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.
CCP members are proud to promote and support effective philanthropy for the public good. You'll find the CCP Member Logo throughout this publication.
Click on the logo and you will be directed to the CCP Member Directory which lists additional news about the featured CCP member organization.
FEATURED PHILANTHROPY NEWS >>
CCP Delegation Urges Congress to Strengthen Charitable Giving >>
CCP Releases Public Sector Perspective on Public-Private Partnership Collaboration Model >>
Foundation Invites Funders to Sign On to Immigration Statement >>
First Year of Program Shows Increase in Access to Healthy Food >>
Foundation Supports Framework to Help Address Root Causes of Hunger >>
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Waterbury Unveils Storymobile >>
Statewide Space-Matching Service Launches First in Fairfield County >>
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 >>
Featured Philanthropy News
CCP Delegation Urges Congress to Strengthen Charitable Giving
More than 250 philanthropy leaders from across the nation, including five representing Connecticut philanthropy, gathered on Capitol Hill on March 21 and 22, to urge lawmakers to strengthen charitable giving in America. Their meetings were part of Foundations on the Hill (#FOTH17), a multi-day event presented by the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers in partnership with the Council on Foundations and the Alliance for Charitable Reform.
The Connecticut delegation visiting #FOTH17, as seen in this photo with Congresswoman Esty, were Connecticut Council for Philanthropy's Incoming President Karla Fortunato, Michael Johnston of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, Linda Franciscovich of the Grossman Family Foundation, Nancy von Euler of Fairfield County's Community Foundation, and Judith Meyers of the Children's Fund of Connecticut and Board Chair of Connecticut Council for Philanthropy.
Participants in Foundations on the Hill were advocating to maintain the full scope and value of the charitable deduction. According to Giving USA, individuals gave more than $358 billion to charities in 2014, with more than 80 percent of those charitable dollars given by taxpayers who itemized and used the charitable deduction. In Connecticut, taxpayers who itemized gave $3.4 billion to charities in 2014. As lawmakers are drafting tax reform legislation, several provisions have been proposed that alter this tax incentive in ways that could significantly reduce charitable giving.
Since 1917, the charitable deduction has been "a lifeline for communities across America, and a guardrail protecting civil society from government intrusion,” said Adam Meyerson, president of The Philanthropy Roundtable, which oversees the Alliance for Charitable Reform project. "We urge Congress to preserve the full scope and value of the charitable deduction. It is good tax policy that emboldens our country’s long-standing tradition of private charitable giving."
During their Hill visits, philanthropy leaders talked with their Congressional representatives about several additional tax policy issues that are important to the growth of charitable giving in our country. These issues include simplifying the private foundation excise tax and allowing IRA charitable rollovers to be made directly to donor advised funds.
- The Charitable Deduction in Connecticut >>
- Philanthropy Leaders Urge Congress to Strengthen Charitable Giving >>
- Grantmakers Blankest Capital Hill Amid Deep Worries Over Taxes and Spending Cuts -- The Chronicle of Philanthropy >>
CCP Releases Public Sector Perspective on Public-Private Partnership Collaboration Model
The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy (CCP) has released the third paper in a series exploring the public-private partnership undertaken by the Connecticut Early Childhood Funder Collaborative, the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy and the State of Connecticut.
The series examines an emerging systems change collaboration model which grew out of a funder-and-state partnership. This unique partnership led to the creation by executive order of a new and independent Office of Early Childhood, which was formally approved by the Connecticut State Legislature in 2013.
This final paper, Co-Creation: The Public Sector Perspective, shows how those working within the public sector—specifically in the State of Connecticut—in forged new working relationships with the philanthropic community.
“We had to go beyond collective agreements and begin to understand what we each could and could not do based on the organizational structures, roles, and rules within which we worked,” commented Carlotta Schechter, member, State of Connecticut Early Childhood Planning Team.
