CT Philanthropy Digest - August 2017

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

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FEATURED PHILANTHROPY NEWS >>

Funders Respond to Charlottesville and Resources >>

Opioid Report for Northwest CT Reveals Need, Provides Insights and Resources >>

Home-Visiting Program for First-Time Families Expands in CT >>

Career, College and Civics Readiness for Latino Youth Gets Boost from Comcast >>

Effective Community School Wraparound Services To Continue With Partnership Recommitment >>

PHILANTHROPY NEWS LINKS >>
GRANTS and RFPS >>
EVENTS and OTHER OPPORTUNITIES >>
THE POWER OF GOOD PEOPLE >>
JOBS IN PHILANTHROPY >>
ABOUT CCP and the CONNECTICUT PHILANTHROPY DIGEST >>        
  Featured Philanthropy News 

Funders Respond to Charlottesville and Resources

Last week the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy penned a response to the riots in Charlottesville. We want to share other thoughtful and supportive statements from CCP members and local and national colleagues:

Other statements and responses

Event

  • The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America
    SEPTEMBER 13: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Grace Farms, New Canaan
    CCP's Fairfield County Funder Network in partnership with Open Communities Alliance is partnering with the Open Communities Alliance to host a conversation with historian and legal expert Richard Rothstein about the history of housing segregation in the United States. A panel of funders and housing experts will complement Mr. Rothstein’s talk and help put a Connecticut lens on the issues. Panelists will include: Karen DuBois-Walton, executive director, Elm City Communities/Housing Authority of New Haven (panel moderator) and Don Chen, director, Equitable Development, Ford Foundation. We hope you’ll join us >>

Resources

Share Your Statements Responces and Resources

At CCP, we want to help our members work together to support a more equitable Connecticut and this means helping more foundations integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into their grantmaking. If you have responses, suggested resources, or ideas about how we can better do this, we invite you to share them with us.     

Opioid Report for Northwest CT Reveals Need, Provides Insights and ResourcesCCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

Beneath the Surface, a new report on the opioid epidemic in Northwest Connecticut, reveals the dramatic increase in the number of people affected by opioid addiction in the region. The report not only cites data and statistics that reveals the critical problem, but includes poignant stories, describes current strategies to combat the epidemic, lists best practices with an inventory of those available in Northwest Connecticut, and provides resources and suggestions for action.

In Northwest Connecticut:

- From 2007 to 2010, arrests for Drug/Narcotic Violations and Drug Equipment Violations in Northwest Connecticut increased by 23.5%.

- Between 2012 and 2016, admissions to Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) for opioid addiction treatment have increased by 110% with a 90% increase in new clients. In 2016, more than half of all admissions to DMHAS in the state were from the Northwest.

The Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, the Foundation for Community Health, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, and the McCall Center for Behavioral Health partnered to produce the report and are committed to applying collective resources and strengths to support current and ongoing efforts to address the epidemic. Read more >>  

Home-Visiting Program for First-Time Families Expands in CTCCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

Mother baby floor playYale University’s Minding the Baby® (MTB) National Office was awarded an 18-month grant from The Grossman Family Foundation to expand home visiting intervention in Connecticut. A partnership between the MTB National Office, Family & Children’s Agency and Family Centers is making MTB services available to at-risk and income constrained families living in Norwalk and Stamford. This expansion will help broaden the continuum of home visiting services available in each community as they work to strengthen families and promote healthy development in young children. 

MTB is a federally recognized, evidence-based, intensive home visiting model developed for first-time young families. Founded by faculty members at the Yale Child Study Center and Yale School of Nursing in collaboration with Fair Haven Community Health Clinic in New Haven, the model reflects a rich collaboration among perspectives in prenatal care, parenting, maternal health, infant mental health, and pediatric health. Currently, MTB services are offered to a small number of families in New Haven through the National Office; as well as through replication projects at Florida State University’s Young Parents Project in Miami, and in areas of Scotland, England, and Denmark. Read more >>   

Career, College and Civics Readiness for Latino Youth Gets Boost from ComcastCCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

The Comcast Foundation has awarded a $20,000 grant to the Center for Latino Progress’ FUTUROS program. FUTUROS targets Hartford’s Latino youth who face obstacles that might otherwise prevent them from being able to achieve their life goals and offers training, activities, and youth employment opportunities to help them prepare for college and technical careers. The program also incorporates cultural exploration to ensure youth broaden their interests and skill sets to be well rounded and to facilitate success.  

