CT Philanthropy Digest - December 2020

Monday, December 21, 2020

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FEATURED NEWS >>

PHILANTHROPY NEWS LINKS >>

POLICY UPDATE >>

EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND RESOURCES >>

GRANTS and RFPs >>

THE POWER OF GOOD PEOPLE >>

JOB LISTINGS >>

ABOUT CCP and the CONNECTICUT PHILANTHROPY DIGEST >>  

    FEATURED NEWS     

CCP's First Virtual Conference Provides Learning and Tools to Advance Equity

CCP’s 2020 Annual Conference “Meeting the Moment: Community, Equity and Philanthropy” may have looked different this year, but the learning, inspiration, and relationship-building were the same as ever. "It was a game changer for me," one participant shared. Through a series of “excellent”, “timely”, “inspiring”, and “thought-provoking” programs, coupled with opportunities to connect and reflect with colleagues, CCP conference participants gained new insights and tools for centering and advancing racial equity in the work of philanthropy.

In the opening session, keynote speaker Trabian Shorters presented an insightful program on Asset-Framing, a groundbreaking approach to communications and engagement with communities that centers aspirations and contributions, increasing equity and improving outcomes.

The second session featured an engaging dialogue between two experienced philanthropic leaders, Michelle DePass, President and Chief Executive Officer, Meyer Memorial Trust, and Laura McCargar, President, Perrin Family Foundation who shared candid insights and real-world lessons about partnership, power, and accountability in philanthropy. They outlined how funders can create meaningful connections and build trust with community partners, create crucial feedback loops, take more risks, and ultimately improve impact.

The final session focused on equity and foundation boards. Anne Wallestad, Executive Director, BoardSource shared insights and data from the national perspective. David Addams, Executive Director and Lisa Graustein, Board Chair of the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund provided an anchor and examples from their foundation’s story. Through a lively exchange, the three speakers outlined how proactive, intentional work at the board level is essential to centering equity, and steps that can be taken to invest in moving boards towards more equitable practices and greater diversity.   

Hartford Foundation Announces $2.5 Million Investment to Empower Black and Latinx Communities

In 2021, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving will award $1 million grants to The Prosperity Foundation and the Hispanic Federation – Connecticut, along with $250,000 to the Hartford Foundation's Black Giving Circle Fund and $250,000 to the Latino Endowment Fund.

These grants are intended to galvanize local Black and Latinx communities and give them the agency and power to decide where resources should be spent. This commitment represents a significant investment toward addressing structural racism and establishing greater equity, economic opportunity, and social capital for the Black and Latinx communities in the Greater Hartford area. Read More >>   

The Edward C. & Ann T. Roberts Foundation Announces $500,000 Initiative to Fund Black Artists

The Joyce C. Willis Fund for Excellence and Equity in the Arts will support three organizations—The Amistad Center for Art & Culture, Hartford Stage, and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra—with gifts totaling $500,000 for projects featuring Black artists and musicians. The initiative is named in honor of Joyce C. Willis, a former Roberts Foundation board member who was a dedicated supporter of each of the recipient organizations before her death in June from COVID-19. The initiative is part of the foundation's efforts to advance racial equity in arts.

 “The Joyce C. Willis Fund will not only serve as a catalyst to help Black artists excel in their careers, but also will encourage other organizations to examine their efforts to promote racial equity in the arts,” shared Lisa M. Curran, executive director of The Roberts Foundation. “We hope this initiative is the first step in encouraging local nonprofits to embrace cultural change and increase their investment in artists of color.” Read more >> 

Fairfield County's Community Foundation and Local Businesses Launch Collaborative to Address Education Equity

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation has launched a partnership with six local businesses to establish the Fairfield County Corporate Collaborative for Education Equity, a multi-year local impact and funding collective seeking to foster educational equity in Fairfield County. Participating companies will work with FCCF to support local nonprofit organizations and initiatives in the Greater Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk, and Stamford regions with financial contributions, employee volunteerism and expertise, mentorship and internship opportunities, and other resources. The group’s first funding initiative is a $50,000 challenge grant with DonorsChoose to support Bridgeport Public Schools teachers and their students.

