CT Philanthropy Digest - July 2017

Monday, July 31, 2017

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FEATURED PHILANTHROPY NEWS >>

How to Understand the State Fiscal Crisis - A message and resources from CCP >>

Report Reveals ACA Reduced CT Uninsured by Nearly 50% >>

Studies Find Proposed Budget Cuts Hurt Early Childhood Program Quality and State Economy >>

New England Consultant Directory to Assist Nonprofits >>

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 

How to Understand the State Fiscal Crisis - A message and resources from CCP

Having been on board for 3 months, I’ve been making my rounds – talking with foundation members, organizational leaders, and even state decision makers – and there is one thing that is weighing heavily upon everyone’s minds: the state fiscal crisis. Why has this happened? What’s next? How are non-profits dealing with it? What’s philanthropy’s role in this situation? Many people are working hard to understand the situation and many more are thinking about how best to address it.

The CT Mirror ran a detailed five-part series, A Legacy of Debt, to explain the crisis. Keith M. Phaneuf has been doing excellent reporting on the issue, @CTMirrorKeith in case you want to follow him on Twitter. If you don’t have time for the deep dive, the Fairfield County Community Foundation’s most recent 25on25 webinar series, Connecticut’s Economic Uncertainty & the Future Philanthropic Landscape, focused on this issue.

Non-profits too are collecting information. The Alliance surveyed their members about the impacts of reduced or delayed payments from the state and have been working hard at the state capitol (scroll to p.3 for their special session focused work). In fact, they are holding a press conference tomorrow, August 1 about the impact of the first four weeks without a state budget on vital human service programs and the people they serve.

Many foundations are working to bring expertise to their grantees and other non-profits to help them plan ahead. The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s Nonprofit Support Program is hosting a September 7, workshop, Working Differently in Tough Times: Leadership’s Role in Considering Collaborations, Cutbacks and Reorganization. The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven is hosting a training on October 17,  Strategic Financial Planning for Nonprofits. Finally, Fairfield County's Community Foundation is offering a November 1 workshop, The Right Time to Rightsize?.

In an effort to help curate useful resources on this issue, CCP has created a What's Up with the State Fiscal Crisis? web page to host resources in one place for you and for your grantees. If you have additional resources to highlight, please share them with us. We’re thinking about other ways that we might support Connecticut’s philanthropic community – and their grantees – during this time. If you have ideas, please let me know.

Best regards,

Karla Fortunato, President
Connecticut Council for Philanthropy         

Report Reveals ACA Reduced CT Uninsured by Nearly 50%CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

A new report from the Connecticut Health Foundation shows the impact of the Affordable Care Act on Connecticut, with data on coverage and costs across the state, as well as for the state’s largest cities, Litchfield and Windham Counties, black and Latino residents, women, and young adults.

The report, The ACA's Impact on Connecticut's Health Coverage and Costs, based on an analysis by the Urban Institute’s Health Policy Center, found that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) reduced Connecticut’s uninsured rate by nearly 50 percent, and that minorities, people without a college education, and workers are disproportionately represented among those who gained coverage under the health law. However, even those with employer-sponsored insurance and Medicare were significantly affected by changes created by the ACA.    

“Our goal is for decisions to be made with good data and an understanding of the implications on people’s lives,” said Patricia Baker, president and CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation. “We commissioned this analysis to document what is at stake as lawmakers consider changes to the health care system. We hope this measure of the current status of coverage in Connecticut provides a baseline on which to measure the impact of future reforms.”

Studies Find Proposed Budget Cuts Hurt Early Childhood Program Quality and State Economy

High quality early childhood programs have positive short- and long-term effects for children, families, and the state economy, according to Connecticut Voices for Children's new study,  Assessing Quality in Connecticut's Childhood System. Commissioned by the Connecticut Early Childhood Funders Collaborative, the study analyzes the key elements of a quality early care and education system and compares Connecticut's programs to national models.