"Our three-part study is significant, as there is much written about funder partnerships and collaboration success stories, but little discussion on different kinds of collaborative ventures and the lessons learned by philanthropy and the public sector," states Collaborative Executive Director Carol O'Donnell.
The first paper, Co-Creation: Viewing Partnerships Through a New Lens, provided a look at public-private partnerships that effectively assess and sustain efforts to improve outcomes for children in partnership with the State of Connecticut.
The second paper, Taking on New Roles to Address 21st Century Problems, explored the role of the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy (CCP) in the collaborative. For CCP, this was an opportunity to explore and test a new working structure in response to the desire within Connecticut’s philanthropic community to achieve meaningful and large-scale systems change.
CCP serves as a fiscal sponsor for the Connecticut Early Childhood Funder Collaborative. The Collaborative comprises 14 grantmaking organizations from around the state who bring many years of experience in supporting and operating programs that serve the needs of children and families.
Foundation Invites Funders to Sign On to Immigration Statement
This month, The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut (CFECT) Board of Trustees voted to make a statement on immigration.
The statement begins: Generations of immigrants from all over the world have established the United States as the standard bearer for the protection of inalienable rights and freedoms of people facing oppression and persecution. Our country is a land of opportunity for immigrants and refugees seeking a better life for themselves and their families. As a philanthropic institution, we have built our Mission on this proud and rich tradition. We have invested in creating healthy communities, promoted diversity and inclusion, advanced equity and equality for all people, regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, immigration status or national origin. Read the full statement >>
CFECT encourages all foundations — big and small — to sign on to this statement by emailing Communications Officer Jill Blanchette at jill@cfect.org. She will add each foundation as a joint supporter of the statement on CFECT's website (http://www.cfect.org/About/Statement-on-Immigration) and Facebook page, both of which prominently feature the statement.
First Year of Program Shows Increase in Access to Healthy Food
Based on an independent evaluation of the first year of their Healthy Food Fund projects, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation reports that the amount of healthy, local produce distributed to low-income families in the region increased 87 percent as a result of Healthy Food Fund contributions; and the amount of produce sold increased 63 percent to 827,000 pounds.
"We are so pleased we can show how relatively small investments in local organizations can measurably improve access to healthy food," said Harvard Pilgrim Foundation's President, Karen Voci.
In 2016, more than $1.4 million in grants was distributed to the Foundation’s Healthy Food Fund initiatives, supporting programs that grow, distribute and/or market fresh food for low-income families and communities. The Healthy Food Fund initiative works with 26 organizations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Read more >>
Foundation Supports Framework to Help Address Root Causes of Hunger
Farmington Bank Community Foundation has granted $30,000 to the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) and and Urban Alliance to support More than Food. This program helps food pantries with more capacity-building resources and short-term food supplies to address the root causes of hunger. More than Food, developed by USJ, Urban Alliance and Foodshare, was initially launched with funding from the Farmington Bank Community Foundation in 2014. This latest grant supports the program over the next two years.
“More than Food focuses on promoting healthy food in pantries and helping people access other resources to find a job. We’re proud to support a partnership that is trying to find a solution to the hunger problem,” said Chris Traczyk, executive director of the Farmington Bank Community Foundation. “It’s a comprehensive, collective-impact project.”
Dr. Katie Martin, assistant professor and director of the Public Health Program at USJ, and her research team developed a nutrition stoplight system called Supporting Wellness at Pantries, or “SWAP”, which helps food pantry clients choose healthier foods. USJ is collaborating with the UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity and the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport to pilot the SWAP system in six food pantries in CT, which together serve over 5,000 people on average every month. Under the More than Food framework, the grant from the Farmington Bank Community Foundation will help expand this work to offer trainings and implement and evaluate the SWAP system in additional food pantries. Read more >>
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Waterbury Unveils Storymobile
In February 2017, Literacy Volunteers of Greater Waterbury, in partnership with many community organizations, unveiled the Storymobile. Outfitted with shelves of new and gently used books appropriate for children through grade eight, the colorful, inviting trailer will distribute thousands of free books to area children, particularly those from low-incomes families.
