Nonprofit organizations across Greater Hartford continue to face an increased demand for services while they struggle to raise adequate revenue. Some are working to meet this challenge through social enterprise: selling a product or service that complements their mission and supports the financial sustainability of the organization.

To support these efforts, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving launched the Social Enterprise Accelerator in partnership with No Margin, No Mission, a national consulting firm dedicated to helping nonprofits increase their entrepreneurial capacity, revenue, and mission impact. The first cohort of ten nonprofits was launched in 2018; the second cohort of six nonprofits was launched in 2021; a third cohort of eight nonprofits was launched in 2023;and a fourth cohort of four is currently engaged in the process. Collectively, the 28 organizations have generated more than $16 million in revenue to date from their ventures.

In June, the Foundation announced a matching challenge: 100 percent of every dollar of startup or growth capital raised by the four nonprofits in the current cohort (up to $30,000 per organization) would be matched by the Foundation. The four organizations raised sufficient dollars by the deadline to make them eligible for more than $101,000 in matching grants from the Foundation. 

Each organization held a “Fast Pitch” session at which they presented their business plans to current and potential donors and made a direct ask for financial support toward startup capital needs. The matching challenge officially ended in October. However, the four organizations are continuing to raise capital for their ventures.

“The enthusiasm and effort that area nonprofit organizations have brought to the Social Enterprise Accelerator program has exceeded our expectations,” said Associate Director of the Hartford Foundation’s Nonprofit Support Program, Meher Shulman. “While the creative ideas these organizations have been building are truly exciting, we are even more impressed by their level of commitment to developing detailed and viable business plans. Nonprofits in Greater Hartford have an appetite for social enterprise and a need for new revenue sources. We are proud to help them meet that need.”

The four nonprofit organizations and their social enterprises are:

• Charter Oak Cultural Center – has raised $71,000 in startup capital (includes $30,000 in Hartford Foundation matching funds) to support Bien Venue, venue rentals in the building’s historic sanctuary, galleries, classrooms, and other spaces. Bookings may be enhanced with arts and cultural programs, workshops and community engagement activities.
   
• Ebony Horsewomen - has raised $23,000in startup capital (includes $11,531 in Hartford Foundation matching funds) to support Black Boots Venue Rentals, at the Mary Fields Museum, Conference Center, and Tent Pavilion.  Events may be enhanced with optional equine experiences, including horseback riding, hayrides, sleigh rides, and more.
   
• Journey Home – has raised $114,000in startup capital (includes $30,000 in Hartford Foundation matching funds) to support Home for Good, a thrift store offering high-quality, gently-used household items and furniture at deeply discounted prices.
   
• Our Piece of the Pie (OPP) - has raised $63,500 in startup capital (includes $30,000 in Hartford Foundation matching funds) to support OPPU, empowering youth-serving social service professionals and providers through comprehensive training and development programs.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding towns. Through partnerships, the Foundation seeks to strengthen communities in Greater Hartford by putting philanthropy in action to dismantle structural racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $1 billion since its founding in 1925. For more information, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.

This year to-date, the Hartford Foundation has awarded $2.5 million to key nonprofits throughout Greater Hartford specifically addressing hunger. By year end, the foundation will have awarded nearly $8 million in grants for a range of basic needs. These grants include the Foundation’s annual Basic Human Needs Emergency Assistance grants where more than 60 percent of funding supports food assistance. This year, a total of $755,000 has been granted to 70 nonprofits, including faith-based and mutual aid organizations. All Foundation grants are made using an equity lens, acknowledging that barriers to meeting basic needs disproportionately impact people of color and women.

Foundation-directed dollars are further enhanced by generous donors who prioritize basic needs through their donor advised funds. Above beyond the $8 million referenced above, the Foundation deployed $3 million earlier this year to the 29 Greater Together Community Funds  where resident volunteers have chosen to award much of these funds to organizations supporting the immediate, basic needs of their neighbors.  

“Our investments support the entire food security ecosystem – from organizations that tackle systemic issues, distribute and coordinate food across our region, and mobilize community partners and volunteers to work on long-term solutions to food insecurity to the hundreds of hyper-local food pantries that directly provide food to residents,” said Vice President, Community Impact, Elysa Gordon. “We strive to provide stable, steady support while ensuring that we are nimble to help community partners navigate an uncertain and rapidly changing environment.”

As a community foundation, the Hartford Foundation’s grantmaking uniquely focuses on individual nonprofits and the adjacent systems and services that impact food security and other basic needs. This includes nonprofits that provide rent and utility assistance and accessible health services, knowing that too many residents must make untenable choices between paying for food, housing costs, and health care. It means investing in the region’s legal aid and advocacy organizations that address the root causes of poverty. The Foundation also provides ongoing support to DataHaven and CT Data in providing current, actionable data on food security and basic needs in the Greater Hartford region and towns. 

The Foundation will continue to balance sustained and emergency support across the region – please join us in making a difference in your local community. You can give directly to the community partners working every day to improve food security, or, if you prefer, you can contribute to our Action Fund for Basic Human Needs. When you donate to this fund, we partner with local nonprofits and quickly put your support to work where it is needed most.

Foundation partners helping to address food security and emergency needs include:

Connecticut Foodshareis the food bank serving the people of Connecticut and a partner food bank of Feeding America’s nationwide network. In Connecticut, more than 516,000 or 1 in 7 people are food insecure. That includes more than 122,000 or 1 in 6 children. Connecticut Foodshare distributes food to 480+ agency partners (food pantries, community kitchens, shelters) and more than 100 mobile food pantry locations. In 2025, Foodshare received more than $210,000 in Hartford Foundation-designated and donor-advised grants. 

End Hunger Connecticut!is a statewide anti-hunger and food security organization. By focusing on advocacy, outreach, education and research, EHC! serves as a comprehensive anti-hunger resource for policymakers, community organizers and low-income families. At the end of 2024, the Hartford Foundation awarded End Hunger Connecticut a $120,000 core support grant. 

Midwest Food Bank New Englandbegan serving neighbors from its facility in Manchester in 2021. Its mission to nourish body and soul galvanizes a dedicated community of volunteers who donate over 35,000 hours annually. Midwest Foodbank rescues and distributes millions of pounds of food to 155 agencies across Connecticut and beyond, without cost. Over the past several years, Midwest Food bank has received nearly $128,000 in Foundation designated, donor-advised, and community funds grants, including a $100,000 core support grant. 

Hands On Hartfordis dedicated to supporting individuals and families in Hartford by providing a range of services that address basic needs and promote long-term stability. This includes programs such as the MANNA Community Pantry, Gather55, a participation model restaurant open to all, regardless of ability to pay, and a Backpack Nutrition Program that provides Hartford students with weekend meals, snacks, and additional essentials. In 2025, Hands On Hartford received nearly $660,000 in Foundation designated and donor advised grants, including a three-year, $600,000 core support grant. 

Chrysalis Centerhelps individuals living below the poverty level and struggling with food insecurity, dealing with substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, release from incarceration and homelessness. Chrysalis Center’s Food Hub includes a variety of programs and initiatives which address the critical issue of food insecurity and the lack of fresh and nutritious foods in the community, The nonprofit employs innovative and hands-on approaches including its Freshplace  client-choice, fresh food, and case management food pantry located on its main campus in Hartford. Over the past several years Chrysalis has received nearly $500,000 in donor advised and foundation designated grants, including a three-year, $300,000 core support grant. 

Chicks Ahoy Farmis a Bloomfield based nonprofit working to increase the number of farmers of color in Connecticut. This work includes the Co-op2Kitchen a farmer-supported mutual aid project helping people meet immediate needs around food and basic human needs by providing fresh produce, chicken eggs, and other items. Since 2023, Chicks Ahoy has received nearly $124,000 in Hartford Foundation grants. 

The Foundation’s Emergency Assistance Grants focus on increasing access to food and addressing immediate needs such as personal care items (e.g., deodorant, diapers), utility assistance, emergency transportation, and other items essential to wellbeing (such as reading glasses and assistive canes). 

The Foundation released the first round of its 2025 Emergency Assistance grants in July; the second round of grants was approved in October. These grants support both regional and local agencies in Greater Hartford. Grants range from $2,000 and $20,000 through support from the Foundation’s discretionary funding and in partnership with the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation Fund at the Hartford Foundation.

Hartford Foundation Second Round of 2025 Basic Human Needs Grants

 The first round of 2025 Emergency Assistance Grants were awarded in July to the following organizations:

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding towns. Through partnerships, the Foundation seeks to strengthen communities in Greater Hartford by putting philanthropy in action to dismantle structural racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $1 billion since its founding in 1925. For more information, visitwww.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888. 

Upon learning of the incident, the Foundation reached out to Old Lyme Animal Control Officer Lynn Philemon to offer urgent assistance. CFECT is matching dollar-for-dollar the $4,500 raised by community members during an October 4 fundraiser and will continue to provide support as needed to help cover veterinary treatment and recovery costs.

“When we heard what had happened, we reached out right away to offer our support,” said Maryam Elahi, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut. “The full cost of this harm isn’t yet known, but we stand side-by-side with the community to do what’s right as the details continue to unfold. Our donors and Board have long prioritized the well-being of animals and the health of our shared environment. We are matching local fundraising efforts to ensure that every animal rescued from this heartbreaking situation receives the medical attention, care, and compassion they deserve — and ultimately finds a safe, loving home.”

The 20 dogs, along with several birds and chinchillas, were rescued in July from unsafe living conditions and are now under veterinary care or in foster homes awaiting adoption. The animals continue to require extensive medical treatment — from tumor removals and dental surgeries to spay, neuter, and heart evaluations — with total costs estimated at more than $20,000.

The Foundation’s support for this effort builds on its longstanding commitment to animal welfare and environmental stewardship across its 42-town region. Since 2015, CFECT has advanced the work of environmentally focused and animal-protective nonprofits, including through dedicated funds such as the Peter Grayson Letz Fund for Animals and the Environment and the Mary Janvrin and Natalie Janvrin Wiggins Fund for Birds, Other Animals and Nature. These funds have enabled the Foundation to invest in conservation, rescue, education, and policy reform throughout Eastern Connecticut.

“Our role is to listen, respond, and mobilize resources when our community — including its most vulnerable beings — needs us most,” Elahi added. “This grant reflects the compassion of our donors and our shared belief that caring for animals is essential to building healthy, resilient communities.”

