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. Photos: 2016 Philanthropy Luncheon and Conference, Trumbull, CT.
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FEATURED PHILANTHROPY NEWS >>
ALICE is in Your Town: Report Finds that Every CT Town has ALICE Households >>
Report Finds Long-term Business Performance Tied to Social Responsibility >>
Foundation Releases Audio Anthology “We Stood Up: Reflections on the Civil Rights Movement” >>
Social Media and Stories Promote Voter Engagement >>
Digital Financial Curriculum Stewards Shapes Financial Futures >>
Community Index Identifies Needs, Opportunities in the Valley >>
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
ALICE is in Your Town: Report Finds that Every CT Town has ALICE Households
According to the recently updated United Way ALICE Report - Connecticut, both the number and percentage of households in Connecticut struggling to pay for their most basic needs increased from the years 2012 to 2014. Connecticut is one of the wealthiest states in the nation per capita, yet every city and town has ALICE households. These are households where income falls below what is needed to thrive financially, despite the fact that family members are employed. Wages simply don’t cover the cost of living. Of all households in the state with family members who are employed, one in four are ALICE households.
Two years ago, United Ways introduced ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed, to place a spotlight on a large population of residents who are working, but have difficulty affording the basic necessities of housing, food, child care, health care and transportation. The updated ALICE Report uses data from a variety of sources to quantify the number of households in Connecticut’s workforce that are struggling financially, and recommends both short-term and long-term strategies to help ALICE families.
ALICE families have been helped by United Ways in Connecticut which have invested more than $8.5 million in childcare and early learning; $1.3 million in housing and homeless prevention work; and $5 million in basic needs programs. They have assisted working families in obtaining nearly $40 million in EITC and tax refunds and credits in 2016.
An online simulator has been created to illustrate the financial challenges that ALICE households in Connecticut face at www.MakingToughChoices.org.
The updated Connecticut ALICE Report was funded by the 16 Connecticut United Ways, including CCP Members United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, United Way of Connecticut, United Way of Coastal Fairfield County, United Way of Greater New Haven and United Way of Western Connecticut. For more information or to find data about ALICE in local communities, visit http://alice.ctunitedway.org.
Read about ALICE in the news >>
Report Finds Long-term Business Performance Tied to Social Responsibility
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The Committee for Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, or CECP: The CEO Force for Good, is a coalition of more than 200 of the world’s largest companies with a combined annual revenue of more than $7 trillion. CECP has released, in association with The Conference Board, Giving in Numbers: 2016 Edition, an in-depth analysis of 2015 corporate giving and employee engagement data from the world’s largest companies.
The report found that "the link between a company’s business strategy and their engagement with society is ever more vital, as are the people within the company leading this connection. With the growing recognition that long-term business performance is tied to social responsibility, companies are allocating bigger budgets to the community engagement team, elevating giving officer roles and responsibilities, and ensuring that both employees and customers are able to show their commitment to giving back through the brand."
“The leading companies in today’s global economy have infused societal needs in business strategy, binding the well-being of their communities to the health of their bottom line,” said Daryl Brewster, CEO, CECP.
Giving in Numbers was made possible with support from Newman's Own Foundation, PwC US, and The Travelers Companies, Inc. Read more >>
Foundation Releases Audio Anthology "We Stood Up: Reflections on the Civil Rights Movement"
Lincoln Financial Foundation has released an audio anthology for children, “We Stood Up: Reflections on the Civil Rights Movement.” Lincoln Financial has released the anthology as part of Lincoln’s Legacy, the organization’s multiyear initiative focused on commemorating the values of its namesake, Abraham Lincoln, and the 150th anniversaries of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment.
“President Abraham Lincoln’s ideals are at the heart of our company, and we launched this initiative to celebrate and honor the impact of his legacy on today’s children and on generations to come,” said Dennis R. Glass, president and CEO of Lincoln Financial Group. “Education lays a strong foundation for people to nurture their aspirations and get the most out of life, and this anthology is meant to both instruct and inspire. We believe that President Lincoln would be proud to see our children embrace the educational opportunities he envisioned.”
The new album includes excerpts from interviews with some of the most influential voices on civil rights and social change, including the late Julian Bond and late Franklin McCain, as well as former Atlanta mayor, Shirley Franklin, and current Congressman, John Lewis.