Said Agati, “Our goals are to expand the walls of the public libraries, give children more access to books, promote programs at the Silas Bronson library and encourage a lifelong love of learning.”
The Storymobile will meet children at places such as park and recreation programs, apartment complexes, summer camps, and family movie nights throughout Greater Waterbury. Agati projected that the Storymobile will distribute 7,500 books to several thousand children in 2017. Up until now, Agati and her dedicated team—including Vanessa Vowe, Kelly Pinho and Stephanie Cummings—had been distributing the books out of the trunks of their cars.
Connecticut Community Foundation’s online 2016 giving event, Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills, was instrumental in filling the Storymobile’s shelves. Last year’s Give Local event netted Literacy Volunteers over $3,000, which was used to purchase books for the new trailer. Read the Full Story >>
Learn More About the April 24-25, 2017 Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills >>
Statewide Space-Matching Service Launches First in Fairfield County
Made possible through a grant from the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA), SpaceFinder Connecticut, a new statewide online space-matching service, has been launched in Fairfield County, through the agency of The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County.
The service is designed to enable individual artists and cultural groups more easily find spaces to rent in order to create, rehearse, practice, perform, and exhibit their work. SpaceFinder is a program of Fractured Atlas, a national arts service organization founded in 1988.
“We are excited to launch SpaceFinder Connecticut in partnership with the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County. Through this initiative, that we plan to expand across the entire state over the course of this year, we are making artistic spaces, including performance, rehearsal, screening, studio, filming, and recording spaces, widely and easily available to artists and creatives all over Connecticut,” said Ms. Newman-Scott.
Having established a foothold in Fairfield County, the database will be rolled out using a carefully developed schedule across the rest of the state, through the agency of COA’s other regional service organizations. Learn more >>
Philanthropy News Links
CCP Member News Links
Aetna
- Pledge From CEOs: We'll Give $10M To Help Hartford >>
- Philanthropy to the Rescue in Another Struggling City, This Time in Connecticut >>
- Hartford Nonprofits Raise $96,154 in 3 Rounds of Bracket-Style Fundraising Tournament; 8 Local Nonprofits Go On to Next Round >>
American Savings Foundation
Bank of America
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
Branford Community Foundation
Cigna Foundation
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain
Connecticut Community Foundation
Connecticut Humanities
- Humanities Programs Threatened >>
- Avon Historical Society Receives Grant for "Moments in Avon History" Banners >>
- Nine Organizations Receive Quick Grants That Will Bring History to the Public >>
Cox Communications
Fairfield County's Community Foundation
Farmington Bank Community Foundation
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
- Kelly Leaving Behind a Larger Hartford Foundation >>
- Foundation Sponsor's Reentry Employment and Resource Fair >>
- East Hartford Public Schools Receives Nearly $812K to Support Parent, Community Partnership and Early Childhood Efforts >>
Liberty Bank Foundation
Main Street Community Foundation
The Melville Charitable Trust
Newman's Own Foundation
Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation
People's United Community Foundation
The Rockfall Foundation
Travelers
- Pledge From CEOs: We'll Give $10M To Help Hartford >>
- Philanthropy to the Rescue in Another Struggling City, This Time in Connecticut >>
United Way of Connecticut
United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
- Human Resources Agency of New Britain Fast-Tracks City Couple to Self-Sufficiency >>
- United Way Celebrates the Love of Good at 92nd Annual Meeting >>
United Way of Western Connecticut
Non-Member News Links
AvalonBay
Connecticut Office of the Arts
The Hartford
- Pledge From CEOs: We'll Give $10M To Help Hartford >>
- Philanthropy to the Rescue in Another Struggling City, This Time in Connecticut >>
ION Bank Foundation
Stanley Black and Decker
