The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy works with members promoting effective philanthropy throughout the state, and with our colleagues nationally through the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, whose network represents more than 5,500 participating organizations and is the largest network in American philanthropy. Photos: 2016 Philanthropy Luncheon and Conference, Trumbull, CT.
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FEATURED PHILANTHROPY NEWS >>
Nominations Sought for Philanthropy Awards >>
United Way Report Analyzes ALICE Data Across 13 States >>
Nonprofits Need to Stand Together to Push for Smart Public Policies >>
CCP Report Shows Connecticut Giving Up 14% over last 5 Years >>
CCP's Annual Convening & Philanthropy Awards Slated for May 12 >>
16M Gift to Benefit Birds, Animals and the Environment >>
PHILANTHROPY NEWS LINKS >>
GRANTS and RFPS >>
SCHOLARSHIPS >>
EVENTS and OTHER OPPORTUNITIES >>
THE POWER OF GOOD PEOPLE >>
JOBS IN PHILANTHROPY >>
ABOUT CCP and the CONNECTICUT PHILANTHROPY DIGEST >>
Nominations Sought for Philanthropy Awards >>
Grantmakers and nonprofits may honor a colleague or community leader by submitting a nomination for one of CCP's Philanthropy Awards. The Awards Nomination Deadline is January 31.
The John H. Filer Award and the Martha S. Newman Award will be announced in time for the CCP annual meeting and luncheon in May 2017, and every other year thereafter. The Nancy S. Roberts Award will be given in 2018 at the biennial CCP conference, and at each biennial conference thereafter. Each award has a distinguished list of past recipients that represent the best in philanthropy. Help us continue the tradition by nominating recipients for the Filer Award and/or the Newman Award.
Find Philanthropy Award Nomination Materials and Nominate a Colleague >>
United Way Report Analyzes ALICE Data Across 13 States
In 2016, United Ways in Connecticut, released their 2nd state-specific ALICE Report. ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) defines a household with income above the federal poverty level but below a basic cost-of-living household survival budget. A new ALICE Multi-State Comparison, compares data across 13 states: Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin, and analyzes trends effecting ALICE across the nation.
The ALICE Multi-State Comparison reports that of the 38 million households studied across 13 states, 40 percent were living below the ALICE threshold.
The 2016 Connecticut ALICE Update Report revealed that 27 percent (up from 25 percent in 2014) of households in Connecticut have earnings above the federal poverty level but below what it costs to afford basic necessities such as housing, food, child care, health care and transportation. When these households are combined with the 11 percent of households living in poverty, more than 1 in 3 (38 percent) of Connecticut households are struggling to get by.
The ALICE Multi State Comparison reinforces many of the findings in the Connecticut ALICE Report including:
- The ALICE population includes men and women, both young and old and of all races and ethnicities.
- Connecticut has the highest Household Survival Budget (i.e. cost of living) at $22,565 for a single adult and $70,788 for a family of four (two adults, one infant and one toddler).
- The cost of housing and child care (for families with two children in child care) are the biggest expenses for ALICE households.
Nonprofits Need to Stand Together to Push for Smart Public Policies
Tim Delaney and David L. Thompson, respectively chief executive and vp of public policy for the National Council of Nonprofits, recently dicussed their Public Policy Agenda for 2017 in an article for The Chronicle of Philanthropy. They recommend following several important steps nonprofits and foundations can take to deal with six major federal issues they collectively face, regardless of their separate missions:
- Fight back against cuts in spending that would hurt the public.
- Expand, don’t limit, tax laws that encourage giving.
- Engage in the debate on the Affordable Care Act.
- Respect the legal independence of nonprofits to allocate their own resources.
- Keep partisan politics far away from charitable organizations and foundations.
- Simplify federal rules and contracts.
Read more @ The Chronicle of Philanthropy >>
CCP Report Shows Connecticut Giving Up 14% over last 5 Years
Giving in Connecticut looks at charitable giving by Connecticut grantmakers and residents, including: individual giving through reported contributions, bequests made through estate giving, and foundation giving. Giving in Connecticut uses data from the IRS Statistics of Income Division, the Foundation Center, and self-reported data gathered by CCP.
Report highlights include:
- Giving in Connecticut from all sources at $4.51 billion was down 3.2% from 2013, due primarily to a drop in bequests.
- Giving by individuals at $3.40 billion was up 2.8%.
- Giving by all foundations at $1.02 billion was up 2.1%.