The study highlights the considerable efforts of the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) to promote program quality, and coordinate and support essential wrap-around services. Citing national research, the study details the key elements of effective, all-encompassing early care and education programs.

"Early care programs are one of the most effective ways to close existing disparities related to race, ZIP code, and family income," says Nicole Updegrove, Associate Policy Fellow at Connecticut Voices for Children and report author, "Wrap-around services are a key part of the equation, helping to ensure that young children's needs are met both in and outside the classroom. "

The study is a follow-up to earlier analysis released by Connecticut Voices for Children assessing the economic impact of early care and education programs.

New England Consultant Directory to Assist NonprofitsCCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

Consultants play a large role in the work of nonprofits. That’s why the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s Nonprofit Support Program (NSP), along with a number of other local funders, worked to overhaul a directory that for years has been helping nonprofits to find the right consultants for their projects. The New England Nonprofit Consultant Directory (www.NEconsultant.org) represents a complete upgrade and expansion of the existing consultant directory. In addition to new design and improved search capabilities, the new directory provides access to consultants serving all of New England as well as New York.

The New England Nonprofit Consultant Directory exists to help nonprofits: discover consultants in a variety of relevant fields; learn about those consultants’ experience and skills; connect with consultants best matching their needs; and access resources for hiring and managing consultants. The directory is a tool to help connect nonprofits with consultants, but is not a vetted list.

“The old consultant directory was a tool that had served our nonprofit community well for more than a decade,” said NSP’s director, Annemarie Riemer. “This upgraded directory not only offers access to more consultants over a larger geographic region, it provides a far more user-friendly and comprehensive tool for nonprofits throughout the region. We hope that nonprofits and consultants serving the nonprofit community will continue to support and utilize this wonderful resource for many years to come.” Learn more >>             

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

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Branford Community Foundation

Cigna Foundation

Comcast

Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

Community Foundation of Greater New Britain

Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority

Connecticut Health Foundation

Fairfield County's Community Foundation

Farmington Bank

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation

Liberty Bank Foundation

Lincoln Financial Foundation

Main Street Community Foundation

MetroHartford Alliance

Newman's Own Foundation

Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation

People's United Community Foundation

The Rockfall Foundation

Travelers

United Way of Western Connecticut

Webster Bank

Non-Member News Links

1772 Foundation/Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation

AARP Foundation

Bob’s Discount Furniture’s Charitable Foundation

Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Foundation

Community Chest of New Britain and Berlin

Community Foundation of Middlesex County

First Niagara Foundation/KeyBank

Foundation for Life/ Barnum Financial Group

Maximilian E. & Marion O. Hoffman Foundation

KBE Building Corporation

Edward and Mary Lord Foundation

Harold W. McGraw Jr. Family Foundation

Petit Family Foundation

Robert F. Schumann Foundation

United Way of Greater Waterbury

Walton Family Foundation

ZAC Foundation

  Grants and RFPs
CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoMember Grants and RFPs

Community Foundation of Greater New Britain

Fairfield County's Community Foundation

    Elizabeth Carse Foundation

    Connecticut Community Foundation

    Ahearn Family Foundation

    The Guilford Foundation

    Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation

    Travelers Foundation

    Main Street Community Foundation

    J. Walton Bissell Foundation

    Branford Community Foundation

    Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation

    Non-Member Grants and RFPs

    Community Foundation of Middlesex County

    The Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities

      Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation

        Events and Other Opportunities

      Info Session for Women's Giving Circle >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

      AUGUST 10: 5:30 - 7:30 pm: Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens, Washington Depot
      The Connecticut Community Foundation will hold the third of three small gatherings hosted by women in the Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills region to mingle, meet other potential members, and share ideas about getting involved in the Women’s Giving Circle at the Connecticut Community Foundation. Learn more >>

      Women & Girls’ Fund Hosting Lunch & Learn >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

      AUGUST 24: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Tunxis@Bristol, Bristol
      The Women & Girls' Fund of Main Street Community Foundation is hosting a Lunch & Learn for local nonprofit professionals and volunteers to discuss the Fund’s grantmaking as well as the critical needs and issues local girls and women face. RSVP your attendance to Julie Matthews at Main Street Community Foundation by Friday, August 18, 860-583-6363 or julie@mainstreetfoundation.org.