Tariq Farid Foundation
Grants and RFPs
Member Grants and RFPs
William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
Perrin Family Foundation
- RAPID RESPONSE SUPPORT: Mini-grants to support and enhance the safety and resilience of communities responding to current, emerging, or heightened threats, harassment and trauma resulting from current events and related to manifestations of oppression in a specific community >>
Nellie Mae Education Foundation
- MARCH 29: Request for Proposal deadline: Continuous Improvement Evaluation >>
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
- MARCH 30: Application deadline: Responsive grants >>
Branford Community Foundation
- MARCH 31: Application deadline: Competitive quarterly grant cycle >>
Main Street Community Foundation
- MARCH 31: Application deadline: General Cycle Grants >>
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain
- APRIL 1: Application deadline: Community Sponsorships for Events June-September >>
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
- APRIL 1: Grant application deadline: Wassermann-Streit Y’diyah Memorial Fund >>
- MAY 1: Grant application deadline: Region One Athletic Fund >>
American Savings Foundation
- APRIL 7: Application deadline: After School Grant Proposal >>
Aetna Foundation
- APRIL 14: Stage 1 application deadline: 2017 Cultivating Healthy Communities Grant Program >>
Bank of America
- APRIL 21: Submission deadline: 2017 Art Conservation Project Grants >>
New Canaan Community Foundation
- APRIL 21: Grant application deadline: 2017 Sapienza Scholarship Block Grant >>
The Fund for Greater Hartford
- APRIL 28: Letter of Intent deadline: Letters of Intent >>
Connecticut Community Foundation
- APRIL 28: Application deadline: 2017 Sponsorships for Events after June 30 - October 29 >>
The Donaghue Foundation
- MAY 1: Letter of Intent deadline: Greater Value Portfolio for funded research projects for the purpose of creating new approaches to achieving a higher value healthcare system >>
Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation
- May 2: Application deadline: Excellence in the Arts quarterly grant cycle >>
George H. C. Ensworth Memorial Fund
- MAY 15: Application deadline: Annual grant cycle >>
J. Walton Bissell Foundation
- MAY 31: Application deadline: Grantmaking cycle >>
Non-Member Grants and RFPs
Katherine Matthies Foundation
- MAY 1: Application deadline: Annual grant cycle >>
Scholarships
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain
- MARCH: Application deadlines vary, most arrive in late March: Scholarships >>
SBM Charitable Foundation
- MARCH 31: Application deadline: Scholarships for High School Seniors >>
Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund
- APRIL 1: Application deadline: Scholarships for High School Seniors >>
Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation
- APRIL 1: Application deadline: Scholarships for the 2017-2018 academic year >>
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
- APRIL 1: Scholarship application deadline: Andrea Wagner Women in Science Scholarship Fund; Ferris Burtis Scholarship Fund; George H. and Lucille E. Buterbaugh Scholarship Fund; Teddy Lee Drumm Memorial Scholarship Fund >>
- MAY 1: Scholarship application deadline: Arts Fund for Region One >>
- JUNE 30: Scholarship application deadline: Tabor Foundation Fund >>
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
- APRIL 3: Scholarship deadline: Bulkeley Alumni-Harold J. Arkava Scholarship Fund; Cahill Black Point Education Fund >>
- APRIL 7: Scholarship application deadline: High School Seniors >>
Link to Additional CCP Member Scholarship Opportunities >>
Events and Other Opportunities
CT Places Coalition Advocacy Day >>
MARCH 29: 10:30 am - 4:30 pm: State Capital and Legislative Office Building, Hartford
The CTPlaces Coalition will host their annual Advocacy Day to illustrate the importance of public investment in Connecticut humanities, libraries, museums, history, and preservation organizations. The Coalition believes that the erosion of state investment in these organizations is a direct threat to what makes our state an attractive place to live and work. The day's activities include an advocacy workshop, legislative briefing, visits with lawmakers and exhibits. Cooperating organizations in CCP member Connecticut Humanities.
Aurora Foundation's 2017 Young Woman Philanthropist >>
MARCH 30: The Nomination deadline has been extended to APRIL 7!
