district’s move towards anytime/anywhere learning, its implementation of competency-based and blended learning across the district and wide-scale personalized learning experiences.
For more information: Shaun Adamec, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, 781-348-4204, sadamec@nmefoundation.org. |
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Annual Survey Seeks to Strengthen Nonprofit Sector |
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Online Diploma Pilot to Aid Hartford Students as Smarter Alternative to GED |
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T he Nutmeg Foundation awarded $20,000 to the Hartford Public Library to fund a new Online High School Diploma pilot project. The pilot will provide online high school classes to a cohort of ten Hartford students as a more flexible and accessible alternative to the traditional GED test. The Online High School Diploma offers several advantages over a traditional GED. Students who need to work at their own pace can devote their required time to each subject, and schedule the course according to their availability. This online diploma program will also offer concentration programs in healthcare, information technology, carpentry, electrical, and plumbing. These concentrations will better prepare students for entering the workforce, as well as further their education in a college program. The project will build on the Library’s existing volunteer tutor mentoring program by assigning tutors to work with students on topics, like math, where the presence of a teacher or guide is often required. For more information: Rachel Gary, Hartford Public Library, 860-695-6352, rgary@hplct.org. |
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Fresh, Healthy Food for Families A Focus for Foundation's New Plan |
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Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation’s new strategic plan for 2015 – 2018 focuses on fresh, healthy food for families and communities. The Foundation board recently voted to expand their current focus on preventing childhood obesity to help families eat fresher. "Our eight-year Growing up Healthy initiative taught us what works to help children eat better and move more, said Eric Shultz, president and Ceo of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Foundation board chair. "We are now taking an opportunity to build on what we have learned by helping families and communities be healthier—starting with what they eat." The expanded initiative, the Harvard Pilgrim Healthy Food Fund, will support nonprofit organizations throughout Harvard Pilgrim’s service areas that make fresh (and often local) food easier to find and buy. From farmer’s markets to food pantries, community gardens, “food forests” and cooking classes, there are a growing number of ways to help low- and middle-income families eat better. For more information: Kimberly Moore, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, 617-509-6038, kimberly_moore@harvardpilgrim.org. |
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Foundation's Anniversary Funding Helps Produce the Great Connecticut Caper |
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Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the NewAlliance Foundation awarded ten organizations with a $10,000 grant per organization. The Foundation received 194 proposals for their 10 for 10: 10th Anniversary Grant Opportunity program, representing every corner of their service area. CT Humanities, one of the awardees, has used the grant to pilot a new online project— The Great Connecticut Caper—to connect twelve writers and twelve illustrators based in Connecticut to young audiences. The Great Connecticut Caper is a serialized online mystery storybook and audio that children and their families and teachers can journey through together using developed curriculum guides, workshops, and online resources. Launched in January, with a new chapter appearing ever two weeks, it will be published through June 2015. Connecticut is the first to publish a state-specific version of an original Library of Congress project, The Exquisite Corpse Adventure. “Connecticut has a rich cultural heritage along with significant literary and artistic talent,” says Amanda Roy, program officer for Connecticut Humanities in an article by Middletown Press. “We want to share all of this with the young people of Connecticut. So what better way than a mystery story?” Register to unravel the mystery of The Great Connecticut Caper! >> |
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COMMUNITY FOUNDATION NEWS |
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Hartford Public Schools Receive Over $3 Million to Supports For Young English Learners and Their Families |
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Approximately 2,000 of Hartford’s young English language learners and their families will receive new resources and assistance to positively impact their literacy and academic outcomes thanks to the approval of a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) and a $100,000 grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
The Literacy and Academic Success for English Learners through Science (LASErS) program is a collaborative effort between the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, Hartford Public Schools, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC), Connecticut Science Center and the Boston-based Education Development Center (EDC).
“The Foundation’s support for the LASErS program reflects our core values of equity and diversity and recognizes that families, communities and schools must work together to help children be ready for kindergarten and prepared to succeed in school,” said Linda J. Kelly, president of the Hartford Foundation.
The i3 grant competition required all applicants to secure private-sector matching funds in hopes of amplifying and sustaining the work, as well as to help grantees enhance relationships at the national, regional, and local level. The Hartford Foundation worked closely with EDC on the proposal and provided the necessary matching funds that resulted in Hartford being awarded the i3 grant.