“We Stood Up” is available for free download on www.lfg.com/songsandstories or as a CD to teachers, libraries and nonprofit organizations that serve children. It is also available now on iTunes. For access to the complete anthology interviews, as well as to video of the oral histories from other contributors to the Lincoln’s Legacy initiative, please visit https://www.lfg.com/public/lincolnslegacy/oralhistories. Read more >>
Social Media and Stories Promote Voter Engagement
The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, Connecticut Community Foundation, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, MetroHartford Alliance and CCP, have launched a non-partisan voter engagement campaign, “My Hope. My Voice. My Vote.” The campaign uses social media, videos and graphics to remind people of just how good it feels to cast their vote, and provides useful information about voting in Connecticut.
Is your organization interested in amplifying the voting message?
Email hartfordfoundation@hfpg.org to gain access to videos, graphics, a posting schedule and call-to-action copy that you can easily share through your organization's social media channels. Read more >>
Digital Financial Curriculum Shapes Student Financial Futures
The MassMutual Foundation has launched a new digital financial education curriculum—part of its successful FutureSmartSM program—developed specifically for middle school students. The new web-based curriculum is offered in English and Spanish to extend the potential reach of the successful FutureSmart program to youth in sixth through eighth grades, with the overall goal of impacting two million students by 2020.
The FutureSmart program was launched in 2014 and brings critical financial education to students across the United States. More than 300,000 students have already benefited from the FutureSmart program. The results: students’ financial knowledge increased by an average of 52% after completing the course, based on pre- and post-assessment data collected in the 2015-2016 academic year. This new offering builds on that success, featuring a custom-made school curriculum that was developed and designed by the MassMutual Foundation in partnership with education technology leader EverFi.
“The FutureSmart program has been addressing a pressing and growing need as it empowers students to become stewards of their financial futures,” said Gareth Ross, MassMutual Chief Customer Officer and a member of the MassMutual Foundation Board of Directors. “With the launch of this exciting new digital program, we have the opportunity to reach youth during the formative middle school years when they are establishing lifelong habits.” Learn more >>
Community Index Identifies Needs, Opportunities in the Valley
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Valley Community Foundation, in partnership with DataHaven, last week released, Understanding the Valley Region: 2016 Valley Community Index, the region's first single source report that analyzes the economy, health, and quality of life in the Valley region. The Valley region is defined as the seven Connecticut towns in the Naugatuck River Valley: Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Naugatuck, Oxford,Seymour, and Shelton.
The Valley Community Index includes information on community well-being, demographics, community life, early childhhod, education, health and economic opportunity. An eight-page executive summary of the Index with infographics is also available.
Key findings include:
- Levels of personal well-being are not evenly distributed across the Valley’s population.
- An increasingly diverse population and a growing number of seniors present new needs and opportunities.
- A significant shortage of regulated childcare exists for infants and toddlers in the Valley.
- The Valley’s four-year graduation rate matches the state's at 87 percent.
- From 2002 to 2014, 2,500 net jobs were added in Valley towns, a growth rate of six percent (outpacing zero percent statewide growth).
- 45 percent of Valley workers earn less than $40,000 per year, a “living wage” that is considered necessary to cover the cost of living in the region.
The Index will be used to convene community conversations, foster engagement, align current efforts and investments, and collaborate on strategies to build, sustain, and enhance the quality of life in the Valley.
The major sponsorships of the Index were provided by the Bassett Family Fund, Griffin Health Services, Katharine Matthies Foundation, Bank of America, and Valley United Way.
