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Council Aims to Strengthen Field by Welcoming Professionals and Organizations Serving Philanthropy |
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The Connecticut Council of Philanthropy (CCP), Connecticut's association of grantmakers, is welcoming those who work with and support philanthropy to its membership.
Associate & Professional Membership in the Council is open to professionals and organizations serving the philanthropic sector, such as private banking groups and trust departments; financial services and investment firms; and law and consultancy firms serving philanthropic clients and the nonprofit sector.
"Council members have primarily been philanthropists and grantmaking organizations," said Council President Maggie Osborn. "But as CCP moves forward with an expanded definition of Connecticut’s philanthropic community, we are seeking to include all those who work with and support philanthropy so that together we can have a deeper and broader impact."
Council membership information may be downloaded at https://www.CTphilanthropy.org/join.
For more information: Maggie Osborn, Connecticut Council for Philanthropy, 860-525-5585, mosborn@CTphilanthropy.org.
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 GuideStar, D5 to Track Nonprofit/Foundation Diversity Data
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The D5 Coalition—a five-year, effort to increase philanthropy’s diversity, equity and inclusiveness—joined GuideStar—an organization that collects data on the programs, finances and impact of more than 1.8 million IRS-recognized nonprofits—in launching a new program to help set standards for how data about diversity within the nonprofit sector is collected.
Without sector-wide standards for how data on diversity is collected, nonprofits and foundations have had difficulty identifying trends, gaps, overlaps, and opportunities. Better diversity information across the sector will help funders and providers understand the constituencies they are working to help, and be better able to evaluate of the impact of their work. The social sector at large will better be able to measure progress and make informed decisions about resource investment.
For more information: Kelly Brown, D5 Coalition, kelly.brown@d5coalition.org. |
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Report Card Highlights CT’s Strengths/Weaknesses in addressingRacial and Ethnic Health Disparities |
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Connecticut is ranked #2 in the country in the 2014 Women’s Health Report Card released by the Universal Health Care Foundation of CT and the CT Citizen Action Group, but the report also points to major race-based differences in women’s health that persist in the state.
“Connecticut’s high overall ranking in women’s health is positive news, but we cannot become complacent. We must continue to be a leader in eradicating health disparities for women," said Frances Padilla, President of the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut.
Connecticut ranked 5th in the country in health coverage for women, 4th in women’s access to health care and 3rd in women’s health outcomes, for an overall ranking of 2nd in the country, garnering an A grading.
The report card also found that women of color in Connecticut are uninsured at higher rates and face worse health outcomes than women overall. For example, Latina women in Connecticut are twice as likely to be uninsured than women overall, and the infant mortality rate is twice as high for children born to black women than children born to women overall.
For more information: Frances Padilla, Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut, 203-639-0550, fpadilla@universalhealthct.org. |
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Tow Institute Will Protect Gains Made in Juvenile Justice |
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In order to further Connecticut’s ambitious reforms in juvenile justice and to provide national leadership, the University of New Haven’s Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences today announced the opening of the Tow Institute for Youth Justice. The institute, the first in Connecticut and one of the few in the US, will study issues such as prevention, recidivism, sentencing and the treatment of youths as adults. It also will study alternatives to incarceration, alternatives to school-based arrests, and the cost-benefit and safety outcomes of community interventions. In addition, the institute will examine improvements in independent living and workforce issues for youth. Funding for this work will come from The Tow Foundation with a $300,000 two-year grant; the state of Connecticut with a $150,000, one-year grant; and the University of New Haven giving $100,000 annually. “Over the past two decades, The Tow Foundation has proudly supported efforts to improve services for court-involved youth and the policies that affect them,” said Emily Tow Jackson, executive director of The Tow Foundation. “Investing in the creation of this important new institute will help insure that those positive outcomes are protected and that youth and communities in Connecticut and around the country will benefit from the knowledge and expertise that will be housed here.” For more information: Emily Tow Jackson, The Tow Foundation, 203-761-6604. |
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New Digital Resource Helps Parents of Children with Learning and Attention Issues |
