HARTFORD, CT -- DAVID NEE, executive director of the Hamdem-based William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, was named the recipient of the 2013 Martha S. Newman Award. David, a resident of Fairfield, was honored for his sustained dedication to the public sector and a generosity of spirit to others in the philanthropic community.
According to Karen Brown of the Fairfield County Community Foundation, “David demonstrates to me what it means to be a hands-on, highly engaged and ethical executive director.”
David’s leadership has been demonstrated in many areas over the years. In 1997, he played a critical role in the passage of School Readiness legislation. More recently he co-led work with the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy in creating the Connecticut Early Childhood Funders Collaborative which had had an impact on how the state views early childhood education.
David’s work with the Graustein Memorial Fund has taught many of his foundation colleagues about the importance of building community capacity in community planning and outcomes. Through both the Child First and Discovery Initiatives at the Fund, David and his team have significantly strengthened local communities’ ability to collect and use data to facilitate planning in early childhood education.
Most recently David has encouraged Connecticut foundations to consider the role they can play in reducing gun violence – from funding Connecticut-based advocacy organizations to examining investments in foundation endowments.
“David is not afraid to ask the hard questions and brings his colleagues together to have these difficult conversations.” commented Karen Brown.
About the Martha S. Newman Award
The award was established in 2007 by the Council to honor the life and work of Martha S. Newman, who before her death in 2005 served as a staff member for several grantmaking organizations. Her combination of firmness and gentleness, her work ethic, integrity and dedication, and her knowledge of community needs made her an invaluable staff member, mentor and friend. Martha Newman set the standard for an exemplary staff member. For more information about the Newman Award including previous recipients visit the Council’s website: https://www.ctphilanthropy.org/philanthropy-awards.
About the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy
The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy is a statewide association of foundations, corporate programs and other funds whose mission is to promote and support effective philanthropy in Connecticut. With members representing more than 105 private and community foundations, federated funds, 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 the State. For more information about the Council go to http://www.CTphilanthropy.org.
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Contact:
Maggie Osborn
Connecticut Council for Philanthropy
860-525-5585
mosborn@CTphilanthropy.org
Website: www.CTphilanthropy.org