“Comcast believes in giving back to the communities where our customers and employees live and work,” said Dan Glanville, Vice President of Government, Regulatory and Community Affairs for Comcast’s Western New England region, which is headquartered in Berlin, Connecticut. “We do this by partnering with organizations, like the Center for Latino Progress, who are making a difference in people’s lives by providing tools and resources to help propel them forward. We’re proud to support FUTUROS, which is exposing students to hands-on experiences that they’ll take with them into college and the workforce.” Learn more >>         

Effective Community School Wraparound Services To Continue With Partnership RecommitmentCCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

On August 16, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, Hartford Public School superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving president Jay Williams and United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut president Paula Gilberto signed a memorandum of understanding indicating their continuing investment in the Hartford Partnership for Student Success (HPSS) and support for further development of Hartford Community Schools.

Launched in 2007, the expanding Partnership which presently includes both the core supporters of Hartford Community Schools and other lead investors in Hartford schools, such as Aetna and The Hartford, is committed to increasing family, school and community partnership and Hartford students’ opportunities to experience success. Community schools are neighborhood schools that offer students instructional services significantly supplemented with homework help, tutorial and remedial services and academic enrichment, as well as child development; mental health, behavioral, wellness and social services; life skills training; cultural and recreational services; family support and other resources.

Progress highlights cited in the Hartford Community School Evaluation Report 2015-2016 include:

- In five Hartford Community Schools rates of chronic absenteeism fell an average of 6 percentage points between the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years, double the rate of the district.

- Students who persist in HCS’ afterschool programs for three or four consecutive years showed significantly more growth in MAP ‘raw’ scores (18 score point gain in reading and 17 score point gain in mathematics) than students who participated for fewer than three years or those who did not participate.

- The ‘raw’ MAP scores of English Learner students who received “targeted supports” (more intensive interventions) improved with average gains of 8 score points in reading and 13 score points in mathematics between the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years. Read more >>            

  Philanthropy News Links
CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoCCP Member News Links

American Savings Foundation

AVANGRID

Cigna Foundation

Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

Community Foundation of Greater New Britain

Connecticut Community Foundation

Eversource Energy

Fairfield County's Community Foundation

Farmington Bank

Foundation for Community Health

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford

Liberty Bank Foundation

Main Street Community Foundation

Newman's Own Foundation

People's United Community Foundation

The Rockfall Foundation

SBM Charitable Foundation

The Tow Foundation

United Way of Central & Northeastern Connecticut

United Way of Western Connecticut

Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut

Valley Community Foundation

Non-Member News Links

1772 Foundation

Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation

Charter Oak Federal Credit Union

Community Fund of Darien

ESPN

First County Bank Foundation

Greenwich United Way

Charles H. Kaman Charitable Foundation

Inner-City Foundation For Charity & Education

Panorama Foundation

St. Baldric's Foundation

Werth Family Foundation

             

  Grants and RFPs
CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoMember Grants and RFPs

Ahearn Family Foundation

The Guilford Foundation

Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation

Trust for Learning

Travelers Foundation

Main Street Community Foundation

J. Walton Bissell Foundation

Branford Community Foundation

Liberty Bank Foundation

Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation

Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

Connecticut Community Foundation

Dominion Energy

Community Foundation of Greater New Britain

Non-Member Grants and RFPs

Anthem Foundation

Community Foundation of Middlesex County

Chelsea Groton Foundation

The Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities

    Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation

      Events and Other Opportunities

    Overdose Awareness Day >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

    AUGUST 31: 7:00 pm: Pop-Up Park, New Canaan
    New Canaan Community Foundation and the New Canaan Parent Support Group are hosting an Overdose Awareness Day with speakers, music and remembrances. The event will honor those who have died due to overdose and addiction and bring the community together.