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The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, the National Center for Learning Disabilities and thirteen other foundations and nonprofits have joined forces to create an innovative digital resource to support parents of the one in five children struggling with learning and attention issues. The website, Understood, hosts more than 1,600 articles, “deep dives,” decision guides, quizzes, slideshows, tips and more. Understood was designed to work equally well on computer, tablet and smartphone, using the best techniques for people with learning and attention issues. Understood's state-of-the-art technology, personalized resources, free daily access to experts, a secure online community, and practical tips equip parents to make effective choices that propel their children from simply coping to truly thriving. The website can be accessed in English and Spanish at http://www.understood.org. For more information: Michelle Knapik, Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, 203-639-5544, knapik@tremainefoundation.org. |
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Aetna Helps Kids with Sickle Cell Experience Camp |
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Children and their families facing sickle cell disease are able to experience special programming offered by The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, thanks to a $100,000 leadership grant from the Aetna Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Aetna. The grant also serves to support the Camp’s ongoing research and evaluation efforts, allowing the organization to better understand the impact of its programming on families served. The Aetna Foundation funding is helping the Camp provide comprehensive services free of charge to children afflicted with sickle cell disease, who make up nearly a third of the camper population. The programs include summer camp sessions and family retreat weekends at the Camp’s facility in Ashford, CT, as well as visits to children hospitalized throughout the Northeast. “At The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, children with serious health conditions can enjoy being a kid, gain valuable skills in managing their disorder and build a life-changing network of support,” said Garth Graham, president of the Aetna Foundation. “The result is a powerful experience that can empower kids with sickle cell disease to lead healthier lives.” For more information: Beth Starkin, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, 203-745-2720, beth.starkin@holeinthewallgang.org. |
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COMMUNITY FOUNDATION NEWS |
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Online Atlas Provides Data About Community Foundations |
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At the 2014 Fall Conference for Community Foundations, an international research collaboration unveiled the Community Foundation Atlas, the most comprehensive directory of the world's community foundation movement that has ever been published. The online platform, available at CommunityFoundationAtlas.org, maps the identities, locations, assets, roles and achievements of place-based philanthropies around the world.
Embracing an inclusive definition of "community philanthropy," the Atlas has identified 1,827 place-based foundations in 67 countries. While the movement began 100 years ago, the last three decades have seen explosive growth.
In Connecticut, four of the community foundations serving the state have been created in the last three decades, Fairfield County's Community Foundation, Main Street Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Middlesex County and Madison Foundation. Thirteen community foundations are members of the Council and they made total grants of $87,390,222 in 2013.
The Atlas is hosted by the Global Fund for Community Foundations and the Foundation Center.
For more information: Cheryl Loe, Foundation Center, 888-356-0354 ext. 701, communications@foundationcenter.org; Jenny Hodgson, Global Fund for Community Foundations, +27-11-447-4396, jenny@globalfundcf.org.. |
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Valley Now Prepared for Disaster Response
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A disaster response trailer is now available to help Valley residents in times of crisis thanks to grants from three donor advised funds at The Valley Community Foundation: the Palazzi Family; Joseph A. Pagliaro Sr. Family; and John and Paraskeve Vartelas “Agape” funds. The $11,000 + funds granted to American Red Cross Connecticut Chapter will provide a weather-resistant trailer stocked with 200 cots, blankets and comfort kits containing personal care items that would be needed by residents in an emergency shelter.
“In light of the major weather and other emergencies, we have had in this area for the past several years, we feel it is extremely important to have this trailer available – especially because it is the first and only one specifically targeted for use here in the Valley,” said Valley Community Foundation President & CEO Sharon Closius. “We are so pleased to partner with our donors, the Red Cross, and everyone involved throughout the Valley community to help bring this project to fruition.”
The trailer will help the Red Cross quickly mobilize in response to disasters by allowing for the rapid deployment of materials that might be needed in a regional shelter to serve the residents of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton. The shelter would be managed by the American Red Cross and staffed by Red Cross volunteers, in partnership with volunteers from Citizen Emergency Response Teams in the Valley communities.