So far in 2025, the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut has provided more than $86,000 in grants specifically dedicated to animal welfare, supporting veterinary care, adoption services, spay and neuter programs, and community-based rescue initiatives across the region.
The Foundation continues to partner with municipalities and nonprofit organizations to ensure the well-being of both people and animals through responsive grantmaking and donor-advised support.

About the Community Foundation
Serving 42 towns and comprised of over 630 charitable funds, the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut’s vision is a healthy, thriving, sustainable Eastern Connecticut with greater equity for all. We collaborate with partners to put philanthropy into action to address the needs, rights and interests of our community in Eastern Connecticut. The Community Foundation manages a permanent community endowment and has awarded over $110 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofits and students since its founding in 1983. To learn more, visit cfect.org.

“What makes this recognition special for me is that it is based solely on our staff’s feedback, and I’m honored we received this award for the second year in a row. Our staff is United Way’s greatest asset, and we are committed to prioritizing culture and employee engagement within our organization,” said Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.

United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut had 41 full-time and nine contracted employees at the time of the survey, with thirty nine percent (39%) of its workforce having more than 5 years of tenure. As part of its new strategic vision, the organization is working to end poverty in the 860 region by closing gaps in child literacy, wages, housing and life expectancy.

“The employment engagement survey has been a valuable tool the organization has used to measure employee satisfaction, morale and engagement levels. Employee comments included in the survey are a gift that assists in shaping our strategies to attract and retain top talent,” reflected Helen Bergin, Human Resources Director at United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

In addition to this award, United Way recently announced the recognition of its Director of Marketing and Communications, Kate Blackburn, as a 2025 Hartford Business Journal 40 Under Forty Honoree.

Arts and culture offerings that reflect all residents are fundamental to a thriving Greater Hartford. Local artists through theaters, galleries, festivals, and creative spaces, and organizations are building a community where everyone’s stories are represented, and everyone feels at home.

As part of its Centennial, the Hartford Foundation is proud to announce a $6 million investment in arts and culture over the next two years — a comprehensive initiative designed to launch the next century of creativity. This investment builds on the wisdom shared by the Foundation’s Artists of Color Unite! Advisory Group.

“For a century, the Hartford Foundation has been committed to building and strengthening our region’s arts and culture ecosystem, said Foundation President and CEO Jay Williams. “As a funder of arts and cultural organizations large and small, we seek to ensure that inclusion flows through every aspect of the arts and culture sector, from the people who create -- to the programs that inspire -- to the organizations that lead.”

The Centennial Arts and Culture Investment includes:

o $4 million in one-time “Appreciation Grants” to 48 arts and culture organizations across 13 towns in the region. 

o $1 million over two years to continue and deepen investment in the Artists of Color Accelerateprogram that supports a dual-benefit residency model to create and expand opportunities for local creatives by connecting them as fellows with host arts organizations.

o $460,000 over two years to launch Greater Hartford Creatives Alliance, a professional development and grant program for independent creatives through a new partnership with Assets for Artists (A4A). 

o $400,000 over one year to launch new partnership with CT Humanities to offer a grant and capacity building program for smaller cultural nonprofits and historical societies throughout Greater Hartford.

Arts and Culture Appreciation Grants

All arts and culture organizations that have received Hartford Foundation-directed grants since 2022 were eligible for the Arts and Culture Appreciation grants. The Foundation aimed to provide close to 10 percent of the nonprofit organization’s operating budget (with the exception of the largest arts and cultureorganizations).

These organizations include:

Artists of Color Accelerate

The Artists of Color Accelerate (AOCA) fellowship program was created on the recommendation of Artists of Color Unite! The program launched its first cohort of ten artists in 2023, a second cohort of ten artists in 2024, and a third cohort this year. This dual-benefit residency model was designed to create andexpand opportunities for local creatives by connecting them with well-established arts organization hosts. The program provides new opportunities for artists to showcase their talent while supporting host sites seeking to diversify their artist networks. 

“The Hartford Foundation’s re-investment in Artists of Color Accelerate will allow us to ensure sustainability while we expand and evolve, building upon the success of our first three cohorts” said AOCA program director and inaugural AOCA fellow Andre Rochester. “Artist fellows have reported increased bookings, projects, and a heightened sense of entrepreneurial prowess. They challenge themselves by using this experience to develop projects that thrive on collaboration. This program has allowed participants to do more of what they love by providing resources to create art that will have a lasting impact in our community. The host sites have also seen the benefits of participation by deepening their professional relationships and have created more paid opportunities for local artists. AOCA is a catalyst for partnerships that strengthen the connection between arts institutions and our local Artist of Color community."

Assets for Artists’ Greater Hartford Creatives Alliance

In partnership with Assets for Artists (A4A), the Foundation is supporting Greater Hartford Creatives Alliance, a comprehensive professional development and grant program that empowers artists with financial literacy, business development, coaching, peer networking, and project funding to ensure long-term career sustainability. A4A has previously supported similar efforts in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York City, and Maine working with community foundations and other funders. 

With a focus on low-to-moderate-income artists, the ten-month program provides equitable access to critical resources. Artists will receive strategic career guidance to strengthen financial sustainability and artistic impact and participate in community building events including in-person gatherings and collaborative working groups as well as cohort gatherings for connection and peer learning.

Over two years, the program will feature two cohorts of ten artists each from across the region. Direct financial support is a key component of the program, including a $5,000 project grant and an unrestricted grant of $10,000 for each artist. Participating artists will also receive a combination of self-directed and group professional development as well as priority access to A4A’s professional development workshops. A4A staff and trainers will provide individualized support in service of each artist's creative professional goals. Applications for the program are expected to be open in March/April of 2026.

"This transformative investment by the Hartford Foundation builds upon important previous efforts and will further position Greater Hartford to grow a more thriving artist community," said Blair Benjamin, A4A's Founder and Executive Director. "We are so excited to deepen our connections with artists and partner organizations across Greater Hartford, bringing proven tools and resources to strengthen the careers of artists whose contributions to their communities are profound but often underappreciated."

Connecticut Humanities Partnership

Connecticut Humanities is launching a pilot capacity building program for small to mid-size arts, history, and cultural organizations in the Hartford Foundation’s 29 town region. The program will bring together a cohort of 10-16 organizations that will be selected through an open application process in early 2026. The cohort will participate in professional development and opportunities to learn from one another to better serve their communities. The goal is to help these organizations become more resilient by improving sustainability, community participation, and service while fostering a more inclusive and diverse arts and culture ecosystem.

 "Helping to realize the health and vibrancy of our cultural organizations is very much at the center of everything we do in Connecticut,” said Connecticut Humanities Executive Director Jason Mancini. “Weare so pleased to partner with the Foundation to build capacity, resiliency, and sustainability for these community anchors."

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding towns. Through partnerships, the Foundation seeks to strengthen communities in Greater Hartford by putting philanthropy in action to dismantle structural racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $1 billion since its founding in 1925. For more information, visitwww.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888. 

In celebration of this milestone, the Foundation is hosting The Main Event 30th Anniversary Celebration – Meet Us On Main Street at the Aqua Turf Club on September 13, 2025. The evening will have an elevated hometown celebration atmosphere with fabulous food, roaming entertainment, live and silent auctions as well as a wonderful opportunity for all to join in a memorable celebration. Proceeds from the event will support MSCF’s community leadership efforts, also known as “Money in Motion,” an unrestricted fund that is used to address the ever-changing needs of the local community. Seats are $125 per person and can be purchased through the end of August by contacting Main Street Community Foundation.

The idea of an event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Main Street Community Foundation would not have even crossed the minds of the small group of community leaders who began discussing the creation of a community foundation back in the early 1970s. It began with Bob Merriman, Sherwood Anderson, and Ed Lorenson considering the idea that in addition to giving to specific charities, local residents should have the opportunity to give to a community foundation where all needs of the community would be considered. The first formal conversation occurred with these three individuals, as well as Hap Barnes, C. Stewart Anthony, and Terry Fletcher, in 1974 where they decided to start such an organization when there was both enough money and community interest. In 1993, after many years of careful planning and a bank merger, $500,000 was set aside to be used to start a community foundation. From that point a core group of Bristol area citizens - Edward Lorenson, Bob Merriman, Hap Barnes, David Preleski, John Smith, Terry Fletcher, Chris Ziogas, and Sherwood Anderson - met monthly for two years in order to ensure the establishment of a community foundation would succeed. In the spring of 1995, MSCF was incorporated, by the fall, I. R. S. approval was secured, and the first grants totaling $70,600 were awarded in 1996.

“MSCF is deeply proud of this history and grateful for the foresight of its Founders. The Founders’ vision was to create a place that serves as a single point of entry for anyone’s charitable goals, and every day we are able to show our community that philanthropy can be for everyone,” said Susan Sadecki, President & CEO of Main Street Community Foundation. "Community foundations are all about convening and helping to develop collaborative solutions. That's what we strive to be part of all while honoring the charitable intentions of our donors."

The Main Event will honor the history of the Foundation, celebrate its accomplishments, and recognize MSCF’s Founders and donors. The event will culminate in the announcement of ten Circa 1995 Grants, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000; all attendees will participate in the selection of the recipients by casting a vote that evening. A total of $30,000 will be awarded from the Bristol Savings Bank Fund to celebrate the Foundation’s 30th anniversary. Ten local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations were selected from an applicant pool and challenged with providing a vision for how their organization will make a difference in the next 30 years. You can view the finalists and read their responses on the MSCF website: www.mainstreetfoundation.org/circa1995grants.
To learn more about the event, Main Street Community Foundation, and the ways in which they support your local community, visit mainstreetfoundation.org/30-anniversary.

This year, the demand for support was greater than ever. VCF received more than $1.8 million in total grant requests for multi-year support, including $674,000 in applications for 2025 alone. With limited funding available, VCF was forced to make some difficult decisions.

“While we are grateful to support so many outstanding organizations and initiatives, prioritizing funding is always difficult especially when the need is so great,” said Sandra Arburr, VCF’s new Grants and Nonprofit Support Manager. “We saw a significant increase in multi-year requests om nonprofits who are trying to build stability and plan for the future. Forecasting available funds over the next few years is a strategic challenge, and sometimes we have to fund only the first year and ask applicants to reapply. It’s not a reflection of the worthiness of their work, it’s about managing VCF resources responsibly.”