The Aurora Foundation for Women and Girls in Greater Hartford is seeking nominations for Greater Hartford young women between the ages of 14 to 18 years old (current high school freshmen, sophomores or juniors) who are doing great things in our community. Aurora wants to recognize a young woman who has identified a need or issue in her community and has actively addressed the problem. The honoree will be recognized as Aurora’s 2017 Young Philanthropist of the Year at our annual breakfast on Friday, October 20, 2017. She will have an opportunity to share her experiences with breakfast attendees and she will receive a small monetary award.
The Rockfall Foundation Annual Symposium: Water: Too Much or Not Enough? >>
MARCH 31: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm, UCONN Middlesex County Extension Office, Haddam
The Rockfall Foundation's annual symposium will examine the impact of changing precipitation patterns on communities and a variety of adaptive responses for municipalities, residents, and businesses. Presenters address the challenges of managing infrastructure, maintaining adequate water supplies, supporting local agriculture, fighting insect borne disease, and planning for smart design.
Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills >>
APRIL 3: Nonprofits registration deadline for 21-town service
APRIL 25-26: Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills
Connecticut Community Foundation will host its fifth annual online community giving event, Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills, and nonprofit organizations who provide services in the region are invited to participate. Participating agencies can receive substantial dollars while also raising awareness for their vital work through the broad media exposure and marketing reach generated by hundreds of local businesses, individuals and organizations leading up to and during the event. Since the first event in 2013, Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills has raised $3.1 million in unrestricted funding for nonprofit organizations in the region. Ion Bank Foundation is the presenting sponsor for the fifth consecutive year.
The Great Give Workshop Series >>
APRIL 4: Engaging Donors
APRIL 19: Kimbia Mechanics of the Giving Event Platform
MAY 2-3: The Great Give
This series of workshops is specifically designed to help nonprofits maximize their success in The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's The Great Give, May 2-3, 2017. The Great Give® 2017 is the eighth major community-wide giving event on giveGreater.org® taking place for 36 hours starting 8:00 am on May 2 and ending 8:00 pm on May 3. Between 2010-2016, giveGreater.org® has distributed more than $5 million in grants to nonprofits as a result of direct donations through seven giving events.
Fueling Connecticut Pitch Competition >>
APRIL 4: 6:00 - 9:00 pm: Stamford Innovation Center, Stamford
Social Venture Partners Connecticut is calling all nonprofit or for-profit entrepreneurs who have an idea that will create jobs, close Connecticut's opportunity gap and make the state's economy strong again. Contestants will make a 3-minute pitch and get feedback from a panel of judges who will select a winner of $1,000 to fuel their idea. Judges will evaluate the pitches on whether the idea can improve Connecticut and if the presenter has the necessary skills, experience, and connections to execute the concept.
The Nonprofit Advisory Institute Trainings >>
APRIL 5: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm, University of Bridgeport, Waterbury Campus
Connecticut Community Foundation's Nonprofit Advisory Institute offers basic skill and advanced trainings throughout the year. The Effective Communication with Prospects and Donors workshop will focus on nonprofit newsletters, web sites, and grant reports, and will also touch upon getting to know and segmenting your audiences, conducting a successful site visit with your funder, assessing and re-adjusting your communications efforts for maximum impact, and cultivating all donors for future support.
2017 Leadership Enrichment for Advancing Professionals (LEAP) >>
APRIL 7 - JUNE 9: Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, Torrington
The Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation is pleased to request applications to attend the 2017 LEAP program presented by Danosky & Associates, LLC. LEAP consists of 7 three-hour sessions and 1 six-hour session designed to build a foundation of skills and awareness. Each of the eight sessions empower participants to: apply new skills; utilize new knowledge; moderate incremental change; address transformational change; engage in short- and long-term planning; and share content with board and staff. Current nonprofit executive directors who are interested in improving their competencies and broadening their leadership skills are encouraged to participate.