- Giving via bequests was down 74% after being up the previous year by 76%.
- Giving by individuals and bequests combined at $3.48 billion amounted to 77% of all giving.
- Giving by foundations: most grants went to Education and Health.
- Giving by foundations is greatest in Fairfield county where 56% of CT foundations are based. They gave $747 million to charities, representing 73% of total foundation grantmaking.
CCP's Annual Convening & Philanthropy Awards Slated for May 12 >>
CCP announces a two-year schedule starting in 2017 when the Annual Meeting will be a keynote luncheon event, and in 2018, a full-day philanthropy conference. The luncheon and conference will alternate every year. The event is intended for staff and trustees of grantmaking organizations, nonprofit and community leaders and invited guests.
Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Hartford Marriott Downtown
Keynote Speaker: Heather McGhee, president, Demos
Learn more >>
16M Gift to Benefit Birds, Animals and the Environment
The Mary Janvrin and Natalie Janvrin Wiggins Fund for Birds, Other Animals and Nature will bring $8 million each to the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut (CFECT) and the Community Foundation of Middlesex County (CFMC). For generations to come, these funds will amplify the wildlife and environmental conservation efforts supported by these grantmakers.
Janvrin’s gift is the second largest for CFECT. Its largest gift was a $10 million bequest from Peter Letz in 2014, also to benefit animal welfare and the environment. Preserving the environment and advancing animal welfare are two of CFECT’s four strategic focus areas.
“Mary Janvrin’s generous bequest will help us have greater impact on the well-being of our region,” said Maryam Elahi, President and CEO of CFECT. “Because this new fund covers all of Eastern Connecticut, we will be able to forge partnerships and tackle critical projects throughout our region, as well as in collaboration with CFMC. Read more >>
PHILANTHROPY NEWS LINKS
CCP Member News Links
Aetna & Aetna Foundation
AVANGRID
AVANGRID Subsidiaries Distribute $280K to Nonprofits Across Connecticut >>
Foundation Gives $10K to Neighbors Helping Neighbors Initiative >>
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
Foundation Awards $1.5 Million in Winter Grants Cycle >>
Branford Community Foundation
Foundation Grants to Branford Land Trust for Land Aquisition >>
Women & Family Life Center Receives Grant to Expand Capacity for Guided Referral Program >>
Citizens Bank
Citizens Leadership Donates $200K to Extend Foundation’s Charitable Support >>
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain
Year-End Grants Top $230K to Support Early Childhood Development, Arts, Community Events and More >>
Plainville Library Gets Grant for Puppetry >>
Connecticut Community Foundation
Foundation Awards $92K in Grants to Conserve and Protect Natural Resources >>
Bridgewater Land Trust Receives Grants for James Allen Preserve >>
Grant Awards Support Healthy Aging >>
Connecticut Health Foundation
Connecticut Humanities
Matching Grant Enables Stamford History Center to Debut Virtual Exhibit >>
Eversource and Eversource Energy Foundation
Eversource Gives $9.6M to 28 Local Nonprofits Through State's Tax Credit Program >>
Farmington Bank Community Foundation
Foundation Awards Grant to The Arc of the Farmington Valley/Favarh >>
Fairfield County's Community Foundation
All Our Kin Empowers Women to Succeed with $20K Grant from Foundation >>
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
Program to Assist Child Immigrants Receives Grant from the Latino Endowment Fund >>
Main Street Community Foundation
More Than $45K in Grants Announced at Women & Girls’ Fund Annual Meeting >>
Nellie Mae Education Foundation
Connecticut's Hearing Voices Wins $50K Grant >>
New Canaan Community Foundation
Foundation Acts Quickly to Support Fowler Property Acquisition >>
Newman's Own Foundation
Newman’s Own Donates $10K to Farmers Market >>
Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation
$42K Awarded for Northwest Corner Critical Needs >>
Nonprofits Receive $90K in Fall/Winter Grants >>
Foundation Sponsors Library Hot Spots >>
The Prudential Foundation
Grant Will Support Marketing and Institutional Development at the Center for Latino Progress >>
Foundation Awards Entrepreneurial Center renewed $75K Grant >>
SI Financial Group Foundation
United Way of Coastal Fairfield County
Foundation Gives $10K to Neighbors Helping Neighbors Initiative >>
United Way of Greater New Haven
Funding for Cold Weather Protocol Services Must Be Reinstated >>
Non-Member News Links
AT&T
Norwalk Historical Society Receives Grant From AT&T >>
Bankwell
Maritime Aquarium Receives 12K Grant From Bankwell >>
Bankwell Contributes to Darien’s Tiny Miracles Foundation >>
The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation
Cohen Foundation Making Most of New Home >>
Community Foundation of Middlesex County