For more information: Valerie Knight-Di Gangi, Valley Community Foundation, 203-751-9162, vdigangi@valleyfoundation.org. |
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Foundation Works Toward a Bully-Free Community |
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Working to prevent bullying, the Community Foundation of Middlesex County (CFMC) with a group of Middlesex County business leaders announced the Campaign for Bully-Free Communities. Aiming to highlight the No Bully Zone Program underwritten by the Council of Business Partners Fund created through CFMC, the campaign will rally Middlesex County individuals, businesses, municipalities, school districts, libraries and other community organizations to “stand together” for a Bully-Free community. “Bullying has destructive consequences on our young people, and it is something we don’t have to accept. It is a social behavior we’d like to see change,” said Dave Director, Council of Business Partners Chair and CFMC Board member. "We are proud to come together as a community to provide positive and useful tools, not only to our young people, but also to everyone no matter what age they are,” said Cynthia Clegg, CFMC President and CEO. Take the Pledge >> For more information: Cynthia Clegg, Community Foundation of Middlesex County, 860-347-0025, cynthia@middlesexcountycf.org. |
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City's Youth Kitchen to Expand Urban Farm-to-Table Program
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More Hartford youth and their families will learn about how to choose, grow and prepare healthy food thanks to a three-year, $180,000 grant to Billings Forge Community Works from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
These funds will allow Billings Forge to expand its farm-to-table youth programming, which builds on its core areas of expertise—cooking, urban gardening, and social enterprises through interaction with its farmers’ market and cafes and diverse teaching staff. Billings Forge’s Youth Kitchen and Garden Classroom curriculum targets students in grades 3 to 12, with a focus on Frog Hollow and other Hartford neighborhoods.
“We are so delighted with our three-year grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving,” said Billings Forge executive director Cary Wheaton. “This provides a solid financial foundation for a new and exciting program. It's a thrill to see kids realize that they can cook, and learn new recipes and techniques, and work and learn together in community.”
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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FEMINISM'S FRANKENSTEINS
Tuesday, October 28, 4:30 - 7:30 pm, New Haven Lawn Club, New Haven The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's Community Fund for Women & Girls is hosting feminist and millenial author, blogger, speaker and activist Courtney Martin in her talk on the future of gender justice. Register >> |
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GATHERING & CELEBRATION OF WOMEN
Wednesday, November 5, 5:30 - 7:30 pm, Watertown Golf Club, Watertown The Connecticut Community Foundation will report on their 2014 women and girls "listening" activity and how their findings w ill affect the Foundation’s future work. Daisy Cocco De Filippis, President of Naugatuck Valley Community College, will also lead a moderated discussion about self-esteem and resilience. Register >> |
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AETNA VOICES OF HEALTH
Online Voting through Sunday, November 9. The " Aetna Voices of Health" campaign was designed to recognize and promote the groups making a difference in racial and ethnic health care inequality. This year Aetna will award $30,000 to the group that receives the most online votes and $20,000 to the second-place finisher. Online voting goes through November 9 for the 31 nominated organizations, including Billings Forge in Connecticut, that are working to improve people’s health and well-being in their communities. Read more & Vote daily >> |
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$5 MILLION CITIES CHALLENGE
Deadline to enter is Friday, November 14. The Knight Foundation is asking people to submit ideas that answer the question: What's your best idea to make cities more successful? The Knight Foundation is investing $5 million to test the most innovative ideas in talent, opportunity and engagement in one or more of 26 Knight Foundation communities. It aims to attract a broad range of ideas from anyone with big ideas - designers, planning professionals, architects, city officials, educators, nonprofits - everyone is welcome. Learn more >> |
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LIBERTY BANK/ROTARY CLUB THANKSGIVING DINNER DRIVE
Through Saturday, November 22 Liberty Bank and 32 local Rotary Clubs are teaming up to make sure that everyone in central, eastern, and shoreline Connecticut can enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving meal. Through November 22, Liberty Bank’s 48 branch offices will accept donations to local Rotary Clubs for the purpose of providing Thanksgiving food. Every dollar donated at a Liberty office will be matched with 20 cents from the Liberty Bank Foundation, up to a total of $40,000. On November 24, the Rotary Clubs will withdraw the funds and either purchase and deliver food for needy families, or donate the funds to a local human services agency that provides Thanksgiving food. Learn more >> |
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PUBLIC ART CHALLENGEApplication Deadline is Monday December 15. Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge will grant at least three cities up to $1 million each over two years to support temporary public art projects that celebrate creativity, enhance urban identity, encourage public-private partnerships, and drive economic development. The successful aplications will: bring people together to experience public places in dynamic and transformative ways; demonstrate close collaboration between artists, arts organizations and cities; and establish robust public-private partnerships between local government and other funders. Applying cities must have 30,000 residents or more and the application must be submitted by the mayor or chief executive of the host city. The application must be on behalf of a collaboration between the host city and an artist and/or arts organization. Learn more >> |
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The Board of Directors of Liberty Bank has elected GERALYN “JEWELL” JONES to the Board of Directors of the Liberty Bank Foundation. Jones is the manager of Liberty’s branch office in Groton.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Jewell Jones began her career at Liberty Bank as a teller in 1997. She was subsequently promoted to customer service representative, and then moved to Liberty Bank Investment Services as a registered investment associate. Later, she returned to the branch system and worked her way up to Office Manager of the Groton branch.