Community Food Funders Champions Award >>
APRIL 14: Nomination deadline
The Community Food Funders (CFF) has created a new award to recognize leaders empowering food system change in the Connecticut, New Jersey, New York region. The CFF Champion will be presented with a $5,000 grant to support their work. Funders, including staff or trustees of a foundation, may nominate any organization or individual whether or not they are actively funding that work. Nonprofit organizations and individuals may not apply on their own.
Invest Health New Britain >>
APRIL 18: 8:00 - 9:00 am: Hospital for Special Care, New Britain
Robin Sharp, executive director of YWCA New Britain, will make a presentation about “Invest Health New Britain,” part of a national program jointly funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Reinvestment Fund designed to bring together leaders from mid-sized U.S. cities to develop new strategies to fund and accelerate improvements in neighborhoods facing barriers to better health. This is the second meeting of the Greater New Britain Community Providers Network, an outgrowth of the Community Health Needs Forum and Exchange coordinated last September by the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, Hospital of Central Connecticut and Hospital for Special Care. Those interested in joining the Network should contact Kimberly Duncan, Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, kduncan@cfgnb.org, 860-229-6018, ext. 300.
College Success Forum: Building Futures for Women and Girls >>
APRIL 18: 10:00 - 11:30 am: Legislative Office Building, Hartford
Aurora Foundation for Women and Girls in Greater Hartford is presenting a College Success Forum that will feature a panel discussion to explore the obstacles preventing women to succeed in college and to learn about innovative programs that propel women to success.
A Brighter Future for Infants and Toddlers >>
APRIL 19: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm: Connecticut Hospital Association, Wallingford
An Opportunity to Learn about a Campaign to Prevent Serious Injuries and Fatalities in Connecticut. The forum will include an overview of the trends involving child fatalities, both nationally in Connecticut, as well as highlight the interagency and multidisciplinary work underway in Connecticut to address frequent causes of child fatalities, including safe sleep and abusive head trauma. The forum is intended to raise awareness of the public health campaigns underway and sustainability opportunities for partners. The Forum is presented by the The Public Health Work Group, a public-private collaboration of the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Department of Children and Families, Department of Public Health, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Office of the Child Advocate, Casey Family Programs, Connecticut Hospital Association, Day Kimball Hospital and Yale New Haven Health Systems.
Fund for Women and Girls Annual Luncheon >>
APRIL 20: Hyatt Regency, Greenwich
Fairfield County's Community Foundation's Fund for Women and Girls annual event will feature Keynote Andrea Jung, president and CEO of Grameen America and former CEO of Avon Products. A role model and trailblazer for women, Andrea Jung was Avon's first female CEO. She is credited with defining Avon as more than just a cosmetics company, leading it to become the company for women and enabling economic independence and self-sufficiency for millions of women worldwide. Jung is currently the President & CEO of Grameen America, where she is working to scale the organization to solve economic issues for women and their families across the country through microloans, training, and support.
Planned Giving Basics: What Every Nonprofit Should Know >>
APRIL 20: 1:00 - 4:00 pm: Saint James Place, Great Barrington, MA
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires invite nonprofit executive directors, development staff and board members to attend “Planned Giving Basics: What Every Nonprofit Should Know.” The training will explore the various elements of planned giving, including: basic planned gift options; your best prospects for planned gifts and how to talk to them; and getting started on a planned giving program. Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation serves northwest Litchfield County, CT; Berkshire County, MA; and Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY.
Week of the Young Child Volunteers >>
APRIL 20: Bridgeport and APRIL 24-28: Norwalk
During the month of April, United Way of Coastal Fairfield County celebrates the Week of the Young Child (WOYC). Volunteers join pre-school children across Norwalk and Bridgeport to read aloud in classrooms. If you would like to participate, please respond by email to dfreeman@unitedwaycfc.org with your: Name, Organization/Company Affiliation, Email Address, Phone Number and preference of a Bridgeport or Norwalk pre-school.