When it looked like some vital programs might go unfunded, the Valley’s deep-rooted spirit of giving -- what VCF calls Valleyness -- kicked into high gear. Four donor-advised fundholders at VCF stepped up by using their funds to fill critical gaps and ensure basic needs programs got the support they deserve.

“This is what Valleyness looks like in action,” said Sharon Closius, VCF’s President and CEO. “Our fundholders didn’t just see a problem, they responded with heart, purpose, and generosity.”

In total, more than $200,000 in grants came directly from VCF fundholders this year to support Valley nonprofits. Also, every dollar donated to VCF during the 2025 Great Give was funneled right back into the Responsive Grant Program -- amplifying the impact even further.

“We are seeing a growing need across the Valley, especially in basic needs like food, housing, and health services. Each year, we have more worthy requests than we can fulfill,” Closius said. “Thanks to these very generous donors, we’re able to say yes to more and provide long-term stability to organizations that serve our most vulnerable residents.”

The full list of 2025 VCF Responsive Grantees includes:

Single-Year Grants

• Echo Hose Hook and Ladder Ambulance Corp. – $25,000
• Housatonic Council, Boy Scouts of America – $35,000
• Shelton Economic Development Corporation – $15,000
• St. Vincent de Paul of the Valley – $34,000
• Storm Engine Company Ambulance & Rescue Corps. – $26,000
• Valley Shakespeare Festival – $30,000

Two-Year Grants

• Griffin Hospital – $50,000
• Life Health and Wellness Center – $45,000
• Massaro Community Farm – $49,000
• Moving with Health Oriented Physical Education Inc. – $18,000

Three-Year Grants

• cARTie – $35,000
• Central Connecticut Coast YMCA – $60,000
• Christ Episcopal Church – $74,000
• Hope Counseling and Behavioral Health Center – $85,000
• Seymour Oxford Food Bank – $74,000
• Traveler on a Mission – $57,000

The VCF Responsive Grant Program is designed to address the Valley’s evolving needs by responding to the requests of nonprofit organizations that demonstrate impact, collaboration, and sustainability. VCF evaluates each application with a focus on community benefit, financial soundness, and long-term vision.

To learn more about the Valley Community Foundation’s grantmaking or to contribute to one of its many charitable funds, visit ValleyFoundation.Org.

About the Valley Community Foundation:

Established in 2004, each year the Valley Community Foundation (VCF) distributes approximately $2 million in grants that support local nonprofits and people they serve. In addition to grantmaking, VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (TCF) to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton and receives funding from The Gates Fund and other preference funds at TCF that benefit the Valley. For more information, visit ValleyFoundation.org. Valley Community Foundation, 253-A Elizabeth Street, Derby CT, 06418. Office: (203) 751-9162.

This year, the program received nearly 30 requests from nonprofits, faith organizations, Neighborhood Revitalization Zones (NRZs), and residents looking to beautify their community and create a sense of unity. Grants recipients were chosen by a panel of Hartford residents, city staff members, as well as Hartford Foundation staff. 

From the restoration of a basketball court and labyrinth to painted murals, new landscaping and community gardening, each organization has practical ideas that correspond with neighborhood and city plans, and 16 of them were awarded grants to begin their community projects. Twelve projects received Hartford Foundation community grant awards totaling $155,580 over one year. The four, $2,500 Hartford Foundation resident grant projects will be funded through a pass-through grant to Hartford Next.

"The Love Your Block initiative embodies the spirit of Hartford, empowering our residents to lead the transformation of their own neighborhoods, one block at a time," said Mayor Arulampalam. "This year, with the generous partnership of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, we are investing over $165,000 into 16 incredible community-led projects that will enhance our green spaces, beautify our public areas, and strengthen the bonds that make our city so unique. These grants are a testament to the creativity and dedication of our community, and I am proud of every grant recipient for taking the lead and working to build a more vibrant and unified Hartford for everyone."

"For the past six years, the Hartford Foundation has proudly partnered with the City of Hartford along with community organizations and local residents as they continue to use their creativity and ingenuity to develop projects to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods," said Hartford Foundation President and CEO Jay Williams. "This year’s projects offer numerous examples of the commitment of Hartford residents to revitalize neighborhoods one block at a time, not only connecting residents with one another, but also building a sense of pride. Love Your Block is effective because it recognizes that residents are the most knowledgeable about neighborhood needs and are best equipped to identify beautification activities. Love Your Block ensures that they have the tools and resources they need to make their visions a reality."

This round of Love Your Block Community Grants includes:

The program prioritizes nonprofits that serve neighborhoods and towns in the region with a higher percentage of residents living in poverty, seek to reduce barriers to equitable access to basic needs, and provide direct support to clients. Grants are made using an equity lens, acknowledging that many of these barriers disproportionately impact people of color.  

Gentle Love Connections, a Manchester-based organization with a focus on babies and toddlers, is one of the 36 organizations to receive a BHN Emergency Assistance grant. Operating as a diaper pantry, the nonprofit provides baby necessities to families who cannot afford the nearly $100 monthly cost per child.  In 2020, then-10th grader Kyle Zingler established Gentle Love Connections; since that time, the organization has distributed more than 600,000 diapers to marginalized and low-income families with the help of several community partners. The nonprofit also distributes car seats and “Get Out and Play Kits,” which contain sunscreen, bug spray, a first aid kit, an activity booklet, and other items that promote safe engagement with the outdoors. Thanks to the $10,000 BHN grant from the Foundation, Gentle Love Connections can deepen its services and impact in their existing region.   

“This grant will support our East of the River Diaper Program, which provides more than 400 children every month in the Manchester, East Hartford, Vernon and South Windsor communities with a supply of 50 diapers,” says Zingler. 

 As the young founder nears the end of his undergraduate studies at Fordham University, the future and sustainability of the organization is one of his top priorities.   

“I see Gentle Love Connections with its own space, a full-time executive director and an annual budget of around $1.2 million,” said Zingler. “I also see us having our own van to do mobile outreach and attend a greater number of community events. I hope to build-up the organization and pass the torch to a competent leader.”

Most of this year’s grant requests were food-related, highlighting the shared goal between the Foundation and on-the-ground organizations of building food security amongst all residents in Greater Hartford.  

With meals and groceries as the top priority, since 1972, the Horace Bushnell Children's Food Pantry continues working tirelessly to end food insecurity among Hartford area residents.

“Groceries have become more expensive, and for many families, it is a daily struggle to afford necessities,” said Horace Bushnell’s executive director LisaMarie Sykes. “Many neighbors, classmates and coworkers do not have reliable access to enough food. Without the resources we provide, many would go hungry. We are not just handing out food, we are offering hope, stability, and dignity to people in crisis. This grant will help to ensure that we can help to build a stronger community where no one is left behind.”

These grants support both regional and local agencies in Greater Hartford to stabilize individuals and families experiencing crises and financial stress. Grants range from $3,000 to $30,000 and are primarily funded through the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation Fund at the Hartford Foundation with additional dollars from other generous donors and the Foundation’s discretionary funding. 

The 36 grants awarded include:   

• Twenty-Three are primarily for food or food assistance ($275,000).  
• Five are primarily for emergency financial aid assistance ($60,000).  
• Three are primarily for personal care items ($28,000).  
• Two are for organizations to provide emergency case management ($30,000).  
• Three are for emergency clothing needs ($17,500).  

"The Foundation is proud to announce our continued support for programs and services that address the full spectrum of basic human needs,” expressed Hartford Foundation Community Impact Officer Bria Muwanguzi. “Addressing basic needs goes beyond just food and personal care; the latest round of grants recognizes that individuals and families in crisis often have other needs, including case management, rent and/or utility assistance, emergency shelter, transportation, and medical aid. The services our nonprofit partners provide help community members across the Foundation's 29-town region regain stability and dignity in their lives."  

Hartford Foundation First Round of 2025 Basic Human Needs Grants:

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding towns. Through partnerships, the Foundation seeks to strengthen communities in Greater Hartford by putting philanthropy in action to dismantle structural racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $1 billion since its founding in 1925. For more information, visitwww.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888. 

Executive Director Liza Janssen Petra stated, “The TGF Board is pivotal in guiding our strategic vision, ensuring financial integrity, advancing our grantmaking initiatives, and broadening our network of supporters. We are thrilled to welcome individuals who not only share a deep passion for Guilford but are also dedicated to fostering its growth and prosperity.” 
The Foundation welcomes Kristopher Cricchi, Julie Paquette, and NicCole Schlagheck to the 16-person Board of Directors, who will use their experience to make Guilford an even better place through TGF’s leadership, grantmaking, scholarships, and sponsorship awards.   
As the 1st Vice President and Controller at Ascend Bank (formerly GSB), Kristopher Cricchi brings over a decade of experience in finance and risk management. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and community service. He is a recognized leader in the banking industry and is passionate about enhancing his hometown of Guilford.   

With over 20 years of experience in energy and sustainability within the built environment, Julie Paquette serves as the Director of Engineering & Energy Management and co-teaches at Yale University. She is a tireless advocate for sustainability and community engagement. Her extensive knowledge of high-performance building technologies and project management, combined with her volunteer roles at Sustainable Step New England and Sustainable Guilford, makes her a valuable asset to the Board.  

NiCole Schlagheck is currently the Manager of Business Process Improvement at Henry Schein. Her expertise is in solving complex problems and optimizing operations to improve business performance. Outside of her professional career, she has held many community volunteer and leadership roles, including The Guilford Foundation Fund for Education, Guilford High School Connections (a parent volunteer organization), Community Soup Kitchen in New Haven, and Guilford Youth Mentoring.   

Six-year board member Chris Hodgson steps into the role of Board Chair. He recently chaired the Governance and Nominating Committee, providing oversight on Board effectiveness, policies, and recruitment. Chris is a senior partner with Bercham Moses, where he practices labor and employment law.  

As the Foundation welcomes this new leadership, it would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to Alexander Sulpasso (Board Chair) and Betsy Gribble (Development Committee Member), who have been instrumental in TGF’s remarkable growth. Since they joined in 2019, net assets have grown from $2.9 million to an impressive $7.9 million, while grant distribution nearly tripled from $145,000 to $359,000.  