    Convening: Celebrating 20 Years of New Haven Healthy Start >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

    SEPTEMBER 7: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm: Omni Hotel @ Yale, New Haven
    The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's, New Haven Healthy Start is hosting a 20th anniversary convening: Then, Now & Beyond. Featured speakers are Arthur R. James, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center and Deborah L. Frazier, CEO, National Healthy Start Association. The convening topics will include: 20 years of infant mortality; 20 years of women's and children's health; and 20 years of fatherhood and families.

    Health Equity and Access Forum >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

    SEPTEMBER 7: 5:30 pm: Hartford Public Library's Center for Contemporary Culture, Hartford
    Connecticut Health Foundation and WNPR are hosting a conversation on bias and stereotyping factors in the Health Care System. Special guests include: Crystal Emery, New Haven-based filmmaker, writer, and activist; Dr. Forrester Lee, Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) and Associate Dean for Multicultural Affairs at the Yale School of Medicine; Dr. Dowin Boatright, Assistant Professor at the Yale School of Medicine and Emergency Medicine physician; and Yolanda Caldera-Durant, Director of Programs at Fund the People.

    Cast a Vote - 3 $20K Grants. 82 Contenders. 20 Semifinalists >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

    SEPTEMBER 5 - 15: Public voting window
    Liberty Bank Foundation's 20th Birthday Celebration includes a video grants competition. They received 82 videos from nonprofits vying for a $20,000 Liberty Bank Foundation grant in one of three categories, Education for Economic Success, Affordable and Supportive Housing, and Basic Needs. The nine selected finalists will compete for one $20,000 grant in each category. See the runners up >>  Public voting will start on September 5 >>

    Nominate an Environmental Champion >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

    SEPTEMBER 15: Nomination deadline
    Each year The Rockfall Foundation honors individuals, non-profit organizations, members of the business community, and other groups to highlight their contributions to the quality of life in the Lower Connecticut River Valley. The Distinguished Service Award is given to an organization or individual for outstanding ongoing or long-term accomplishments in the area of environmental preservation, conservation, restoration, or education. Awardees will be recognized at The Rockfall Foundation's Annual Meeting and Grants & Awards Celebration in November. Download a nomination form and view a list of past recipients >>

    Nominate a Hometown Hero >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

    SEPTEMBER 15: Nomination deadline
    United Way of Western Connecticut is now accepting nominations to honor local individuals and at its 4th Annual Hometown Heroes Benefit Dinner on Saturday, December 2, 2017 in Danbury. "UWWC’s Hometown Hero awards celebrate the unsung heroes who live in our local communities and lead by example, giving back to others because it feels good to do so, and demonstrate a strong commitment to making an impact on the lives of others." A Hometown Hero is distinguished through their philanthropy and volunteerism. The new Emerging Hero Awards will celebrate the accomplishments of our community’s newest generation of volunteers and community leaders.

    Center for Nonprofit Excellence >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

    SEPTEMBER 15: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm: Sacred Heart University, Fairfield
    SEPTEMBER 21: 4:30 - 7:30 pm: Fairfield County's Community Foundation, Norwalk
    Fairfield County's Community Foundation's Center for Nonprofit Excellence provides education and tools to help nonprofits grow and thrive. The Center's workshops and trainings start in September with Essential Business Skills Series: A Guide To Delivering Professional Presentations and Board Essentials. Find the full schedule >>

    Free Seminar: Effective, Lawful and Compliant Business Practice for Nonprofits >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

    SEPTEMBER 19: 8:00am - 3:30 pm: Ethan Allen Hotel, Danbury
    Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation and United Way of Western Connecticut invite nonprofits to participate in interactive sessions to gain valuable insights regarding legal and business issues relevant to their organizations. Workshop topics include: Employment Law; Worksite Security and Protection from Armed Intruders; Cyber Security; Careful Communication; and Optimizing the Volunteer Experience/Volunteers Share their Feedback. This is Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation’s 6th Skills-based Nonprofit Workshop which relies on the generous efforts of internal and external volunteers. To reserve one or more seats, contact Sharon Donaghey. 