For more information: Chris Senecal, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 860-548-1888, csenecal@hfpg.org. |
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Links to More Community Foundation News
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LINKS TO MORE FOUNDATION NEWS |
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Member News |
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PARTNERS FOR PLACES
Application Deadline: Wednesday, January 28 The Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities is pleased to announce the opening of round six of Partners for Places. This matching grant program creates opportunities for cities and counties in the United States and Canada to improve communities by building partnerships between local government sustainability offices and place-based foundations. The grant program will provide partnership investments between $25,000 and $75,000 for one-year projects, or $50,000 and $150,000 for two-year projects, with a 1:1 match required by one or more local foundations. |
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THEODORE & MARGARET BEARD EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD
Nomination Deadline: Wednesday, January 28. Fairfield County's Community Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2015 Theodore & Margaret Beard Excellence in Teaching Award. O ne of the largest teaching awards in the nation, the cash gift of $25,000 honors up to two exceptional Bridgeport public school teachers. The award will be presented on May 6, 2015 at the Inspiration Awards ceremony, a joint event of Fairfield County's Community Foundation and the Bridgeport Public Education Fund that recognizes outstanding teachers in Bridgeport public education. Learn more >> |
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COMPASSION COUNTS: A SHORELINE COMMUNITY FORUM Thursday, January 29, 5:30 - 7:30 pm, Westbrook High School, Westbrook, CT The Community Foundation of Middlesex County and Essex Community Fund are just two of the partners, bringing together this shoreline community conversation that will explore mental wellness in an age of stress and anxiety. Learn More >> |
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GRANTSEEKERS LUNCHEON Tuesday, February 3, 12:00 - 1:30 pm, Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT The Aurora Women and Girls Foundation is holding a grantseekers luncheon to explain their new focus area and highlight changes to their 2015 grant application process. Nonprofits will also receive an update on new data from the Aurora Report. RSVP by January 27, 2015 to nancy@aurorafoundation.org or call 860-881-4926. |
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YALE PHILANTHROPY CONFERENCE
Friday, February 13, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm, Edward P. Evans Hall, Yale University, New Haven Yale School of Management's 10th annual Yale Philanthropy Conference (YPC) will explore the cycle of organizational growth and innovation. The keynote speaker is Zia Kahn, vice president for Initiatives and Strategy at the Rockefeller Foundation. The student led conference is geared towards philanthropists and individuals working at foundations, but also attracts nonprofit professionals, academics, consultants, and students. Register Now >> |
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FAIRFIELD COUNTY GIVING DAY IS SET Friday, February 13 - Nonprofit Giving Day Registration ClosesThursday, March 5 - Fairfield County Giving Day Nonprofit organizations in Fairfield County can now register to participate in Giving Day on March 5, a 24-hour period of online donations through www.FCGives.org. Initiated last year by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, Giving Day encourages individuals, families, companies, clubs and groups to “give where you live” and support Fairfield County nonprofits. Last year on Fairfield County Giving Day, 9,211 online donors gave more than $620,000 to 267 Fairfield County nonprofits – all in just 24 hours. An additional $127,500 in cash prizes, funded by the Community Foundation, lead sponsor Bank of America and other corporate and community sponsors, were awarded to more than 50 nonprofits. Fairfield County Giving Day Registration >> |
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REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP INNOVATION FUND
Application Deadline: Friday, February 20 The Jessie B. Cox Trust is announcing a three-year, $1 million dollar initiative to increase the capacity of Regional Conservation Partnerships (RCP) in New England to conserve ecologically significant land. The grant program has two components: the Donated Land and Easement Grant Program to provide capital to cover the transaction costs associated with the donation of conservation easements and fee simple lands of ecological significance; and the RCP Innovation Grant Program to help RCPs address basic organizational challenges that limit their ability to grow as effective collaboratives or to achieve significant conservation gains. Learn more >> |
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PUBLIC POLICY FELLOWS Application Deadline: Friday, February 20 The ZOOM Foundation is seeking emerging leaders from across the nation for its Connecticut-based ZOOM Public Policy Fellowship. The year-long paid fellowship is designed to develop a sustainable public service leadership pipeline in Connecticut by providing action learning opportunities and leadership development training. |
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SCHOLARSHIPS and YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES |
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BANK OF AMERICA STUDENT LEADERS Application Deadline: Saturday, January 31 Junior and senior high school students who live or study in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven or Stamford may now apply to the Bank of America Student Leaders® program. The Student Leaders® program connects promising high school juniors and seniors to jobs that help prepare them for a brighter future. The program recognizes students that step outside the classroom to serve their own communities. Student leaders are awarded paid summer internships with local nonprofits and participate in the Student Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. Learn More >> |