“We are incredibly grateful for the leadership and dedication that Alex and Betsy have provided to the Guilford Foundation. Their vision has helped us grow significantly and set a solid foundation for the next 50+ years,” explained Petra. “We welcome our new Board members. These experienced and passionate individuals underscore our commitment to expanding our community impact.”   

To learn more about our Board of Directors or the Foundation’s mission, visit the guilfordfoundation.org.   
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About The Guilford Foundation
The Guilford Foundation is a trusted philanthropic partner established in 1975 when seven friends organized an effort to beautify the area around the town green. In 2025, the organization is celebrating its 50th anniversary. 

To ensure the perpetuity of their vision, the founders established a source for long-term funding. Over the past four decades, this endowment has expanded in scope and impact and now exceeds $7.9 million, awarding over $2 million in grants and scholarships since 2010. Areas of distribution include animal welfare, arts/culture/heritage, basic needs, community improvement & vitality, education, environment & sustainability, wellness & mental health, human services, children & youth, and seniors.   

The mission of The Guilford Foundation is to enrich the quality of life in the community by connecting people who care with causes that matter, now and for generations to come. TGF is recognized as a responsive, collaborative, and trusted leader that takes the long view toward making a lasting impact in the community. 

For more information about The Guilford Foundation, visit guilfordfoundation.org.

The new organization will serve one third of the state’s population across 56 cities and towns.

“We are thrilled to form this alliance built on a foundation of shared purpose, complementary strengths, and a strong history of collaboration,” said Eric Harrison, President and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “By aligning operations and combining resources, we will be better positioned to increase our impact in early childhood education, financial stability and homelessness while creating operational efficiencies, and strengthening our collective voice across the 860 region. This is a win for the communities we serve and our entire United Way network,” added Harrison.

As part of this effort, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut will continue to build on its community engagement model which will now include:

A newly formed Regional Advisory Board, made up of cross-sector volunteers focused on community impact and input, will represent United Way of West Central Connecticut and the communities they serve, led by the current Board Chair of United Way of West Central Connecticut, Rachel Beckwith.

Design workgroups with United Way’s strategic partners, stakeholders and residents who will collaborate to create systems change.

“Our team and board members are excited for the new opportunity ahead. While the alliance will integrate operations with United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut it will also fully honor and preserve the distinct identity, relationships, and community presence both organizations have built over more than 100 years of service,” said Rachel Beckwith, Chair, United Way of West Central Connecticut Board of Directors.

Below is a list of individuals who will lead the organization. These individuals will make up the Senior Leadership Team and they, alongside talented staff, which includes all team members from United Way of West Central Connecticut, will help to ensure the success of the newly formed alliance.

• Eric Harrison, President and CEO
• Jennifer Bengtson, Chief Financial Officer
• Brandon Emerson, Chief Philanthropy Officer
• Maura Cook, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Development
• Jen Gifford, Senior Vice President, Community Impact and Engagement
• Manny Martinez, Vice President, Regional Engagement

Cobbs-Lomax is the executive director of the Office of Health Equity and Community Impact for Yale New Haven Health. In her role, she is responsible for developing a system strategy to address health equity and establish connections with the communities the health system serves.

Before joining the board of directors, Cobbs-Lomax was a member of CT Health’s community advisory committee, where she contributed to the foundation’s understanding of issues impacting providers and those they serve. She is a graduate of the Connecticut Health Foundation’s Leadership Fellows Class of 2014 and was a member of the inaugural class of the Academy for Health Equity Advocacy and Leadership.

Cobbs-Lomax received her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in French with a concentration in finance, her Master of Business Administration degree from Georgia State University with a concentration in personnel and employment relations and her Master of Public Health Degree from Walden University with a concentration in community health.

“I have had a close relationship with the Connecticut Health Foundation for many years and am tremendously fond of the foundation’s work and steadfast commitment to racial equity. It is truly an honor to join this board and be part of such an esteemed and dedicated group of leaders,” Cobbs-Lomax said.

Horrigan is a partner and co-founder of Connecticut Wealth Management. With more than 25 years of experience in financial planning and wealth management, he works closely with business owners, executives, and multigenerational families.

Horrigan is active in the community, serving on the boards of Hartford Youth Scholars, McLean Health, and the Financial Planning Association of Connecticut. Horrigan earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Siena College. He is a certified financial planner licensee and a certified exit planning advisor.

“I’m honored to join the board of the Connecticut Health Foundation and support their important work toward a future where all communities in Connecticut can enjoy equitable health and well-being. I look forward to working with dedicated leaders to help make this vision a reality,” Horrigan said.

“We are thrilled to welcome Darcey and Denis to our board,” said Tiffany Donelson, president and CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation. “Each of them brings a unique and valuable perspective to the foundation. Their expertise and commitment to equity will be invaluable to our work toward improving health outcomes for Connecticut residents.”

In addition to welcoming two new board members, the foundation awarded a grant during the second quarter to:

Hearst Media Services Connecticut, Norwalk, $50,000

This funding will support a health equity reporting position for Hearst Connecticut Media Group, which owns several newspapers across the state. This reporter will cover health issues affecting Black and Latino communities, including barriers to affordable health care, disparate health outcomes by race and ethnicity, and solutions and resources available to improve outcomes. In addition to publishing in English, stories will be translated into Spanish, with a goal of reaching Spanish-speaking communities.

The Connecticut Health Foundation provides grants to media organizations because news reporting on health care provides insights, informs debates, and ensures that critical topics reach broad audiences. The funding is awarded with an understanding that the journalism will be independent, and the grant will play no role in editorial decisions about health coverage.

For more information, please contact Gaby Molina at gaby@cthealth.org or 860-724-1580 x 133.

These significant donations mark the beginning of the Foundation's ambitious goal to raise $500,000 through its Community Campaign, which recognizes its rich legacy while paving the way for continued impact and possibilities over the next 50 years.

For years, the bank generously allowed the Foundation to utilize the Boston Street office space, enhancing its capacity to serve the Guilford community through its grantmaking and leadership. In 2024, the bank reevaluated its office space needs and footprint.  In a remarkable gesture of generosity, Ascend Bank gifted the building to TGF, timed to coincide with significant anniversaries in 2025 for both organizations — the 50th anniversary of The Guilford Foundation and the 150th anniversary of Ascend Bank.

"A dedicated group of supporters came together with a clear vision to fund these essential renovations, as it can be difficult to raise money for capital improvements when helping the community is the priority," explained Donor Andy Eder. "We recognized the need to revitalize the building to meet the expanding demands of the Foundation, and that it be done quickly so the Foundation team can leverage the new space as they launch this milestone celebration and community appeal. Subsequent campaign donations support local nonprofits through TGF's grantmaking."

"We are incredibly grateful to the eleven donors who have stepped up to support our mission and this exciting new chapter for the Guilford Foundation," said Foundation Executive Director Liza Janssen Petra. "Their commitment not only enables us to make necessary renovations to enhance our efficiency and foster collaboration but also sets the stage for a thriving future. Our anniversary campaign is about honoring our past while building a brighter tomorrow for all members of our community."

The Guilford Foundation has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1975, when a group of dedicated neighbors came together with a shared vision: to create a sustainable funding source that would benefit future generations of our community. This commitment to fostering growth, support, and leadership has anchored TGF for the past five decades.

Kyle Eagleson, Ascend Bank President & CEO, added, "The Guilford Foundation has worked tirelessly to address the evolving needs of the town, driving philanthropic efforts that are both inclusive and impactful. The 44 Boston Street building gives the Foundation the permanent resources to continue its outstanding work. This gift supports our guiding principles and core values to give back to the communities we serve."

As part of commemorating its founding, TGF announced the launch of its 50th Anniversary Community Campaign. With a bold goal of raising $500,000, the initiative aims to meet the evolving needs of Guilford for generations to come. Kicking off on July 1, this appeal underscores the Foundation's unwavering mission to create a vibrant and enriching environment for all residents.

"As 25+ year members of this community, we care deeply about the well-being of our town. We have seen grants from the Guilford Foundation support residents with basic needs, youth and education programs, and mental health initiatives," added donors Barry and Joan Richter. "Giving to The Guilford Foundation is an investment in the quality of life for everyone in our town. It ensures that the Foundation will continue to serve and strengthen our community for the next 50 years and beyond."

For more information about the Guilford Foundation, ways to give, or details about the 50th Anniversary Community Campaign, please visit www.guilfordfoundation.org.

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About The Guilford Foundation

The Guilford Foundation is a trusted philanthropic partner established in 1975 when seven friends organized an effort to beautify the area around the town green. In 2025, the organization is celebrating its 50^th anniversary.

To ensure the perpetuity of their vision, the founders established a source for long-term funding. Over the past four decades, this endowment has expanded in scope and impact, now exceeding $7.9 million. Since 2010, it has awarded over $2 million in grants and scholarships. Areas of distribution include animal welfare, arts & culture & heritage, basic needs, community improvement & vitality, education, environment & sustainability, wellness & mental health, human services, children & youth, and seniors.

The mission of The Guilford Foundation is to enrich the quality of life in the community by connecting people who care with causes that matter, now and for generations to come. TGF is recognized as a responsive, collaborative, and trusted leader that takes the long view toward making a lasting impact in the community.

For more information about The Guilford Foundation, visit guilfordfoundation.org.

In an effort to expand its services, Anchor Health received a $43,000 grant from the Equality Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, to support the launch of a LGBTQIA+ pop-up clinic at The Health Collective East in Manchester, providing primary care, gender-affirming medicine, HIV prevention/treatment, and mental health services to 300 patients from Manchester, East Hartford, Vernon, Tolland, and surrounding towns. Manchester was chosen as the site for the pop-up clinic as Greater Hartford residents east of the Connecticut River lack convenient access to these services. The clinic plans to begin offering services in fall 2025, with in-person clinics and ongoing telehealth follow-up.

“We are honored and grateful to receive support from the Hartford Foundation’s new Equality Fund,” said Bethany Cinque, Director of Donor Engagement at Anchor Health. “At a time when LGBTQ+ communities face growing barriers to healthcare and rising threats to their safety and well-being, this funding is a powerful commitment to health equity. With this support, Anchor Health will expand into the Greater Hartford area. Anchor Health treats patients regardless of their ability to pay and focuses on the communities who need us most. Our partnership with The Health Collective and the generous support of the Equality Fund will help us ensure all people can access the high-quality, inclusive healthcare they deserve.”