Sister's Legacy to Support Where We Live, Work and Play >>
Connecticut's Credit Union's
Stamford Dollars for Scholars Wins $5K from Connecticut’s Credit Unions for Second Year in a Row >>
First County Bank
Foundation Good for Business >>
Kanarek Family Foundation
Fairfield University Announces New Palliative Care Center >>
KentPresents
KentPresents Awards $100K in Grants >>
Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus Donates $170,000 to Connecticut Charities During Christmas Season >>
Susan G. Komen New England
Susan G. Komen Regional Affiliates to Merge >>
Middlesex United Way
Community Foundation, David Director, Others to be Honored >>
M & T Bank
M&T Bank Announces Grants for Nine Affordable Housing Nonprofits >>
Ridgefield, Ridgefield Sunrise, Danbury, and Newtown Rotary Clubs
Local Rotary Clubs Grant $15K to Ridgefield Playhouse for New Lighting >>
Santander
Santander Donates More Than $3.3M In New Charitable Giving To 118 Northeast NonProfits >>
South Windsor Community Foundation
Raffle Winner Donates Winnings to South Windsor Community Foundation >>
Thomaston Savings Foundation
Foundation Donates to Fuel Banks >>
United Bank
Wells Fargo
SARAH Foundation Receives Grant from Wells Fargo >>
Wells Fargo Employees Choose Greenwich's Kids In Crisis For $10K Grant >>
Wireless Zone Foundation
Wireless Zone Presents $50,000 Total To 13 Local Charities >>
GRANTS and RFPS
Member Grants and RFPs
William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
The Rockfall Foundation
FEBUARY 1: Application deadline: Virginia R. Rollefson Environmental Leadership Scholarship >>
People’s United Community Foundation
FEBRUARY 1: Grant application deadline: For areas of focus - Community Development; Youth Development; Affordable Housing >>
New Canaan Community Foundation
FEBRUARY 10: Application deadline: Main grant cycle >>
J. Walton Bissell Foundation
FEBRUARY 28: Grant application deadline: First of three grant cycles >>
Dominion Foundation
MARCH 1: Grant application deadline: Environmental Education and Stewardship Grants >>
The Fund for Greater Hartford
MARCH 1: Application deadline: Transition Grants to previous grantees >>
APRIL 28: Letter of Intent deadline: Letters of Intent >>
Non-Member Grants and RFPs
Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Places
JANUARY 30: Application deadline: Partners for Places Round 10 Grant Cycle >>
Barr Foundation
FEBRUARY 15: RFP application deadline: A Vision for New England Schools and Programs for Students Off Track to Graduate from High School >>
Santander
FEBRUARY 17: Application deadline: Spring Grant Cycle >>
SCHOLARSHIPS
Bank of America
JANUARY 27: Application deadline: Student Leader Program Summer Internship Program for high school juniors and seniors in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven and Stamford >>
Connecticut Community Foundation (serving Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills region)
FEBRUARY 15: Renewal deadline: Students wishing to renew their scholarships for another year (except for Leever Scholarship) >>
MARCH 15: Application deadline: First-time scholarship applicants and Leever scholarship re-applicants >>
AVANGRID
FEBRUARY 17: Application deadline: Scholarships for master’s studies in energy and/or the environment at nine named universities >>
Connecticut Bar Foundation
FEBRUARY 24: Submission deadline: James W. Cooper Fellows Quintin Johnstone Essay Contest for high school students >>
Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation (serving 20 towns in the Northwest Corner)
APRIL 1: Application deadline: Scholarships for the 2017-2018 academic year >>
Link to Additional CCP Member Scholarship Opportunities >>
EVENTS and OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
High Networth Philanthropy Webinar >>
JANUARY 26: 12:00 - 1:00 PM: Webinar
Bank of America is hosting a webinar on the recently released 2016 U.S. Trust® Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy. The study offers valuable insights that help inform the strategies of nonprofit professionals, wealthy donors and charitable advisors alike. The 2016 U.S. Trust® Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy examines the giving and volunteering trends, behaviors, attitudes, and priorities of wealthy American households. Since 2006, this study has been written and researched in partnership with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. This research series is the most comprehensive and longest running of its kind, and an important barometer for wealthy donors’ charitable engagement and perspectives. Key findings www.ustrust.com/philanthropy from this latest research offer valuable insights that help inform the strategies of nonprofit professionals, wealthy donors and charitable advisors alike. RSVP: Reply with names of attendees by to Carol Heller, SVP, Market Manager - Southern CT, Enterprise Business & Community Engagement, Bank of America, carol.j.heller@bankofamerica.com.