Touch a Life Luncheon >>
APRIL 25: New Canaan
New Canaan Community Foundation's (NCCF) event recognizes the unsung heroes of the New Canaan Department of Human Services and features keynote speaker and acclaimed author Annette Ross as she speaks about her family's inspiring story of struggle and resilience. The event benefits the NCCF Touch a Life program. Reservations may be directed to mernst@newcanaancf.org.
Wonder of Women Event >>
APRIL 27: 5:30 pm: Aqua Turf Club, Southington
Main Street Community Foundation's 16th annual Wonder of Women (WOW) will feature guest speaker Silvia Baldini, a nationally recognized chef and winner of Food Network's Chopped. Proceeds from the event support grants to programs assisting women and girls in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott.
Trauma and the Brain: The Body Remembers >>
MAY 25: 6:00 - 8:00 pm: The Interlaken, Lakeville
The Foundation for Community Health's annual medical education lecture for health and science professionals will feature a presentation by Dr. Bessel A. van der Kolk, author of the New York Times best-seller: "The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain and Body in the Healing of Trauma." RSVP by May 19 or ASAP as seating is limited >>
Workforce of the Future Initiative >>
JUNE 8: 5:30 - 7:30 pm: Hospital of Central Connecticut, New Britain
The public is invited to attend the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain's Catalyst Fund meeting. Experts in the workforce topic will make a presentation and Fund members will launch the process of crafting a Request for Proposal, which will be made available to programs and agencies interested in applying for the grant. Two more meetings will follow in September and November, with the process resulting in an end-of-year, $10,000 award. A light supper and refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to Kimberly Duncan by June 1 at kduncan@cfgnb.org or 860-229-6018, ext. 300.
The power of good people
Padilla Recognized by the Progreso Latino Fund
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's Progreso Latino Fund has featured Frances Padilla in their Celebrating Latino Leaders series. Currently president of the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut, Frances has also worked for the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. Frances is a CCP Board Director and chairs the Government Relations and Policy Committee. Read more @ The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven >>
Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation Names New Director
Adrian Selby of Litchfield, has been named to the board of directors of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation. “Adrian embodies all the personal and professional qualities we look for in Foundation Board membership,” said Community Foundation president Guy Rovezzi. “His philanthropic spirit and dedication to assisting organizations that improve the welfare of our Northwest Corner, combined with his strong business and analytical skills make him uniquely qualified to further the important work of the Community Foundation.” Read more >>
New Leaders Welcomed at Main Street Community Foundation
The Main Street Community Foundation elected officers and two new board members at its annual meeting on March 17, 2017. Officers elected to serve for the 2017-2019 term are: John D. Scarritt, Chairman; Michael Brault, Vice Chair; Valerie DePaolo, Secretary; Marguerite Fletcher, Treasurer; and John A. Letizia, Past Board Chair. The two new directors representing the communities the Foundation serves are:
Mary Ellen “Mell” Hobson, a Southington native, previously served on the Foundation Board of Directors a decade ago and is a longtime Advisory Committee member of the Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust at the Foundation. She is passionate about helping others as evidenced by her career as a registered nurse and her positions with several local nonprofit organizations.
Jennifer Scully is a lifetime resident of Wolcott who has been an active member of the Foundation’s Distribution and Scholarship Committees for many years. The owner of Scully Travel, Jennifer is a business leader in the Wolcott community, and a member of the Wolcott Chamber of Commerce. Read more >>
Valley Community Foundation Announces New Board Members
The Valley Community Foundation (VCF) is proud to announce the appointment of four new board members: Francis H. Michaud, Jr., Raymond Oppel, Fred Ortoli and Marianne Smythe, and thanks departing board members, Susan Coyle and John Zaprzalka, for their service to the Foundation and the Valley community. 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, Director of Communications. 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: April 17; May 22; June 19; July 24; August 21; September 18; October 23; November 20; December 18. Submission Deadlines: Close of business one week before the publication date.