Anchor Health is one of the first eight organizations receiving $200,000 in grants from the Foundation’s Equality Fund. Separately in 2018, donor Joel Roskin established a donor-advised fund, which supports organizations serving Greater Hartford that empower people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions to thrive. Combined, the two funds made the 2025 Equality Fund grantmaking possible. 

With a grant from The Equality Fund, the Foundation commissioned a LGBTQIA+ Resident Wellbeing study in partnership with DataHaven in late 2023 to illustrate the current state of the LGBTQIA+ community’s quality of life in Greater Hartford. Findings provided in this report were designed to assist organizations and funders in understanding conditions that affect LGBTQIA+ residents’ health and wellbeing to better direct resources and meet the needs and opportunities of this growing community. The study provided disaggregated data to explore LGBTQIA+ residents’ lives at the intersection of other identities including age, disability, race, and ethnicity in relation to their experiences with housing stability, financial security, health outcomes, health access, and a sense of belonging and social connectedness. 

While the study identified Connecticut as a national leader in LGBTQIA+ protections and resources, the  report also highlighted some recurring themes and recommendations about ways to further strengthen the LGBTQIA+ community and promote better quality of life: through increased support for queer youth, increased access to quality and affirming healthcare, and continued advocacy for LGBTQIA+ needs around disparate health and wellbeing outcomes.

Grants awarded through the Equality Fund were considered for Greater Hartford organizations that have missions that explicitly support the LGBTQIA+ community or have programs designed specifically to address the unique needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The seven other organizations receiving inaugural Equality Fund grants are:

“The Foundation is pleased to be offering this opportunity for nonprofit organizations in our region to develop proposals that seek to address the needs of Greater Hartford’s LGBTQIA+ community,” said Senior Community Impact Officer Kate Piotrowski. “The report issued in 2023 pointed to a broad range of challenges and strengths that LGBTQIA+ residents both encounter and possess, and it offered a roadmap for the type of services the Foundation can support to meet those challenges and amplify those strengths for Greater Hartford’s queer community. We are so grateful to be awarding this first round of grants from the Equality Fund, which we hope will serve as a foundation to build upon in the future.”

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding towns. Through partnerships, the Foundation seeks to strengthen communities in Greater Hartford by putting philanthropy in action to dismantle structural racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $1 billion since its founding in 1925. For more information, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.

“Summer Youth Employment and Learning Programs are one of the most important investments we make in our future,” said Alex Johnson, President and CEO of Capital Workforce Partners. “Every summer, we see young people discover their potential, gain confidence, and explore the professional world. This program gives them the tools to succeed and strengthens our region’s long-term talent pipeline.”

Building Career Pathways for Hartford Youth

Running from July 2 through August 31, SYELP places young people in career-exploration opportunities across fields like retail, education, and healthcare. Participants benefit from real-world work experience, resume building, professional development, and in many cases, their first paid job. The program helps bridge the gap between school and the workforce, especially for young people from low-income and diverse communities.

This year, in Hartford, a targeted focus has been placed on reconnecting high-risk and academically disconnected students. In partnership with Hartford Public Schools, CWP has coordinated SYELP activities with credit recovery programming to support students who are repeating 9th grade or are in their final year and lacking sufficient credits to graduate. A group of students will be co-enrolled in SYELP and credit recovery initiatives ensuring academic and career readiness go hand in hand.

Wraparound Support, and Equity-Driven Design

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving awarded a $400,000 grant to expand the Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program (SYELP) in Hartford, creating meaningful, paid internship opportunities that also connect Hartford youth with supportive mental health resources.

“The Hartford Foundation is proud to continue its long-time support for the Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program efforts which create real-world opportunities to prepare them for the future,” said Hartford Foundation President and CEO Jay Williams. “This investment builds on the strengths and potential of young people, especially those in Hartford Public Schools’ credit recovery programs by offering hybrid work experiences, skill-building, and pathways to success.”

CWP is also supporting program providers with additional training and mental health resources, including referral systems for behavioral health care, self-care skill-building workshops, and stigma-reduction campaigns. Mental health information will also be available through the CWP website.

A Collective Investment in Hartford’s Future

SYELP is made possible by the collective investment of government agencies, nonprofits, and civic-minded organizations, including:

Hartford SYELP:

• City of Hartford - $1.0 million
• Hartford Foundation for Public Giving -$400,000
• State of Connecticut the CT Youth Employment Program (CYEP) through the CT Department of Labor - $1.1 million to Hartford.

Hartford & N. Central CT Regional Municipalities

• An additional $1.7 million from the State of Connecticut will supplement funding to Hartford and support youths throughout the North Central CT Region Municipalities: CYEP, Departments of Aging and Disabilities, Children and Families, and Court Support Services.

The SYELP Employment Providers in Hartford include:

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Hartford Center for Latino Progress, Community Renewal Team, ReadyCT, Our Piece of the Pie, YWCA of Hartford

“Investing in young people is vital to developing the next generation workforce. Youth employment is a way to get young workers into their communities, meeting new people, getting new perspective, and learning the responsibility and benefits that come with leadership,” remarked Eddie Cajigas, Manager of Community Advocacy at the WIOA Administration Unit, Connecticut Department of Labor.

“The Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program is more than just a way to keep youth busy during the summer; it's an investment in the future of Hartford," said Mayor Arunan Arulampalam. "By providing our young people with hands-on experience and critical career readiness skills, we are building a talent pipeline right here in our city. This collaboration with the state, Capital Workforce Partners, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, and other community leaders ensures that the next generation of our workforce has the opportunity to thrive in our city and beyond."

SYELP continues to expand its private-sector partnerships, enhance career exposure, and work closely with guidance counselors and career specialists to recruit youth for placements designed to meet individual goals.

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To learn more about the Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program and how to get involved, visit: https://capitalworkforce.org/syelp/

Additional remarks by featured speakers and guests at the Press Conference hosted by Our Piece of the Pie, this morning, at 11:00am may be found at https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19kzq9EF52/

The recipients of these scholarships are students in various stages of their academic careers – elementary and secondary school students, graduating high school seniors, students currently in college and career training, adults returning to school - who will be continuing their education with the assistance of these scholarships in the fields of business, healthcare, criminal justice, journalism, education, engineering, visual arts, skilled trades and so many more. With each scholarship awarded, the legacy of those who established the fund reinforces the recipients’ abilities to create their own legacies.

The majority of scholarship grants were awarded during MSCF’s June 24, 2025 Scholarship Reception at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bristol. The Reception, which is held annually to celebrate the recipients and thank the generous donors, was attended by over 175 people.

The 2025 Main Street Community Foundation scholarship recipients are as follows:

• Academic Achievement Award: Francesca Amara, Joshua Clukey, Julia Lukaszczyk, Matthew Mauriello, Victoria Testa
• Animal Rescue Foundation Helen & Scott Lowe Scholarship Fund: Abigail Ceritello, Emma Percoski
• Christian Arndt Scholarship Fund: Erik Weisheit
• E. Bartlett Barnes Award of Journalism Fund: Colin Cavallari, Ryan Corvo, Zachary Cudjoe, Mark Lussier, Esther Minery, Peyton Troth
• Stanley P. Bitel Memorial Fund: Marcus Concepcion
• Sylvia Bodak Memorial Scholarship Fund: Kyleigh Sutula
• Peter and Marjorie Bossi Educational Fund: Leland Oxendine
• Bowerman Scholarship Fund: Jordyn Dombroski
• Bristol Boys and Girls Club Schulman Fund: Anthony Nocera, Shantal Pena, Leah Rival, Renee Singleton, Jayden Sokolowski
• Bristol Lions Club F. Fred Soliani Memorial Scholarship Fund: Ethan Lamothe
• Bristol Lions Club/James J. Keating Scholarship Fund: Zoey Parker
• Bristol Police Scholarship Fund: Thomas Pirog
• Bristol Yale Club Scholarship Fund: Dominick Dao, Adrianna Dellaera, Alina Guo, Ashmeet Kaur, Katie Tran
• Bristol Yale/Miles Peck Jennings Memorial Scholarship Fund: Francesca Amara, Veronica Dropa, Logan Jackson, Amelia Lavigne, Sandra Lobeski, Emily Nelson, Sophia Nocera, Katie Tran
• Burlington Lions Charities Scholarship Fund: Gavin Daly, Taytum Fitzgerald, Avery Tiso
• Ron Burns Community Leadership Scholarship Fund: Luke Viens
• Alicia M. Butler Memorial Scholarship Fund: Adrianna Dellaera
• Evan J. Chyun Memorial Scholarship Fund: Sophia Nocera
• Peg Coughlin Nursing Scholarship Fund: Renee Singleton
• Rit Croce Academic and Vocational Scholarship Fund: Jonielys Rabell
• Richard A. DellaVecchia Scholarship Fund: Joseph DiPace
• Lt. Dustin DeMonte and Sgt. Alex Hamzy Public Safety Scholarship Fund: Lissette Castillo, Gavin Damboise
• Katherine Dobroczynski Memorial Scholarship Fund: Katherine Cortez Guerra
• Jeffrey Downes Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Trades: Nazair Tatten
• Coach Randy Doucette Scholarship Fund: Oscar Frejlich, Maja Grabowski
• Karen Finder Scholarship Fund: Nozimabonu Marifjonova
• Carolyn Fisher Scholarship Fund: Olivia Christopher
• Olivia Fusco Memorial Art Scholarship Fund: Collin Martin
• Joann Galati Scholarship Fund for Education: Samson Blum
• GE's Industrial Solutions Scholarship Fund: Elena Argibay, Sahana Ganesh, Zella Jackson, Dhriti Swamy
• Andrew and Murielle Giacomini Scholarship Fund: Mya Porrini
• Jake Gilbert Memorial Culinary Arts Scholarship Fund: Jacob Hall
• Azilda Hebert Music Scholarship Fund: Leland Oxendine
• Dorothy Micloskey Ives Award: Dylan Prince
• Grace and Norma Joy Scholarship Fund: Jamayrie McRae Arroyo
• John Kalinoski Scholarship Fund: Megan Hudson
• Kalt Moreau Family Scholarship Fund for Education: Rihanna Garcia
• KAWFY Memorial Scholarship Fund: Christopher Bray, Maya Kasica, Ekamnoor Singh, Emma Thornton, Paige Tierinni
• Vincent T. Kozyrski Scholarship Fund: Ethan Lamothe
• Sean Landry Memorial Basketball Scholarship Fund: Dominick Dao
• Julie Larese Bristol Tramps Scholarship Fund: Lauren Kozlak
• Ray Machine Corp./Ray and Darlene Lassy Family Fund: Erik Weisheit
• John J. and Doris Lazorik Memorial Scholarship Fund: Ashmeet Kaur, Leah Roy
• Leger Initiative for Education Fund: Jonielys Rabell
• Dave Lepore Journalism Scholarship Fund: Colin Cavallari
• Thérèse MacCallum "Great Kid" Scholarship Fund: Lauren Carrubba, Jayden Manuel
• Nicholas P. Maglio ACE (A Chance for Education) Fund: Ashmeet Kaur
• Maskery Family Scholarship Fund: Christian Fierro
• Elizabeth I. and Louis J. Matt Medical Scholarship Fund: Anna Clevenger, Alina Guo, Leah Roy, Kyleigh Sutula, Brooke Treannie
• Robert E. and Angeline P. McCormack Scholarship Fund: Sophie Shugrue
• McMaster-Moulthrop Scholarship Fund: Dareen Aboulezz, Francesca Amara, Carissa Boutot, Callie Lodovico, Julia Lukaszczyk, Matthew Mauriello, Grace Mazzone, Victoria Testa, Amber Van Alstyne, Abigail Wasta
• Ken E. Micloskey Award: Ashlynne Spino
• Dave Mongillo Memorial/Golf Scholarship Fund: Jayden Manuel
• Al and Joan Monico Scholarship Fund: Jordyn Dombroski
• NESMA Scholarship Fund: Angelina Fasci, Alex Powell
• AJR Nocera Memorial Fund: Ava Constantine, Layan Jahaf
• Anthony Norton Scholarship Fund: Olivia Christopher
• Scott W. Organ Student-Athletic Scholarship Fund: Jack Hartley
• C. Henry Ozga Memorial Scholarship Fund: Dominick Dao
• Ralph Papazian Memorial Scholarship Fund: Jayden Sokolowski
• Estelle Delano Peterson Scholarship Fund: Morgan Champagne
• Dorothy Dewey Picard Music Scholarship Fund: Dale Neyra
• Plymouth Community Club Scholarship Fund: Cassandra Fortunato
• Plymouth Human Services Scholarship Fund for Healthcare Students: Ashlynne Spino
• Alice C. Pulsifer Memorial Scholarship Fund: Peyton Troth
• Max and Ruth Rabin Scholarship Fund: Edward Ansah
• Radcliff Family Education Fund: Ashmeet Kaur, Haley Kuehn, Jia Yi Lu, Heddi Wells
• Radcliff Plainville High School Fund: Matthew Badorek, Patrick Kapusta, Valiantsin Kasabrukhau, Christian Marfia
• Jeanne Radcliff Fund for Global Studies: Timothy Landrette
• Louis J. Rascoe Scholarship Fund: Olivia Christopher
• Julie A. Roche Nursing Scholarship Fund: Brooke Treannie
• Douglas Roland Aid for the Trades Scholarship Fund: Morgan Champagne, Tyler Chasse Arnold, Raveena Gates, Connor Gliszczynski, Alexa Harnish, Jonielys Rabell, Sabrina Schroeder
• Clement J. Roy Scholarship Fund: Leah Roy
• Lawrence (Larry) Scelza Memorial Scholarship Fund: Leila Taweh
• Dora Schubert Scholarship Fund: Tyler Speir
• Glo Sessions Fund for Art Education: Pushpita Hossain
• Jill Lynne Shackett Educational Scholarship Fund: Kiana Ouellette, Jedric Sutula, Makayla Warnat
• Southington Observer/StepSaver Scholarship Fund: Emma Thornton
• Swicklas Family Scholarship Fund: Olivia Christopher
• Ervin E. Trask Scholarship Fund: Veronica Dropa
• Jay and Elizabeth Tyrrell Scholarship Fund: Angelina Guzman, Pushpita Hossain
• Dr. Joan T. Wallace Prize for Highest Achievement in English at Southington High School: Kriti Gupta
• John & Peggy Walsh Memorial Scholarship Fund: Dylan Kehler, Irina Lin, Jamayrie McRae Arroyo, Emily Phan, Leah Roy, Mya Santiago, Landon Sisson, Aya Yaseen
• Kristen Warner Scholarship Fund: Vayda Martinez
• John Whitcomb Scholarship Fund: Samson Blum
• Reverend Dr. Eddie C. Whitehead of Bristol CT – Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fund: Ashmeet Kaur, Grace Mazzone
• Eva Brodowicz Wickwire Volunteer Scholarship Fund: Ava Constantine
• Pat and Bob Wollenberg Scholarship Fund for Special Education: Jessica Oakes, Kiana Ouellette
• The Craig Yarde Scholarship Fund: Emily Nelson
• Yarde Metals Memorial Scholarship Fund: Hailey Beebe, Ivan Colon III, Mia Cormier, Mason Cristino, Sadie Cyr, Aidan Dow, Allyson Fetzer, Benjamin Kozikowski, Maggie Kozikowski, Alexia Leonard, Hannah Mora, Eve Null, Jonathan Paige, Danielle Regan, Rachel Ross, Timothy Sample

Furthermore, 55 scholarships were awarded to assist elementary and secondary school students who attend Catholic schools in the local community. These scholarships were awarded from the following funds: 4 Burns Scholarship/St. Joseph/St. Paul Fund, BJT Scholarship Fund, Keating-Monaghan Memorial Scholarship Fund, Lena M. & Peter L. Korotie Scholarship Fund, Malerbo Memorial Scholarship Fund, Saint Matthew School Scholarship Fund.

All scholarships are awarded through a competitive, blinded application process and are available to students within the Foundation’s service area at varying levels of their academic careers. An all-volunteer selection committee appointed by the Foundation’s Board of Directors evaluates all applications before recommending recipients.

To learn more about Main Street Community Foundation’s scholarship program, or to donate to a scholarship fund, visit www.mainstreetfoundation.org/scholarships.

To nominate an individual, group or organization, visit CTImpactAwards.org and click “Submit Your Nominee.” Nominees must be over the age of 18 and can only be submitted into one of the following categories:

Unsung Hero Award: A person giving their all to their community in quiet and often thankless ways. This person is the “Unofficial Mayor” of their neighborhood or town, completing acts of kindness for everyone they meet without looking for anything in return. This person may just be starting their philanthropic journey or may have been helping for decades.

Impactful Woman Award: A female leader whose mission is to help and empower those within her community. She is a leader and an inspiration, creating opportunities for others and ensuring she is making Connecticut a better place. A true mentor to other women, this person has dynamic energy and drive to do great things in her community.

Impactful Emerging Leader Award: An up-and-coming changemaker in Connecticut, this young person – specifically, under the age of 30 as of October 1, 2025 – is on the fast track to leadership. Despite their age, they have a proven record of giving back and have set themselves up for a future of serving Connecticut.

Impactful Educator Award: An impactful educator – a teacher, professor, coach or tutor who has dedicated themselves to molding young minds. More than teaching, this person serves as a mentor to their students, helping guide them through life. This person can be retired or work in a variety of educational settings inclusive of preschool, K-12, college/university and other learning spaces.

Impactful Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award: This award is given to an individual or a company that has a demonstrated track record of helping or working with minority communities here in Connecticut. They have made a measurable impact in underrepresented communities and have dedicated their lives, or a better part of their business, helping to create a spot at the table for everyone.

Community Organization Making an ImpaCT: A community group that has taken on the task of bettering their surroundings and helping others. This grassroots organization uses their resources – gifts of time, talent and treasure – to create change. This charitable organization goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Small Business Making an ImpaCT: A small business that has made giving back to Connecticut a part of their culture. This organization is doing business in an innovative way to create a better Connecticut. This award will be given to a small/medium-sized company with fewer than 100 employees.

Company Making an ImpaCT: A company that has made giving back to Connecticut a part of their culture. This organization is well-rounded in investing funds and time to creating a better Connecticut. Volunteering and philanthropy are part of their culture from the top down, creating a place to work that allows employees a chance to do good along the way. This award will be given to a large company with more than 100 employees.

“We are so proud to be celebrating the 3rd Annual ImpaCT Awards. Leveraging our collective impact and the contributions of individuals, organizations and companies is a fantastic way to strengthen the communities where we live and work. United Way is honored to continue our partnership with FOX61 by recognizing those who make our state a better place,” shared Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.

United Way and FOX61 will also recognize a leader in our community with the George Bahamonde Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize an individual who has dedicated their life to service with the goal of making futures brighter for generations to come. The award is named in honor of the late George Bahamonde, who served as the President and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut for 12 years and was passionate about educational outcomes and opportunities for local children.

“We are thrilled to partner with United Way to recognize individuals, companies and organizations that are giving back to their community in incredible ways,” said Chris Topf, President and General Manager FOX61/CW20. “The ImpaCT Awards are all about meaningfully bringing people together. As Connecticut’s News Station, we believe in serving the state not only through the important information we provide but also highlighting great work happening throughout the community.”

Funds raised advance United Way’s work to end poverty by closing gaps in child literacy, wages, housing and life expectancy.

The 3rd Annual ImpaCT Awards Ceremony will take place October 22, 2025, at the Hartford Marriott Downtown. Additionally, the ImpaCT Awards Ceremony will be broadcasted on FOX61 and will be streamed on FOX61+ in a special one-hour broadcast and available on FOX61+ to re-watch. Sponsorship opportunities are available at CTImpactAwards.org and are eligible for charitable tax deductions.

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About United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut   

United Way closes gaps in child literacy, housing, wages and life expectancy to make the 860 region an equitable place where everyone succeeds. United Way does this by aligning partners across sectors to end poverty; leveraging information and experience to deepen impact; connecting people with resources and opportunities to make a difference; and, transforming the future with game-changing solutions. For more information, visit unitedwayinc.org.