      Nominate a Hero of Diversity >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

      AUGUST 18: Nomination deadline
      Liberty Bank is soliciting nominations for the 2016 Willard M. McRae Community Diversity Award (named in honor of a past chairman of its Bank Board of Directors). This annual award is designed to recognize an individual who has made a significant and ongoing contribution to the cause of promoting and celebrating diversity in the communities served by Liberty Bank. The bank is looking to the public to nominate local residents who are leaders in building positive relationships between different people, whether those differences are of race, economic status, culture, religion, or any other aspect of diversity. This year's winner will have the honor of directing a $5,000 Liberty Bank Foundation donation to the nonprofit of his or her choice. Download a nomination form >>

      Cast a Vote - 3 $20K Grants. 82 Contenders. 20 Semifinalists >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

      SEPTEMBER 5 - 15: Public voting window
      Liberty Bank Foundation's 20th Birthday Celebration includes a video grants competition. They received 82 videos from nonprofits vying for a $20,000 Liberty Bank Foundation grant in one of three categories, Education for Economic Success, Affordable and Supportive Housing, and Basic Needs. The twenty semifinalists have submitted grant proposals and nine selected finalists will compete for one $20,000 grant in each category. See the runners up >>  Public voting will start on September 5 >>

      Nominate an Environmental Champion >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

      SEPTEMBER 15: Nomination deadline
      Each year The Rockfall Foundation honors individuals, non-profit organizations, members of the business community, and other groups to highlight their contributions to the quality of life in the Lower Connecticut River Valley. The Distinguished Service Award is given to an organization or individual for outstanding ongoing or long-term accomplishments in the area of environmental preservation, conservation, restoration, or education. Awardees will be recognized at The Rockfall Foundation's Annual Meeting and Grants & Awards Celebration in November. Download a nomination form and view a list of past recipients >>

      Free Seminar: Effective, Lawful and Compliant Business Practice for Nonprofits >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

      SEPTEMBER 19: 8:00am - 3:30 pm: Ethan Allen Hotel, Danbury
      Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation and United Way of Western Connecticut invite nonprofits to participate in interactive sessions to gain valuable insights regarding legal and business issues relevant to their organizations. Workshop topics include: Employment Law; Worksite Security and Protection from Armed Intruders; Cyber Security; Careful Communication; and Optimizing the Volunteer Experience/Volunteers Share their Feedback. This is Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation’s 6th Skills-based Nonprofit Workshop which relies on the generous efforts of internal and external volunteers. To reserve one or more seats, contact Sharon Donaghey.         

        The power of good people

      CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoDavid Obedzinski, whose 30-plus year management career in philanthropy, development and donor relations, has been named the new president of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain. David will begin his new post on August 14. David, a Glastonbury resident who is currently vice president of philanthropy for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association, succeeds retiring President Jim Williamson. Williamson announced his retirement in April, and upon his departure in August will have served the Foundation one month shy of 13 years. Read more >>

      CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoThe MetroHartford Alliance has announced that Oz Griebel, president and CEO since its inception in 2001, will leave his position at the end of the calendar year to pursue other leadership opportunities. Joe Savage, executive vice chair of Webster Bank and previous chair of the Alliance Board said, “We have been fortunate to have had Oz at the helm for more than 16 years leading the Alliance’s economic development efforts in the Region. As a result of Oz’s leadership, we have established numerous initiatives that have strengthened the private sector, especially during challenging economic times. It’s been a pleasure to have worked with Oz, and the Alliance looks forward to continuing to do so in his next role in helping to drive growth in private sector employment and investment in the State.”        