CCP Member News Links
Alexion Pharmaceuticals
Alexion Employees Volunteer Together in Company’s First Global Day of Service >>
Bank of America
More Than $300K in Funding to Enhance Community Revitalization >>
Branford Community Foundation
Foundation Invests $60K in Community >>
Children's Fund of Connecticut
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
New Online Series Highlights Good Work of Local Nonprofits >>
Latinos Urged To Switch Labels >>
Elm City Discusses Latino Politics >>
Scholarships From Milton Fisher Fund Award Creativity and Innovation >>
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
Foundation Gains 'Bulkeley Boys' Gift >>
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain
Foundation Grants Top $270K >>
Local Advisors Offer Sage Advice at Community Foundation Seminar >>
Connecticut Humanities
CT Humanities Awards $15K Grant for Connecticut Dances - A Visual History >>
Donaghue Foundation
Donaghue Awards Five Research Grants to Improve the Health of Elders in Care Facilities >>
Eversource
Hartford Marathon to Generate $13 Million In Economic Activity >>
Grossman Family Foundation; United Way of Western Connecticut
"Walking School Bus" to Build on Past Success >>
Guilford Foundation
Scholarships Go To Guilford High School Graduating Seniors >>
Guilford Art Center Launches Endowment Fund >>
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
Building On Success Grants to Support Smaller Nonprofit Organizations >>
Grants Support Goodwin College's South Meadows Nature Trail Expansion >>
The Melville Charitable Trust
Melville Announces Latest Grants to End Homelessness >>
Newman's Own Foundation
Foundation Commits $1M to Support Girls’ Education, Recognizing the International Day of the Girl >>
SI Financial Group Foundation
SI Financial Foundation Grant Helps Norwich Student’s Go Back to School >>
Savings Institute Bank & Trust Employees Donate $3000 to Local Causes >>
Travelers and theTravelers Foundation
2016 Travelers Championship Generates More Than $2.8M for Charity >>
United Technologies Corporation
UTC Volunteers Head Back to School and Volunteer for Green Apple Day of Service at Naylor School >>
United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
Local Manufacturing Companies Named National 2016 Young Adult Employer Champions >>
United Way of Western Connecticut
United Way Announces $91K Investment in Food Access >>
United Way Mobilizes More than 200 Volunteers on Annual Stamford Day of Action >>
Non-Member News Links
American Eagle Financial Credit Union
Credit Union Partners with United Way for Annual Year of Caring Project >>
Community Foundation of Middlesex County
Business Owners, Organizations, and Kids are Working Together to Stop Bullying >>
Deibold Family Foundation
Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation; United Way of Milford
Emotional Campaign Kickoff for United Way of Milford >>
Dime Bank Foundation
Foundation Awards Grant to Eastern Connecticut Transportation Consortium >>
Fairfield Rotary
Rotary Awards $75K to Fairfield Museum for Renovating Victorian Cottage >>
The Hartford
The Hartford’s National Athlete Ambassador Wins Male Athlete Of The Paralympic Games >>
Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation
IICF’s Northeast Division Awards Ten Local Community Grants in Connectict, New Jersey and NewYork >>
Joel E. Smilow
Philanthropist Donates $2.5M to Two New Haven Schools >>
Thompson Family Foundation
Foundation Gives $1M to Mystic Seaport >>
The Daniel Trust Foundation
From Refugee to Philanthropist: A story of Resilience and Courage >>
United Way of Southeastern Connecticut
United Way: What Do Donor Dollars Do? >>
Meera & Ashok Vasudevan Foundation
United Way of Western Connecticut Announces $91K Investment in Food Access >>
GRANTS and RFPS
Member Grants and RFPs
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
OCTOBER 15 - DECEMBER 31: Application deadlines - Final Round of Competitive Grants >>
Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation
NOVEMBER 1: Application deadline - Excellence in the Arts grants >>
Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
NOVEMBER 1: Letter of Intent (LOI) deadline - Regional Impact Grants for Norwich Youth, Southeast General and Willimantic Welfare Bureau; and Environmental and Animal Welfare Grants serving New London County >>
Nellie Mae Education Foundation
NOVEMBER 3: Proposal deadline - Developing a Student-Centered Assessment System: Research and Development Project >>
NOVEMBER 21: Proposal deadline - Evaluation of the League of Innovative Schools >>
NOVEMBER 22: Proposal deadline - Supporting and Developing Student-Centered Educators at Scale >>
NOVEMBER 22: Poposal Deadline - Quality Criteria and Principles >>
The Rock Fall Foundation
NOVEMBER 16: Regional Environmental Grants Cycle - with expanded geographic focus with Lyme and Old Lyme >>
The Melville Charitable Trust
NOVEMBER 18: Application deadline - Employment and Educational Opportunity Fund >>
NewAlliance Foundation
DECEMBER 1: Application deadline - Grants for Arts, Community Development, Health and Human Services, and Youth and Education >>
Branford Community Foundation
DECEMBER 31: Application deadline: Competitive Grant Cycle >>
Non-Member Grants and RFPs
Stanley Black & Decker
OCTOBER 28: Registration deadline - Brackets for Good - Greater Hartford Nonprofits >>
The Barr Foundation
NOVEMBER 14: RFP Release; FEBRUARY 15, 2017: Proposal deadline - Schools and programs for off-track students in New England >>
Serve Here CT
November 15: Extended enrollment deadline - Nonprofit employer and employee program >>
EVENTS and OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Survey to Assess Community Needs >>
NOW THRU OCTOBER 28:
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is conducting an online survey to deepen its understanding of the needs and priorities of residents in its four-county region. Full-time, part-time and seasonal residents of northwest Litchfield County (Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon and Warren) are encouraged to participate in the survey, which will be open through October 28 at www.BTCFsurvey.com. Berkshire Taconic aims to reach as many residents as possible so that a wide variety of voices and opinions are considered. Respondents over 18 who complete the survey will be eligible to enter a drawing for an iPad Pro.