About FOX61 

FOX61, Connecticut’s News Station, is one of the nation’s most highly rated FOX Network affiliates, providing Connecticut viewers with outstanding entertainment, news, sports and local event programming. FOX 61 News is the market leader in news, producing more news and winning more awards than any station in Connecticut. FOX 61 now airs more than 61 hours of local news and public affairs programming each week, more than any other market station and provides 24 x 7 live streamed content on FOX61+, available on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.

CW20, one of the top performing CW network affiliates in the U.S., delivers the best in off network and first-run syndicated programming, movies and sports. The station is home to the Connecticut Lottery drawings and broadcasts major community events and sports including New York Mets Baseball, UConn Football and UConn Baseball.

FOX61 and CW20 are owned by TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA), an innovative media company that owns and operates 64 television stations in 51 markets. For more information, please visit www.fox61.com.

This self-supporting approach to revenue generation is new to many nonprofits in Greater Hartford. In response, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, and its Nonprofit Support Program (NSP) launched the Social Enterprise Accelerator, designed to help organizations expand beyond traditional grants and donations. The first group of ten nonprofits started the program in 2018; the second group of six began in 2021; the third group of eight began in 2024; and there are currently four organizations engaged in the process. 

The Foundation has created a matching challenge: for every dollar of start-up capital raised by the nonprofits in the current group, the Foundation will match dollar for dollar, up to 50 percent of each organization’s goal, not to exceed $30,000. The announcement followed “Fast Pitch” sessions on June 17 when organizations presented their business plans to current and potential donors and made a direct ask for financial support toward startup capital needs. The matching challenge runs through September 17.

“The enthusiasm and effort that area nonprofit organizations have brought to the Social Enterprise Accelerator program has far exceeded our expectations,” said Meher Shulman, Associate Director of the Nonprofit Support Program. “While the creative ideas these organizations have brought forward are truly exciting, we have been even more impressed by their level of commitment to developing detailed and viable business plans. Nonprofits in Greater Hartford have an appetite for social enterprise and a need for new revenue sources; we are proud to help them meet that need.”

This cohort began the three-year program in October 2024 with a series of four intensive workshops and individualized consultations on social enterprise. These four organizations will access additional business plan development, implementation support and fundraising coaching. The Social Enterprise Accelerator is provided in partnership with No Margin, No Mission, a national consulting firm dedicated to helping nonprofits increase their earned income and entrepreneurial capacity.

The four participating organizations include:

Charter Oak Cultural Center - Bien Venue, venue rentals in the historic sanctuary, galleries, classrooms, and other spaces. Bookings may be enhanced with arts and cultural programs,  workshops and community engagement activities.

Ebony Horsewomen, Inc. - Black Boots Venue Rentals, in the Mary Fields Museum & Conference Center and outdoor tent pavilion.  Bookings may be enhanced with services including horseback riding, hayrides, sleigh rides, and other equine experiences.

Journey Home - Journey Home Thrift Store, offering high-quality, gently- used household items and furniture at deeply discounted prices. 

Our Piece of the Pie- OPP U, designed to equip youth-serving professionals with impactful, skill-building training on topics such as Mental Health First Aid, Positive Youth Development, DEIJB, Trauma-Informed Care, and the TEB (Thoughts, Emotions, Behaviors) framework.

Established in the late 1980s, the Nonprofit Support Program (NSP) at the Hartford Foundation is key to the Foundation's capacity-building efforts, annually serving more than 200 nonprofits and giving $2 million in grants. NSP's close contact with Greater Hartford's nonprofits provides it with a unique understanding of the trends within the sector.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding towns. Through partnerships, the Foundation seeks to strengthen communities in Greater Hartford by putting philanthropy in action to dismantle structural racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $1 billion since its founding in 1925. For more information, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.

The Connecticut Urban Opportunity Collaborative (CUOC), a partnership among Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, and The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven is dedicated to advancing equity and promoting social and economic mobility in communities across the state. To support this work, the three foundations have announced that Liany Elba Arroyo will serve as the collaborative’s new director.

For the past four years, Connecticut’s three largest community foundations have been working together on collective strategies to help dismantle systemic racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility in the urban centers in their regions. In 2021, the group was selected to collectively participate in the inaugural cohort of community foundations in NEON (Nexus for Equity + Opportunity Nationwide).

Arroyo will coordinate CUOC’s team of community foundation chief executives and senior staff to continue the collaborative’s work to develop and implement collective strategies to support the community. CUOC’s work also involves developing and sustaining a broad network of relationships with national, regional and local partners and managing the collaborative’s investments, including work with funding partners and reviewing grant requests, supporting implementation, monitoring progress and bringing the work and its impact on participants to foundation, government, nonprofit, and other community stakeholders.

In 2024, CUOC invested in UpTogether to launch a multi-regional Direct Cash Assistance pilot program in Connecticut to promote social and economic mobility and  to examine  the impact of providing cash assistance to Changemakers in three urban centers contributing to their communities in various ways. The program supports 120 leaders from Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven who are facing economic hardship and collaborating to build community power and improve their lives and neighborhoods. CUOC is in the second year of implementing the current three-year program. Over three years, participants will receive monthly payments totaling $12,600 to help alleviate individual and family financial challenges. meet their goals, and foster community improvements. Arroyo will lead the coordination, implementation, and evaluation of this groundbreaking collaborative initiative.

“For the past several years, our three community foundations have collaborated to identify long-term evidence-based strategies to begin to dismantle systemic racism in our state,” said Hartford Foundation President and CEO Jay Williams. “At a time when this work is coming to fruition through the implementation of the Direct Cash Assistance pilot program, we are so pleased to have Liany, someone, who brings a wealth of experience in organizing and implementing complex programming and galvanizing partners, to lead this work. She will help to build upon CUOC’s current work and highlight what we are learning with policymakers and other community partners .”

"Liany's background and experience positions her to powerfully advance the work that our three foundations have undertaken as we collectively drive systemic change and create greater equity and opportunity" said Karen DuBois-Walton, Ph.D., President and CEO of The Community Foundation forGreater New Haven.  "It is more important than ever that we work together to direct resources to community members who have for far too long been shut out of opportunities for economic mobility and that we drive the change needed to make this possible for all.  Having Liany join us to drive this work is a great harbinger of what's to come." 

"We are excited to have Liany join us to continue the important work of building an inclusive economy where everyone has an opportunity to thrive," said Mendi Blue Paca, President & CEO of Fairfield County's Community Foundation. "Liany has an impressive background in policy and alliance building that will serve her well as she engages our many partners.”

Previously, Arroyo served as Chief Operating Officer at Charter Oak Health Center, where she ensured the organization delivered on its mission to provide high quality care regardless of a person’s ability to pay. She also served as the Director of Health and Human Services for the City of Hartford during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which time Arroyo oversaw the growth of the department’s programs to address opioids and chronic disease as well as the public health COVID response.

Originally from Bridgeport, Arroyo spent ten years in Washington, D.C. where she used her expertise in the nonprofit and government sectors to develop programs and promote public policies to improve the health status of communities of color across the nation. Arroyo holds a BA in psychology from Wellesley College, an MPH from Columbia University, and is currently pursuing an MBA at Yale School of Management as a Pozen-Commonwealth Fund Fellow in Health Equity Leadership.

“Growing up in Connecticut, I have experienced and witnessed the vast inequities, as well as the opportunities that exist here,” Arroyo said. “I look forward to applying my lived and professional experiences to the work of the Connecticut Urban Opportunity Collaborative, so all our residents have the chance to not merely survive but thrive.”

About Fairfield County’s Community Foundation
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation is partnering with our community to create a county where every person has an equitable opportunity to thrive. We work closely with community organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and philanthropists to address challenges and identify opportunities to create a stronger, more vibrant community. Learn more at FCCFoundation.org. 

About the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding towns. Through partnerships, the Foundation seeks to strengthen communities in Greater Hartford by putting philanthropy in action to dismantle structural racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $1 billion since its founding in 1925. For more information, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.

About The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s mission is to inspire, support, inform, listen to and collaborate with the people and organizations of Greater New Haven to build an ever more connected, inclusive, equitable and philanthropic community. Established in 1928, The Foundation is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the country. Generations of donors past and present have built the Foundation’s permanent charitable endowment, which serves 20 towns in Greater New Haven. The Foundation operates under a strategic plan to expand opportunity and equity in the region. For more information, visit www.cfgnh.org or call 203-777-2386.

The organizations awarded grants include:

• LiveWell for $150,000 to continue and expand the Dementia Positive Southington initiative. The goal of the initiative is to pioneer a Dementia Positive community in Southington that promotes positive attitudes towards people living with dementia, and advocates for brain health as a public health priority.
• Prudence Crandall Center, Inc. for $85,000 to support comprehensive Domestic Violence Intervention & Prevention services including: community education and prevention, outreach activities, community counseling services, supportive housing placement, court advocacy, and the 24/7 crisis shelter and hotline.
• Senior Transportation Services for $113,127 to provide Southington residents who are age 50+ or disabled, one-on-one, curb-to-curb, reliable, medical transportation. The service provides free rides to medical appointments, pharmacy, hair salon/barber, bank or a care facility to visit a family member.
• The LEAF (Lewis Educational Agricultural Farm) for $60,000 to provide operating support for agricultural education programs in collaboration with the Southington public schools and the greater community. Programming includes planting and harvesting school gardens, farm field trips, farm to school lunch program, summer farm camp, the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, adult classes on healthy food preparation, and delivery of fresh produce to Bread for Life and Southington Community Services food pantry.
• Wheeler Health for $116,422 to continue the Southington Community Health Outreach Initiative, which enhances access to behavioral health services for Southington residents through social work interventions. This approach addresses community-wide needs, reduces barriers to care, and promotes better behavioral health outcomes across all age groups. By connecting individuals with appropriate resources early on, the program prevents the escalation of mental health issues that may require higher levels of care.
• Yale School of Nursing for $100,000 to establish a FINGER (FINish GERiatric) based cognitive wellness clinic at LiveWell led by Yale clinicians and faculty. This 15-month pilot program will provide individual, small-group, and community education on brain health and dementia risk reduction, while offering continuing education for healthcare providers. The goal of this program is to support early identification and management of cognitive decline.

Since MSCF was appointed trustee of The Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust in 2004, the Trust has awarded a total of $14.9 million, all to the benefit of Southington residents’ health and wellbeing.