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LIBERTY BANK YOUTH IN ACTION AWARDS Nomination Deadline: Friday, February 20 Liberty Bank is looking for nominations for the fourth annual Liberty Bank Youth In Action Awards presented annually to honor two youths who have engaged in outstanding and extensive community service and/or philanthropy in towns served by Liberty Bank. Two awards will be presented: one to a student in grades 9-12, and one to a student in grades 6-8. Each award recipient will have the opportunity to direct a $1,000 donation to the nonprofit organization(s) of his/her choice. Finalists will be able to direct $100 donations. Nominations must be submitted by a staff member of a youth-oriented nonprofit organization, such as a YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, Boy Scout, Girl Scouts, a youth service bureau or a faith-based youth group. Learn More >> |
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SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ANNOUNCED The American Savings Foundation's Robert T. Kenney Scholarship is the largest independent college scholarship program from a single source of funds in Connecticut. The scholarship awards, for students attending a community college, 4-year college or university, or technical/vocational program, range from $1,000 - $3,500 for the academic year. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2015. Learn more >>Berkshire Bank will be awarding 30 scholarships to high school seniors in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and Vermont through its annual Scholarship Awards Program. Students must attend a high school within a community that has a Berkshire Bank location or is primarily served by one of the bank’s offices. The deadline to apply is March 25, 2015. Learn more >>Dominion Nuclear Connecticut is offering 16 full-tuition scholarships for the nuclear engineering technology degree program at Three Rivers Community College. The deadline to apply is February 15, 2015. Learn more >>SBM Charitable Foundation annually awards scholarships in amounts up to $5000 per year to help fund undergraduate study at institutions of higher learning in Connecticut. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2015. Learn more >>Find more scholarship and youth opportunities from Council members >> |
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KATE MILLER, executive director of The Fund for Greater Hartford, announced her retirement after 15 years of service to The Fund and the philanthropic community in greater Hartford, effective June 31, 2015.
“Kate has spent the past 15 years as a champion for children and families in greater Hartford, an example of personal and professional integrity, and a steadfast steward for the philanthropic community in our region and state,” said Jan-Gee McCollam, President of the Board of Trustees.
With Miller's guidance and the direction of the Board of Trustees, The Fund distributed more than $10 million in grants to the greater Hartford area during her tenure as executive director.
Miller served the larger philanthropic community through her leadership on the board of the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy from 2002 through 2009, with two years as board chair. In 2012, Miller received the Council's Martha S. Newman Award for sustained and exemplary service to the philanthropic sector.
Read more >> |
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Three retiring board members from the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain were recently honored for their years of service to the Foundation. PAUL SALINA of New Britain, PHYLLIS KINDELAN of Berlin and Pastor VICTORIA TRIANO of Southington each served the nine years – including two years each for Kindelan and Salina as board chair.
All three board members will remain involved with the Foundation at the committee level. Both Kindelan and Salina will remain members of the Foundation’s Community Initiatives Committee, while Triano will continue to serve on the Grants Committee.
Read more >> |
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The Nellie Mae Education Foundation, the largest philanthropic organization in New England focused exclusively on education, welcomes COLLEEN QUINT, president and CEO the Alfond Scholarship Foundation in Portland, Maine, to its board of directors.
Quint has worked in education for more than 20 years, beginning her career as an education law consultant and working for foundations specializing in scholarship programs and investment, education access and economic development. In her current at the Alfond Scholarship Foundation, she is responsible for the strategy and operations of a program that invests $500 for college on behalf of more than 12,000 Maine children every year.
Read more >> |
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| Hartford Foundation for Public Giving board members, YVETTE MELENDEZ, vice-president of community outreach and government relations for the Hartford Hospital Care System, and THEA MONTANEZ, are two of eight CTLatinoNews 2014 "Champions of Change." The top Latino leaders were selected for their distinct contributions in many arenas – from education to politics to philanthropy. Read more >> |
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| Northeast Utilities, which operates New England’s largest energy delivery company, announced that it will begin doing business under the new brand name of Eversource Energy on February 2. All of the company’s subsidiaries, including Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P), NSTAR Electric, NSTAR Gas, Public Service Company of New Hampshire (PSNH), Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) and Yankee Gas Services Company (Yankee Gas) will adopt and operate under the Eversource name. Read more >> |
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 The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy is an association of grantmakers committed to promoting and supporting effective philanthropy for the public good. A foremost resource on philanthropy, Council membership is open to foundations (private, corporate, community), business and corporate giving programs, public charity grantmakers, bank trusts, donor-advised funds and individual philanthropists. Associate and Professional Membership in the Council is open to professionals and organizations serving the philanthropic sector. The Council benefits the larger grantmaking community, the nonprofit sector and the public in Connecticut.
For more news about philanthropy in Connecticut, go to the Council's news room, Connecticut Philanthropy Digest archives and our blog, CTPhilanthropyNotes.org.
News about Connecticut funders may be submitted to the Council for consideration. The Connecticut Philanthropy Digest is brought to you by the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy. Edited by Laurie Allen. |
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