NOW THRU NOVEMBER 19: 55 Liberty Bank Branches, 42 Rotary Clubs
Liberty Bank Fondation and Liberty Bank have teamed up with 42 local Rotary Clubs to make sure that struggling families can share in a bountiful Thanksgiving feast. Every dollar donated at a Liberty office will be matched with 25 cents from the Liberty Bank Foundation. On November 21st, the Rotary Clubs will withdraw the funds and either purchase and deliver food for needy families, or donate the funds to a local human service agency that provides Thanksgiving food. Since the Liberty Bank/Rotary Club Thanksgiving Dinner Drive began in 2004, it has provided over $1.4 million to put turkey and all the trimmings on the tables of families in need. Read more>>
Signature Breakfast: Investing in Women's Education >>
OCTOBER 28: 7:30 - 9:30 am, Hartford Marriot Downtown, Hartford
Aurora Women and Girls Foundation's Signature Breakfast will feature keynote speaker Angela Burt-Murray, a journalist, author, producer, and former editor-in-chief of Essence magazine, and cofounder of Cocoa Media Group, a digital media company that creates original video series and fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content for young women of color. The Foundation will also honor two indivduals: Louise Loomis, 2016 Philanthropist of the Year and Melanie Valdes, 2016 Young Philanthropist of the Year.
OCTOBER 28: Chelsea Piers, Stamford
Fairfield County's Community Foundation's Fund for Women and Girls is hosting a full-day program designed for middle school girls. The Girls Leadership Summit features communication, team-building, and leadership development workshops in a fun setting led by professionals in conjunction with high school girl leaders.
Leadership Succession and Sustainabilty Planning >>
OCTOBER 31: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, Holiday Inn, Norwich
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT are hosting a half-day workshop for nonprofits on how to build organizational capacity, strengthen leadership and prepare for the departure of key staff or volunteers.
Community RULER Presentation >>
NOVEMBER 1: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Fairfield University Alumni House, Fairfield
Sponsored by the Tauck Family Foundation, the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition and others, the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence will give a presentation on RULER, the Center’s evidence-based approach to teaching emotional intelligence. RULER is being implemented in the Bridgeport Public Schools and the community-at-large. Research has shown that social and emotional learning (SEL) programs like RULER can improve school climate and student outcomes by helping everyone involved to develop the skills they need to flourish in life – whether they are a teacher, student, administrator, or family member. RSVP mhernandez@bcacct.org, mcajigas@bcacct.org, 203-549-0075.
Collective Impact Seminar with John Kania >>
NOVEMBER 3: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, Vrissey Farm, Great Barrington, MA
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and Berkshire United Way invite nonprofit, business, government and civic leaders to attend “Collaboration for Results: The Principles and Practices of Collective Impact,” a capacity-building workshop with John Kania. Collective impact is a methodology that brings people together from different sectors to develop a shared agenda for achieving social change.
Purposeful Boards, Powerful Fundraising Workshop >>
NOVEMBER 4: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm, Four Points by Sheraton, Meriden
Liberty Bank Foundation is inviting nonprofits working in education, housing, and human services to attend this workshop with Chuck Loring, a nationally recognized expert on board governance and fundraising. Designed for board/CEO teams, this workshop addresses the complementary roles board members play in their organization’s governance and resource development.
Grant Proposal Certificate Program >>
NOVEMBER 9 & 16: Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging, Waterbury
Connecticut Community Foundation's two-day workshop, led by Diane Gedeon-Martin of The Write Source, LLC, will help participants identify potential grant makers, learn the elements of writing successful grant proposals, prepare a draft of their proposal including a logic model, and understand the challenges of being a grant reviewer. Participants must complete both days to receive the certificate.
Stamford Cradle to Career Launch >>
NOVEMBER 10: 8:30 - 11:30 am, UConn Stamford Campus, 1 University Place, Stamford
The Stamford Cradle to Career Initiative, for which United Way of Western Connecticut is a backbone organization, is launching their Community Action Networks and publically releasing their Baseline Community Report. The event will also feature a presentation by Jeff Edmondson, executive director of the National StriveTogether Partnership, who will give a national perspective on improving "Cradle to Career" outcomes.