Nonprofit Resource Center’s 2017 Workshop Series >>
JANUARY 26, FEBRUARY 17, and MARCH 16: Public Library of New London
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut is pleased to join the Public Library of New London, a Foundation Center Network Partner, in sponsoring the Nonprofit Resource Center’s 2017 Workshop Series for Nonprofits. Workshops are offered FREE of charge for nonprofit organizations. Workshops include: Raising Money The Right Way: Fundraising Legally In The 21st Century; Using Social Media to Show Gratitude; Writing for Digital - Web, mobile, email, Facebook.
Red, White and Chocolate >>
JANUARY 26: 6:00 - 8:00 PM: Pond House Cafe, West Hartford
The Women's Leadership Council (WLC) of the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut is hosting a wine and chocolate tasting benefit. Proceeds will help strengthen local women and families through the WLC's Family Financial Stability Initiative.
Fairfield County's Giving Day >>
FEBRUARY 1: Nonprofit registration deadline
MARCH 9: Fairfield County’s Giving Day
Powered by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, Giving Day on March 9th is an inspiring day of philanthropy in Fairfield County that benefits a host of area nonprofits. The Community Foundation initiated Giving Day in 2014 to empower the community at large and encourage local philanthropy. Last year over $1.24 million was raised during a 24-hour period for 410 local nonprofits. Fairfield County’s Community Foundation is proud to partner with their lead sponsor Bank of America for the fourth year in a row. Their dedication to this campaign and the greater community of nonprofits in Fairfield County elevates Giving Day and powers its success. Additional champion sponsors include Media Partner Hearst Connecticut Media Group; Magazine Sponsor Moffly Media; Radio Sponsors Star 99.9 and 95.9 Fox; News 12 Connecticut; Cummings & Lockwood; Relyea Zuckerberg Hanson; TFI Envision; First County Bank; Webster Private Bank; Deloitte; and Cummings & Lockwood.
Nonprofit Workshops >>
FEBRUARY 2, 16 & 23; MARCH 7: Various locations in New Haven County
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven offers training forums, workshops and other opportunities to share best practices to organizations serving Greater New Haven and the Valley. Training topics include: Grant Writing 201, Nuts and Bolts, Finding Data for Grants.
Best Practices in Community College Student Success Symposium >>
FEBRUARY 9: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport
Professor Tom Bailey, Director of Community College Research Center at Teachers College, will provide a national landscape review of the field; how it has evolved in last 5 years and projections for the future; funding and scaling lessons learned. The symposium is hosted by Fairfield County's Community Foundation, and is intended for community college staff and faculty, funders and donors, community leaders and elected officials. For more information contact Karen Brown, Fairfield County's Community Foundation, KBrown@fccfoundation.org, 203-750-3200.
Funder Briefing on Youth Justice >>
FEBRUARY 14: 200 PM: The Tow Youth Justice Institute at the University of New Haven, 1076 Campbell Avenue, New Haven
The Tow Foundation is pleased to invite funders to an informal gathering to learn about the impressive efforts of the Tow Youth Justice Institute at the University of New Haven to help our state and cities improve the treatment of youth and young adults caught up in the justice system. Learn how the Institute’s policy, reform and advocacy efforts may align with your foundation’s work and goals for young people. RSVP to Donna Pfrommer, dpfrommer@newhaven.edu, 203-932-7361.
2017 United Way Best Of the Best >>
FEBRUARY 17: 5:00 - 7:00 PM: Hartford Marriott Downtown
The United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut is celebrating workplaces in central and northeastern Connecticut for their outstanding participation in the United Way Campaign. This year – the Best Of the Best – will bring everyone back together to recognize past winners and nominees.