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The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, has announced that KELLYANN DAY of Cheshire, CT has been appointed to the Board of Directors. Ms. Day will fill the Board seat of the late JAMES E. PERILLO, who passed away in August; effective January 1, 2015, Ms. Day will begin her own six year term.
Kellyann Day has been the CEO of New Reach, Inc., formerly New Haven Home Recovery, Inc. since 1997. Ms. Day attended the State University of New York at Plattsburgh and received a BS in Psychology and has a Masters of Social Work from The University of Connecticut. Ms. Day has served as Chair to the Board of Directors of the South Central Behavioral Health Network, and ... Read more >> |
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Three Westport residents have been named to Fairfield County’s Community Foundation board of directors: MAXWELL BONNIE, STEVEN GOLDSTEIN, and DR. DAVID LEVINSON.
Bonnie is a member of the Research Analytics team at Bridgewater Associates and a former consumer insights consultant with BrandSpark International. Goldstein is the creator of the pioneer internet advertising company Fastblast, and is a committee member for Autism Speaks of Westchester/Fairfield. Levinson has been president of Norwalk Community College since 2004. He is a published author on education and sociology and serves on several nonprofit boards. Read more >> |
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The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford Board of Trustees has announced the election of two new trustees—STEVEN F. PIAKER and GAYLE W. TEMKIN.
Steven Piaker is Managing Director and Co-Head, Napier Park Financial Partners, and has more than 25 years of experience in financial services. In addition to Financial Partners, he is also a Founding Partner and Management Committee member of Napier Park Global Capital, an alternative asset firm spun out of Citi in 2013.
Gayle Temkin is an independent philanthropist and a community activist.She is particularly engaged with the Jewish community and educational programs for youth, currently serving on the Boards of Trustees for the Mandell Jewish Community Center, Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford, Voices of Hope – JFACT, and Hebrew High School of New England, and as a community Trustee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford.
The Foundation is grateful to departing Board member, ELLIOTT D. TERTES for his many years of service. Read more >> |
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Aurora Women and Girls Foundation recently honored two women with philanthropist awards at their annual Signature Breakfast event.
Connecticut resident and community philanthropist BEVERLY GREENBERG was honored as 2014 Woman Philanthropist of the Year. Beverly has held leadership roles on both the West Hartford Board of Education and the Connecticut State Board of Education, having served a total of 20 years in the aggregate on these two boards. Since 2005, Beverly has served on the board of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. A life board member of Hartford Stage, her board service has also included the Hartford Education Foundation, the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame, West Hartford Community Television and Westledge School.
JEANETTE MARIE PORCELLO, a student at South Windsor High School, was recognized as 2014 Young Woman Philanthropist, for her community service and volunteer work for Autism Families CONNECTicut. 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. With members representing 112 independent, family and community foundations, federated funds, and corporate foundations and giving programs, the Council is Connecticut’s foremost resource on philanthropy. The organization 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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