Thursday, August 1, 2013
Summaries |
Partners seek to revitalize historic Waterbury neighborhood The Harold Webster Smith Foundation, NeighborWorks New Horizons and Webster Bank joined state and city leaders and project funders last month to break ground on a $3.8 million revitalization of homes in the historic Hillside neighborhood of Waterbury. According to organizers, the initial phase of the Waterbury Community Investment Project (WCIP) will combine the rehabilitation of five homes with streetscape and other public improvements, as well as acquiring properties for future development. In conjunction with the announcement, Webster Bank [www.websterbank.com] offered financial incentives for its employees who choose to rent or buy homes in Hillside. WCIP is funded by both public and private sources including: Harold Webster Smith Foundation, State of Connecticut Department of Housing, City of Waterbury, State of Connecticut Historic Preservation Office, Wells Fargo, American Savings Foundation, Connecticut Community Foundation, the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund. Other partners include the Quissenbery Arcari Architects, Quicquaro Architecture, Waterbury YMCA, the Mattatuck Museum, and the Historic Hillside Neighborhood Association. For more information: Tom Cruess, (203) 704-0728. |
Community Foundation supports key Shubert Theater renovation The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven will contribute $250,000 over the next five years for the renovation of the Shubert Theater in New Haven. "Since re-opening in the 1980s, the Shubert Theater has been a consistent force in creating downtown vibrancy," said William W. Ginsberg, Community Foundation president & CEO. "The Shubert Centennial Plan is the right strategy for the Theater's future." The Centennial Plan seeks to raise $7.1 million in public and private support for capital improvements, including a new orchestra shell and a flexible new performance venue, and $4 million in private support for a permanent endowment. For more information: Tricia Caldwell, (203) 777-7090, tcaldwell@cfgnh.org. |
| Land trusts find allies in preserving 130 acres of farmland Three land trusts will preserve 130 acres of farmland in Bolton, Ellington and Bloomfield, thanks to $365,000 in grants from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, plus support from the state of Connecticut, and other key funders. The Wintonbury Land Trust will purchase 45 acres known as Hawk Hill Farm, one of Bloomfield's oldest farms. The purchase preserves a significant wildlife corridor and an active farm, and is a critical piece of the proposed LaSalette Trail, which will link Bloomfield with The New England Scenic Trail. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is also involved. The Northern Connecticut Land Trust will purchase 70 acres in Ellington known as the Meyers Farm. The land trust plans to lease the fields to local farmers to keep the property as working farmland. There are also 20 acres of woodlands. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Bafflin Foundation also provided significant funding. The Manchester Land Conservation Trust has also purchased 13 acres known as the Risley Apple Orchard in Bolton. The property is located just south of the Risley Reservoir dam and is contiguous with Risley Park. For more information: George Chappell, (860) 548-1888, gchappell@hfpg.org. |
Waterbury, New Haven issue 36-hour local 'giving challenges' To celebrate its 90th anniversary, the Connecticut Community Foundation is coordinating Give Local Greater Waterbury & Litchfield Hills, a "challenge" to area residents to give generously online to the region's nonprofits over a 36-hour period from 7am November 12 to 7pm November 13. The effort is underwritten by Naugatuck Savings Bank Foundation and Crystal Rock. The community Foundation will be hosting five workshops between September 10-16 for nonprofits in its 21 towns to explain the initiative. "Give Local" is based on the successful three-year effort by the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, which is reprising its 36-hour effort on October 2-3 under the name "The Great Give 2013." CFGNH reports more than $1.3 million has been distributed in new and matching funds through its three previous giveGreater.org giving campaigns. For more information: Edwin Rodriguez, (203) 753-1315 x102, erodriguez@conncf.org; and Tricia Caldwell, (203) 777-7090, tcaldwell@cfgnh.org. |
| Students from China and Connecticut launch exchange venture Twenty high school students from Shanghai, China, and 20 high school students from Wallingford met in Connecticut this month to begin a first-of-its-kind, multi-year Junior Achievement (JA) exchange program, sponsored by United Technologies Corporation (UTC). The students hope to launch a joint venture in the coming school year. "By working together, the students from both countries will advance their understanding of the cultures and dynamics which fuel global marketplaces, and will be better prepared for the jobs opportunities ahead," said Lou Golden, president of JA of Southwest New England. Since 1998, UTC and its business units have donated more than $3 million to Junior Achievement, the company reports. For more information: Lou Golden, (860) 525-4510. |
Free energy assessments, services for New Haven neighborhoods With support from the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund and The United Illuminating Company (UI), Competitive Resources, Inc. (CRI) will provide energy assessments as well as possible free services to six New Haven neighborhoods to help reduce residents' energy bills. CRI will be canvassing Fair Haven, East Rock, Prospect Hill, Dixwell, Wooster Sq./Mill River, and Newhallville to:
The project hopes to reach more than 5,000 households this year. |
| Hygienic Art named 'Champion in Action' in arts and culture Citizens Bank and WTNH News 8 named Hygienic Art as their second 2013 Champion in Action in the category of arts and culture. They will give the New London-based group a $35,000 unrestricted grant, media coverage, and extensive promotional and volunteer support for its outstanding work. The grant will be used to expand the Hygienic's Do the Write Thing afterschool literacy program for inner city youth, as well as to create an Artist Entrepreneurial Academy offering a 12-month professional development program series on operating small arts businesses. Launched in 2002, Champions in Action has awarded 41 nonprofits more than $1 million in grants and promotional support in Connecticut. For more information: Kim Bartlett-Manisene, (203) 287-2823. |
FIND more news, SEND us your news & VISIT the press room For more philanthropy news go to the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy's press room and the Connecticut Philanthropy Digest archives. Funders, please email us your news and feedback. |
Transitions and Announcements |
| Lincoln Financial invites applicants for $50,000 "Legacy Award" Lincoln Financial Group is offering the Lincoln's Legacy Award, an annual award of $50,000 over three years, to a nonprofit improving high school graduation rates and college preparedness through mentoring, tutoring, and technology training. The application deadline is September 13. Full information and applications are available at Lincoln Financial's website. |
| Free legal seminar for nonprofits September 11 in Danbury Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals will be repeating last year's popular free seminar on key legal issues for Connecticut nonprofit and social service organizations. This year's program, which will include new content, will be held Wednesday, September 11 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Danbury. No legal background is necessary and nonprofits can send more than one employee, if they wish. For more information: Ann Wainright, (203) 791-6318, ann.wainright@boehringer-ingelheim.com. |
After serving as president of the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation for 12 years, STEWART HUDSON has accepted a new position as Vice President & Executive Director of Audubon Connecticut, effective September 3. During his tenure, he directed the foundation's grant making in clean energy and climate protection, learning disabilities and contemporary visual art which together constituted a portfolio of over $45 million in grants. He also played a central role in the management of the foundation's $85 million endowment. Currently, Hudson serves on the Keystone Energy Board and the Coalition for Green Capital. He is also on the advisory board of the Yale Center for Business and the Environment, Environment Northeast and is a member of Friends of the Connecticut Mirror. |
WAYNE S. RAWLINS, M.D., National Medical Director, Racial and Ethnic Equality Initiative at Aetna, was recently elected to serve as chair of the board of directors of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. The following people were also chosen as new board members:
|
The Connecticut Philanthropy Digest is brought to you by the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy. News about member funders may be submitted to the Council for consideration. |
  |