Elections 2016 Impact on Government Grants >>
NOVEMBER 10: Public Library of New London, New London
Part of The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut and the New London Public Library's series of workshops to help New London County nonprofits better fulfill their missions, "Elections 2016 Impact on Government Grants" is designed for staff or volunteers seeking information about researching, writing and submitting grants. Key discussion point will include how to manage the changing landscape of government priorities for grants and contracts.
Farmington Bank Hosts Video Competition >>
DECEMBER 1: Entry and Video submission deadline
Farmington Bank is hosting a video competition about the importance of savings for teenage students in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Farmington Bank will select one winning video from each state to be showcased on their website and YouTube page. Plus, each winner will be awarded a $100 Visa® gift card. The winning videos selected by Farmington Bank will then be submitted to the national competition called Lights, Camera, Save! Video Contest, organized by the American Bankers Association Foundation.
Fairfield and Hartford Leadership Development Roundtable (LDR) >>
DECEMBER 2: Application deadline
The ZOOM Foundation's Leadership Development Roundtable (LDR) is an intensive program designed to accelerate the development of emerging leaders working to effect social change in Connecticut. LDR is entering its tenth year, having supported more than 195 rising leaders to grow their leadership skills and networks. LDR is recruiting for LDR-Fairfield and LDR-Hartford cohorts, with sessions slated to begin in January 2017. LDR is supported by Connecticut Community Foundation, Fairfield County's Community Foundation, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Lone Pine Foundation, and William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund.
Connecticut Bar Foundation Student Essay Contest >>
FEBRUARY 24: Submission deadline
The Connecticut Bar Foundation is pleased to announce the Seventeenth Annual James W. Cooper Fellows Quintin Johnstone Essay Contest. The 2016-2017 essay topic is “Taking a Knee or Taking a Stand." The contest winner will receive $2,000 and the two runners-up will receive $1,000. The contest is open to high school students, vocational-technical school students, students enrolled in a high school diploma credit program under the age of 21, and high school age home-schooled students.
THE POWER OF GOOD PEOPLE
Connecticut Authority Announces New Board Chair and New Board Appointee
Governor Dannel P. Malloy has appointed Peter W. Lisi, Ph.D. as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) and has appointed Mark Varholak as a member of the CHEFA Board. CHEFA provides access to the tax-exempt bond market for not-for-profit health care and educational institutions in the state.
Dr. Lisi has served as a member of the CHEFA Board of Directors for the last five years and was elected Vice Chair in 2013. He will replace Barbara Rubin, who retired as Chair in June, after 17 years of Board leadership. Dr. Lisi is Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs at the University of Hartford. Mr. Varholak, MBA/CPA, currently serves as the Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial
Officer for Quinnipiac University. Read more >>
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Welcomes Supreme Court Justice Richard A. Palmer to Board of Directors
Connecticut Supreme Court Associate Justice Richard N. Palmer has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Justice Palmer will serve on the board through 2021. Justice Palmer has served on the Connecticut Supreme Court since March 1993. Prior to being sworn in as an Associate Justice, he served as Chief States Attorney for the State of Connecticut and as United States Attorney General in Connecticut. Justice Palmer’s current professional affiliations include his service as Chair of the Criminal Justice Commission; Co-Chair of the Appellate Rules Committee; Co-Chair of the Federal-State Council; Co-Chair of the Legal Intern Committee; a member of the Board of Directors for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Connecticut, Inc. and the Justice Education Center; Life Fellow of the Connecticut Bar Foundation; and Special Trustee of the Anna Fuller Fund.
The Rockfall Foundation Welcomers New Staff Leadership
The Rockfall Foundation is pleased to announce their new staff leadership. Robin Andreoli is the new executive director and Tony Marino, who has been serving as interim executive director, is the associate director. Robin has worked extensively in the non-profit sector over the past twenty-three years as an executive director, fund development officer, and grants consultant. She most recently was the Director of Marketing and Fund Development for Earthplace in Westport. Tony has been a part of the Rockfall Foundation for more than twenty years, serving as a Director and President of the Board prior to joining the staff as Operations Manager in 2011. Read more >>
Watertown Foundation
Foundation honors Robert Labonne, Sr. >>
Westbrook Foundation
Tom ODell Honored for Advancing Conservation for Half a Century; Scholarship Named >>
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, Communications Manager. 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 in order to raise the profile of philanthropy throughout Connecticut. News about Connecticut funders may be submitted to CCP for consideration. 2016 Publication Dates: September 25; October 24; November 21; December 19. Submission Deadlines: Close of business one week before the publication date.