    Celebration of Women Breakfast >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

    SEPTEMBER 22: 7:30 - 9:00 am: Hilton Mystic, Mystic
    The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut's Southeast and Norwich Area Women & Girls Funds are hosting a Celebration of Women featuring a conversation with Elsa Núñez, president of Eastern Connecticut State University. The author of two books “Pursuing Diversity” (1992) and “Hanging Out and Hanging On: From the Projects to the Campus” (2014), Dr. Núñez also has published numerous articles on language acquisition, diversity and other education issues.

    Celebrating 40 years >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

    SEPTEMBER 26: 6:00 pm: Waveny House, New Canaan
    The New Canaan Community Foundation will celebrate 40 years of supporting its community. Save the date!

    Gender, Voting and The Voting Rights Act >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

    SEPTEMBER 27: 5:00 - 7:00 pm: New Haven
    The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's Community Fund for Women & Girls' next briefing will feature Dr. Khalilah Brown-Dean, associate professor of political science at Quinnipiac University and a frequent contributor to The Washington Post, CNN, Ebony.com, Fox News Radio, WNPR, AURN, CTV and other outlets.

    Signature Breakfast: Building Futures for Women and Girls >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

    OCTOBER 20: 7:30 - 9:30 am: Hartford Marriott Downtown, Hartford
    Aurora Foundation for Women and Girls presents its 12th Annual Signature breakfast featuring Keynote Speaker Tiffany Dufu, chief leadership officer at Levo, the fastest growing millennial professional network and author of Drop the Ball. Signature Breakfast honorees include the 2017 Woman Philanthropist of the Year, Shannon Klenk, and the 2017 Young Philanthropist of the Year, Olivia McAdams.

    The Importance of Laughter >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

    OCTOBER 21: Noon - 3:00 pm: Chatterley’s Banquet Hall, Torrington
    Gina Barreca, academic, humorist, and author, will be the guest speaker at a humor-filled luncheon fundraiser for The Women & Girls Fund of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation. Following lunch and Gina’s humorous and insightful remarks, Gina will be available to answer questions and sign copies of her books.

    Thriving Communities Conversations >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

    OCTOBER 24: 4:00 pm: Connecticut Audubon Society, Pomfret Center
    NOVEMBER 2: 4:00 pm: Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic
    The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut is hosting Thriving Communities Conversations, a series of public conversations to engage diverse members of the community in safe, civil discourse that encourages contrasting points of view, requires respectful listening and results in new understanding. These forums seek to specifically bring the voices and perspectives of young people and other under-represented groups into the conversation. Each forum is followed by a brief reception for more informal discussion and networking. The Environment is the topic for October and Women's Rights is the topic for November.

    • The Community Foundation is offering mini-grants of $500 to nonprofits and affiliated student groups who want to continue the conversation, in the hope that the knowledge gained and the bonds formed will energize us all and lead to great things for eastern Connecticut and beyond.

    Being Mortal - Film Screening and Discussion >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

    OCTOBER 26: 2:00 - 4:30 pm: Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut, Southbury
    The Jewish Federation of Western CT in collaboration with Connecticut Community Foundation, Borrow My Glasses and AARP CT are hosting a free screening and discussion of the PBS Frontline documentary Being Mortal. Based on the best-selling book by Dr. Atul Gawande, this film explores the hopes of patients & families facing terminal illness and their relationships with the doctors, nurses & family members who care for them. The film screening will be followed by a facilitated discussion. Light refreshments provided. The event is free, but registration is required: 203-267-3177 x340 or rsvp@jfed.net.