      Andy Bessette, executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Travelers Companies and the successor to Savage as board chair as of July 1st, said, “Since the Alliance’s beginning in 2001, Oz has provided invaluable leadership driving numerous economic development initiatives." Read more >>

      CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoMoraima Gutierrez of Hartford has been named chair of the steering committee for the Latino Endowment Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the community foundation serving the 29-town Greater Hartford region. She succeeds former Latino Endowment Fund steering committee chair Nelly Rojas Schwan who will continue serving as a member of the committee. Gutierrez currently serves as Assistant District Director for Economic Development/Media Relations at the Connecticut District Office of the United States Small Business Administration (SBA). Read more >>

      CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoFirst County Bank is pleased to announce that Juanita T. James, president and CEO of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, has been named to First County Bank’s board of directors. James was officially appointed to the board at the June 21, 2017 meeting. “Juanita’s community involvement through volunteerism and business leadership are renowned. She brings substantial business expertise to our board. Juanita has served First County Bank as a Corporator for the past ten years,” said Rey Giallongo, First County Bank chairman and CEO. “We know she will be an exceptional addition to our board of directors.” Read more >>

      CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo New Canaan Community Foundation welcomes Sharon Stevenson as the its new Board Chair. Sharon has served on the Board since 2011 and follows Leo Karl III, who served since 2015. Sharon's professional career has spanned international and domestic markets in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors for over 30 years. Read more >>

       

      CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoThe Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's Progreso Latino Fund has featured Andrea Martinez in its Celebrating Latino Leaders series. Andrea is the assistant dean, College of Arts and Sciences at Fairfield University where she helps students who are at risk academically. She has empathy for the students knowing herself what it feels like to navigate through college with minimal help. Read more >>

      SCRA.jpeg CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo Judith Meyers received the Distinguished Contribution to Practice Award from the Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA) on June 23 at their biennial in Ottawa, Canada, where she was invited to give an address. She was honored for her career as a community psychologist. Judith is the president and CEO of Children's Fund of Connecticut and the Child Health and Develope Insitute of Connecticut. Judith is also board chair of the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy. Read more >>

      CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoJim Williamson, president of the Community Foundation for Greater New Britain, was honored in Denver at the national Campaign for Grade Level Reading’s Funders Huddle with the Catalyst for Change Award. The award was presented by Hedy Chang, founder of San Francisco-based Attendance Works and a nationally recognized expert on chronic absence. “Jim’s leadership led New Britain educators to use data to realize they had a problem with chronic absence, and encouraged them to bring together key stakeholders to identify and implement solutions. The resulting practices and dramatic reductions in chronic absence in New Britain have had ripple effects across Connecticut and ultimately the nation." Read more >>

      CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoThe Tow Foundation’s executive director and president, Emily Tow Jackson, has been appointed to the American Theatre Wing’s Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee provides support and guidance to the Board and staff of the Wing as they implement the organization’s goals and objectives. “I am incredibly honored to be working with the extraordinary people who serve on the Wing’s Board and Advisory Committee,” said Heather Hitchens, American Theatre Wing President. “These latest appointments are outstanding additions – each new member is tremendously accomplished and dedicated. I look forward to working with all of them in the months and years ahead.” Read more >>

      CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoThe Bridgeport Prospers Collective Impact Movement, with backbone support provided by the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County, has appointed Allison Logan as executive director. Allison served as the early childhood program manager for Bridgeport Prospers from June of 2016 until March of 2017, at which time she took on the role of acting executive director. “We are thrilled that Allison has accepted this critical position. The work has advanced tremendously under her leadership these past 3 months,” expressed Reverend Cass Shaw, president and CEO of The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, and a tri-chair of Bridgeport Prospers. Read more >>             

        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: August 21; September 18; October 23; November 20; December 18. Submission Deadlines: Close of business one week before the publication date.

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