For more information on the Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust, or Main Street Community Foundation, contact us at 860.583.6363 or visit mainstreetfoundation.org.

These awards, which range from $600 to $6,550, are made possible through the generous contributions of donor-established funds at TGF.

“It is a tremendous honor to present these awards,” said Executive Director Liza Janssen Petra. “Each scholarship embodies the spirit of community and the belief in the importance of education. Our donors, many of whom memorialize loved ones through these funds, are making a lasting impact on the lives of our students. It is our privilege to empower these young individuals as they pursue their educational aspirations while honoring the legacies of those who made this support possible. Through our endowment model, these scholarships offer opportunities that extend for generations to come.”

TGF collaborates closely with the guidance departments to manage the scholarship process, thoughtfully pairing students with awards based on their fields of study and unique profiles. The 2025 scholarship recipients exemplify the best of Guilford's future, striking a balance between rigorous academic pursuits and extracurricular activities, including after-school jobs, volunteer work, athletic commitments, and participation in the arts.

The 2025 Guilford High School scholarship and prize recipients include:

·       Al and Gene Bishop Fund for Vocational and Industrial Arts Scholarship:  Giada Mezzanotte

·       B. Joan & Dennis F. Hickey Scholarship Fund:  Madelyn White

·       Barbara Nugent Scholarship Fund:  Molly Ann Prior

·       Carl A. Balestracci Jr. Humanitarian Scholarship:  Agnes Batters, Logan Murphy

·       Elisabeth Adams Scholarship:  Luca Scafidi, Ava Seseske

·       Elizabeth M. "Lizzie" Schwanfelder Scholarship:  Lily Sullivan

·       Guilford Youth Mentoring Scholarship Fund:  Benjamin Libby, Michael Maler

·       Guilford Fund for Education:  Samuel Beres, Laila Toscano-Popick

·       GSB Charitable Fund Scholarships:  Sasha Armster, Kate Footit

·       The Jaffe Scholarship Fund:  Johnson Dong

·       Jake Penman Memorial Scholarship:  Maxwell Freeman

·       James P. Scialabba Scholarship Fund:  Amy Shi

·       Jesse. E. Whittemore Jr. Scholarship Fund:  Emir Metjahic, Addison Weed

·       The Karen and Terry Bergantino:  Rachel Dong, Quintin Tansey

·       Kyle E. Smith Memorial Scholarship:  Jack Gardner

·       Maureen Cyr Caruso Scholarship Fund:  Eva Tortora

·       Ralph Schipani Memorial Scholarship:  Adam Copeland, Sophie Creamer

·       Richard W. Brooks Memorial Fund:  Corina Lowry

·       The Richard Hersh and Judith Meyers Scholarship Fund:  Jack Gardner, Eva Tortora

·       Stephen Looney Scholarship:  Tea Gambardella, Daniel Perez Betancur

·       Stuart D. Burt Scholarship:  Alexandra Goetz

Guilford Institute Prizes

• Elizabeth Leete Award: Amy Shi
• Helen Bergstresser Award: Patrick McGrath

“Each scholarship honors the unique passions and goals of those named in the fund.  Connecting our generous donors with these impressive graduating seniors is a joy,” stated Janssen Petra. “The best part is the recognition ceremony, where we tell the stories behind each scholarship while highlighting the achievements of the talented students who earned the award.  It’s truly an uplifting and inspiring night for all.”

The Guilford Foundation extends its heartfelt congratulations to these outstanding scholars as they prepare to take the next step in their educational journeys.

Information about The Guilford Foundation scholarship funds and the application process is available at www.guilfordfoundation.org. 

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About The Guilford Foundation

The Guilford Foundation is a trusted philanthropic partner established in 1975 when seven friends organized an effort to beautify the area around the town green. In 2025, the organization is celebrating its 50^th anniversary.

To ensure the perpetuity of their vision, the founders established a source for long-term funding. Over the past four decades, this endowment has expanded in scope and impact and now exceeds $7.9 million, awarding over $2 million in grants and scholarships since 2010. Areas of distribution include animal welfare, arts/culture/heritage, basic needs, community improvement & vitality, education, environment & sustainability, wellness & mental health, human services, children & youth, and seniors.

The mission of The Guilford Foundation is to enrich the quality of life in the community by connecting people who care with causes that matter, now and for generations to come. TGF is recognized as a responsive, collaborative, and trusted leader that takes the long view toward making a lasting impact in the community.

For more information about The Guilford Foundation, visit guilfordfoundation.org.

Arburr has more than 30 years of professional experience in human services, nonprofit administration, and municipal leadership bringing a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of community needs to this critical role.

Her extensive background in program development, strategic planning, grant writing, and services for the aging makes her a natural fit for VCF’s mission of strengthening Valley communities through philanthropy and partnerships, said Sharon Closius, VCF’s President and CEO.

“Sandra’s career is rooted in service and collaboration,” Closius said. “She understands how to build trust with nonprofit leaders and how to create systems that truly respond to community needs. We are thrilled to welcome her to VCF.”

In her new role, Arburr will manage VCF’s grants programs, provide technical assistance to local nonprofit organizations, and lead community engagement initiatives and special projects. She will also maintain a close working relationship with the grantmaking and strategy team at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven -- VCF’s longtime philanthropic partner in the region.

Arburr is a lifelong Valley resident having lived in Shelton until 1994, residing in Derby for five years thereafter and ultimately settling in Oxford in 2004.

She earned a B.A. in psychology from Central Connecticut State University and comes to VCF with decades of experience in private, public, nonprofit and municipal services with particular focus in services for seniors. Some highlights of her career include her most recent position as Senior Services Director for the Town of Oxford, as well as more than 20 years in various positions at Athena Health Care Systems, culminating in the position of Corporate Director. She was also Senior Services Supervisor for the Town of Stratford.

Arburr is also an avid community volunteer. She is an active member of the Valley Council for Health and Human Services, is Co-Chair of the Valley Community Index Senior and Aging Committee and serves as a member of the Valley Senior Services Council. During the pandemic, she was appointed to the State of Connecticut Workforce for Long Term Care/Assisted Living.

“I am honored to join the Valley Community Foundation,” Arburr said. “The Valley is a place with strong roots, resilient people, and extraordinary nonprofit organizations. I look forward to helping advance VCF’s mission of improving lives and supporting local solutions.”

About the Valley Community Foundation:

Established in 2004, each year the Valley Community Foundation (VCF) distributes approximately $2 million in grants that support local nonprofits and people they serve. In addition to grantmaking, VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (TCF) to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton and receives funding from The Gates Fund and other preference funds at TCF that benefit the Valley. For more information, visit ValleyFoundation.org. Valley Community Foundation, 253-A Elizabeth Street, Derby CT, 06418. Office: (203) 751-9162.

In 2025, TGF witnessed unprecedented growth, receiving 59 grant applications—a remarkable 60% increase from 2023. The total funding requested reached $382,143, reflecting an 81% rise compared to two years ago. This increase highlights both the escalating needs within our community and TGF’s expanding role in addressing them.
“This was a unique year for our Community Investment Committee,” said TGF Executive Director Liza Janssen Petra. “Historically, we see about 20 to 30 applications, but that number nearly doubled this year. Balancing our desire to support all worthy requests with the realities of our funding limitations—based on a set percentage of our endowment value—was no small feat.”
She continued, “Given the uncertainty surrounding federal funding for many partners, we prioritized supporting children, human services, education, and basic needs, forcing necessary, but tough, decisions along the way.”

The top ten grant recipients by funding amount include Little Sprouts Learning Center ($8,000), Guilford Center for Children (GCC) Early Education ($7,500), Women & Family Life Center ($7,500), APK Charities $5,000), Clifford W. Beers Guidance Clinic ($5,000), Guilford A Better Chance ($5,000), Guilford Social Services ($5,000), Guilford Affordable Housing Commission ($4,900), GCC Before & After School Care Program ($4,600), and The Cove Center for Grieving Children ($4,500).

The percentage of grant funding by focus area reflects the 2025 priorities:

• 23% Children & Youth
• 20% Human Services
• 13% Education
• 11% Basic Needs
• 10% Wellness & Mental Health
• 10% Arts, Culture & Heritage
• 7% Seniors
• 5% Environment
• 1% Civic Engagement
  

“This was an especially challenging cycle this year, given the increased number of applications. While we generally view that as a great problem to have, there were many great initiatives that we would have loved to support; however, in the end, we were unable to fund them this time around. We took a rigorous approach to our decision-making to ensure our funding had the most significant community impact possible given the priorities identified,” shared Community Investment Committee Chair Stephanie Little Brown. “This experience fuels our determination to grow our endowment further to expand our impact in the future and meet the increasing needs of our community partners.”

In honor of its 50th Anniversary, the Guilford Foundation is launching a community appeal, asking all residents to support their hyper-local community foundation. It’s embarking on an ambitious goal to raise $500,000, which will increase the size of the endowment and the Foundation’s ability to award more grants to the vital nonprofits that make Guilford such a remarkable town. Donations can be made at guilfordfoundation.org.

Janssen Petra added, “Our annual grantmaking is at the core of our mission to enrich the quality of life in Guilford by connecting those who care with causes that matter. Funding enables our charitable partners to meet the community’s needs through their programs and services. We are deeply thankful to our generous donors who understand the importance of local giving.”
Click here to see the list of grant recipients, initiatives supported, and funding amounts.
About The Guilford Foundation

The Guilford Foundation is a trusted philanthropic partner established in 1975 when seven friends organized an effort to beautify the area around the town green. In 2025, the organization is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

To ensure the perpetuity of their vision, the founders established a source for long-term funding. Over the past four decades, this endowment has expanded in scope and impact and now exceeds $7.9 million, awarding over $2 million in grants and scholarships since 2010. Areas of distribution include animal welfare, arts/culture/heritage, basic needs, community improvement & vitality, education, environment & sustainability, wellness & mental health, human services, children & youth, and seniors.

The mission of The Guilford Foundation is to enrich the quality of life in the community by connecting people who care with causes that matter, now and for generations to come. TGF is recognized as a responsive, collaborative, and trusted leader that takes the long view toward making a lasting impact in the community.

For more information about The Guilford Foundation, visit guilfordfoundation.org.