THE POWER OF GOOD PEOPLE
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Welcomes New Board of Director and Names New Officers
Marlene Ibsen has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Since November 2007, Ibsen has served as chief executive officer and president of Travelers Foundation and vice president, Community Relations, for The Travelers Companies. In her role, she manages the company’s giving practices, overseeing the distribution of approximately $20 million in charitable and civic support each year. Read more >>
JoAnn Price has been elected to serve as chair of the volunteer board of directors of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Price succeeds Yvette Meléndez, who completed her three-year term as chair but will be serving one final year on the board of directors. Price, who joined the Board in 2010, is a founding partner and president of Fairview Capital Partners, Incorporated, headquartered in West Hartford. In other board appointments, Theodore “Ted” Sergi was elected vice chair and Andrew Worthington was elected treasurer. Sergi, retired president and CEO of the Connecticut Science Center and former Connecticut Commissioner of Education, was appointed to the Board in 2014. He serves as chair of the Foundation’s Policy and Strategy Committee. Worthington is a partner and senior vice president with Long River Advisors, a nine-person wealth management team with UBS Financial Services. He was appointed to the board in 2015 and serves as chair of the Foundation’s Development Committee. Read more >>
Newman’s Own Foundation Elects John W. Everets to Board of Directors
John W. Everets has been elected to the Board of Directors of Newman’s Own Foundation. Everets is currently a partner at Arcturus Capital in Boston, Massachusetts. “John Everets is a well-respected leader in the financial community with diverse skills and a commitment to excellence,” said Robert Forrester, President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation. “We are pleased that he will help us continue the mission of our founder, Paul Newman, of donating all the profits from the sale of Newman’s Own food and beverage products to help charitable organizations around the world.” Read more >>
Aurora Foundation Appoints Interim Leader
The Aurora Women and Girls Foundation has appointed Magrieta “Maggie” L. Willard to serve as the Foundation’s Interim Executive Director. Maggie will be chiefly responsible for guiding the work of the Foundation in such areas as: grantmaking, philanthropy, strategic planning and communications. For the past 14 years, Maggie served as a senior donor services officer at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (HFPG), and prior to HFPG, she was director of operations at the Donaghue Medical Research Foundation. Read more >>
Negrón Recognized by the Progreso Latino Fund
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's Progreso Latino Fund has featured Michael Negrón in their Celebrating Latino Leaders series. Currently president and CEO of Negrón Consulting, Michael spent more than twenty years in corporate finance and manufacturing operations before creating his own consulting firm, strengthening companies and nonprofits by focusing on human capital over financial goals. Read more @ The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven >>
Chamber Chooses Banker for Dibble Award
The Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce chamber presented Charles Boulier II, president and CEO of Ion Bank and its parent company Ion Financial, with the Lewis A. Dibble Sr. Award at it's annual meeting on Januar 11. Boulier is president of the Ion Bank Foundation and chairman of the American Savings Foundation and America’s Mutual Banks. He is also a board member for the Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Greater Waterbury, and Saint Mary’s Hospital Foundation. Read more @ Citizen's News >>
In Memoriam - Christopher Cox
Christopher Mitchell Cox, trustee of the Elizabeth Mitchell Family Foundation, passed away on January 6, due to complications from a stroke. Chris was known for his communications and development work at the Wadsworth Athenaeum in the 1980's and Mystic Seaport through 2003. He contributed to the building of the Seaport's Collections Research Center and the schooner AMISTAD, and returned later to the Seaport as campaign director for corporate relations for the 38th Voyage of the Charles W. Morgan, a capstone to his career at the museum. Read more >>
ABOUT CCP and CONNECTICUT PHILANTHROPY DIGEST
Connecticut Council for Philanthropy (CCP) is an association of grantmakers committed to promoting and supporting effective philanthropy for the public good.
CCP's members are foundations (private, corporate, community), business and corporate giving programs, bank trusts, donor-advised funds, individual philanthropists, and those serving the philanthropic sector. CCP members granted more than $720 million in 2013 from assets of more than $6.3 billion.
The Connecticut Philanthropy Digest (Digest) is brought to you by the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy. Edited by Laurie Allen, Communications Manager. The Digest is a summary of recent activities by Connecticut foundations and grantmakers, and is compiled and distributed monthly to media outlets, local legislators and grantmakers in order to raise the profile of philanthropy throughout Connecticut. News about Connecticut funders may be submitted to CCP for consideration. 2017 Publication Dates: January 23; February 20; March 20; April 17; May 22; June 19; July 24; Aguust 21; September 18; October 23; November 20; December 18. Submission Deadlines: Close of business one week before the publication date.