            

      The power of good people

    CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoPrudential Financial has moved its office of Corporate Social Responsibility to the C-Suite, reporting directly to Vice Chairman Mark Grier. The move affirms Prudential’s shared value approach to integrating CSR with business strategy under the leadership of Lata Reddy, who leads CSR and has been named chair of The Prudential Foundation. Reddy, the architect of Prudential’s shared value approach, also serves as president of the Foundation. In these roles, she oversees the company's efforts to harness capital markets to drive social and financial mobility and sustainable growth. “Prudential was founded to serve working families. From our beginning, we have always believed that our higher purpose is to pursue inclusive growth that benefits shareholders, customers and society,” said John Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential. Read more >>

    CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoDr. Maysa Akbar of New Haven, Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale Child Study Center and CEO of the Integrated Wellness Group, has been appointed to The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's Board of Directors. Dr. Akbar began her term June 1, replacing former member Emily Byrne, who has accepted a fellowship in Germany with the Robert Bosch Foundation. She will carry-out the remainder of Ms. Byrne’s term which ends in 2019. Dr. Akbar is the second person to join the board this year, following Dr. Joseph Gordon of Woodbridge, CT who began his seven-year term in January, replacing Charles ‘Chip’ Long. Dr. Akbar is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Yale Child Study Center and the only Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychologist who lives and works in Connecticut. She is also the founder of Integrated Wellness Group, a multidisciplinary psychotherapy practice in New Haven. Dr. Gordon is the former deputy dean of Yale College and dean of Undergraduate education at Yale University, two positions he held since the late 1990s. Dr. Gordon retired from Yale University in February 2016 after serving for more than 40 years. Read more >>

    CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoThe Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Board has elected three to serve a three-year terms: Liz Lazarus of Greenwich, Preston Tisdale of Trumbull and Johnna Torsone of Stamford. Liz Lazarus has been an active member of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Fund for Women & Girls since 2012.  She initially began her involvement as a member of the Program Committee and then joined the Steering Committee. Liz also serves on the NY Regional Board for UNICEF USA Fund. Preston Tisdale is an attorney at the law firm, Koskoff, Koskoff & Beider in Bridgeport, CT. Prior to joining KKB, he spent twenty-eight years practicing criminal defense law, directing the Fairfield Judicial District Public Defender’s Office and serving as the first director of special public defenders for the State of Connecticut. Johnna Torsone is Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Pitney Bowes. As a member of Pitney Bowes’ senior management leadership team and staff liaison for several committees of the Board of Directors, Johnna provides important strategic and operational guidance in the human resources area. Read more >>

    CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoUnited Way of Coastal Fairfield County has announced four new Board members and an emeritus member who has chosen another term beginning the 2017-18 fiscal year. New members include: President & CEO of the Council of Churches of  Greater Bridgeport, Reverend Cass Shaw; Superintendent of Bridgeport Public Schools, Dr. Aresta L. Johnson; Head of Marketing & Business Development at Carey Manufacturing, Paul S. Lavoie; and Bridgeport Community Activist,  Rosa J. Correa. Re-joining the Board for another term is Vice President of Corporate Responsibility for Bigelow, Robert Hendrick. "As we continue working to bring together stakeholders across the cradle to career continuum, it is exciting to broaden our Board’s reach including leaders in the business, education and local government community." Read more >>

    CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoKatherine Kinane, PhD, of New Hartford and Kathleen Weinstein of Torrington have been named to the executive committee of the Women & Girls Fund of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation. Katherine Kinane served as director of student development and assistant professor of sociology at Northwestern Connecticut Community College in Winsted from 1987 to 2009. She is currently chair of the board of directors of the Bakerville Library and the Elder Services Advisory Board for New Opportunities and serves on the Advisory Board for the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging and the Conservation Commission for the Town of New Hartford. ​Kathleen Weinstein is director of development at Prime Time House in Torrington, where she is responsible for fundraising activities, public relations and marketing. Previously, she served as admissions and public relations director and development director at the Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School and division director for Columbia County for the American Heart Association. Read more >>              

      Jobs in Philanthropy
    • Communications Officer - Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
    • Executive Director - Connecticut Humanities
    • Campaign Associate - United Way of Greater New Haven

    FIND JOBS IN PHILANTHROPY >>          

      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 to raise the profile of philanthropy throughout Connecticut. News about Connecticut funders may be submitted to CCP for consideration. 2017 Publication Dates: September 21; October 19; November 30. Submission Deadlines: Close of business one week before the publication date.