“We are grateful for the leadership of Bank of America, First County Bank, Lapine Associates, Pitney Bowes, Synchrony, and Xerox in forging this new education-focused collaborative,” said Juanita James, President and CEO, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. “By pooling their philanthropic resources, leveraging the influence of their respective corporate brands, empowering their employees, and aligning around specific projects we believe we can make a meaningful and measurable difference in helping to close some of the opportunity gaps that exist in our region.” Read more >>   

Nellie Mae Education Foundation Commits an Additional $20 Million to Address Racism and Pandemic Relief

Nellie Mae Education Foundation has committed to allocating an additional $20M in 2020 to support work addressing anti-Black racism and COVID relief, especially as both relate to the public education system. These additional investments will support the work of youth and parent organizing groups, community organizations led by people of color, and schools working to fight for a more just and equitable future. Nellie Mae has already committed a significant portion of the $20M to organizations for COVID relief and work addressing anti-Black racism. These funds are in addition to the more than $10M the Foundation is distributing in 2020 as part of its planned grantmaking and pandemic response. Ten Connecticut organizations are among the grant recipients. Read more >>

Main Street Community Foundation Awards $42,000 in Operating Grants to Nonprofits Serving Woman and Girls

Main Street Community Foundation Awards $42,000 in Operating Grants to Nonprofits Serving Women and Girls

In response to the ongoing pandemic and the changing needs of organizations serving women and girls, Main Street Community Foundation has awarded $42,000 in unrestricted operating support grants from the Women & Girls’ Fund to 12 local organizations. “These grants will help sustain nonprofits providing vital services to women and girls in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott,” stated Catherine Cassin, Chair of the Women & Girls’ Fund Advisory Board. “We want to ensure that these essential organizations can meet the increased demand for services caused by the effects of the pandemic.”

Described by foundation president & CEO Susan Sadecki as “some of the most important and impactful grants the Foundation has ever awarded from the Women & Girls’ Fund,” these grants were made possible through funds from the Women & Girls’ Fund endowment, the Barbara Hackman Franklin Fund for Women and the John & Gloria DiFrancesco Fund for Women & Girls — and the generosity of local businesses, organizations, and individuals who directed event sponsorships to grantmaking after the annual Women of Wonder event had to be canceled due to the pandemic. Read more >>  

  PHILANTHROPY NEWS LINKS

Featuring news and updates shared by CCP Members. Have an update? Share it with us! news@CTphilanthropy.org

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Connecticut Community Foundation

Fund for Greater Hartford

Fairfield County's Community Foundation

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford

Main Street Community Foundation

Nellie Mae Education Foundation

Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation

Tufts Health Plan Foundation

  POLICY UPDATE  

FEDERAL

COVID-19 Relief Legislation

A bipartisan group in Congress recently released a $908 Billion emergency COVID-19 relief package. Members are expected to vote to approve the relief package on Monday December 21.The package includes support for state, local, and tribal governments, unemployment assistance, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan assistance, and community development financial institutions (CDFI) relief, among other items.

Advocates say the package doesn’t provide significant enough relief for nonprofits. They point to criteria that will make it difficult for many nonprofits to receive a second PPP loan, and a tax provision that allows businesses to deduct PPP loans that will not benefit nonprofits. A coalition of nonprofit organizations continues to advocate for better nonprofit provisions in the next package. A summary of some the current package’s provisions can be found here.

Census Bureau Releases 2020 Demographic Analysis

On December 15th, the US Census Bureau released the 2020 Demographic Analysis. The 2020 Demographic Analysis estimates include national-level estimates of the population by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin as of April 1, 2020. These estimates are developed from current and historical vital statistics—birth and death records, estimates of international migration, and Medicare records.

The Demographic Analysis estimates are independent from the 2020 Census and will be used to calculate net coverage error, one of the two main ways the US Census Bureau uses population estimates to measure coverage of the census.

Philanthropic Regulation Opinion Survey for Foundation CEOs and Leaders--Deadline JANUARY 18, 2021

In the coming months, substantial legislative proposals will be made at the federal level that have the potential to shape the philanthropic sector for years to come. The United Philanthropy Forum has created a survey to garner key data and important insight from foundation leaders in order to help guide public policy efforts. CEOs and foundation leaders from all types of philanthropic entities—including family, independent, community, and corporate foundations, as well as donor-advised funds and supporting organizations— are encouraged to complete the survey by January 18, 2021.

LEGISLATIVE CALENDARS

Connecticut

The Connecticut State Legislature is scheduled to convene on January 6, 2021 and adjourn on June 9, 2021.

The Capitol Complex remains closed and meetings are taking place virtually. A detailed schedule of General Assembly meetings and hearings can be found here.

Federal

The House of Representatives is in session.
The House of Representatives calendar is available here.

The United States Senate is in session.
The Senate calendar available here.

  EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND RESOURCES

EVENTS

WEBINAR: Foundations Respond to Crisis

JANUARY 12: 2:00 – 3:15 PM

The Center for Effective Philanthropy will lead an interactive discussion delving into recent research addressing how foundations are responding to the compounded crises of the impacts of the pandemic and racial injustice. The webinar will feature CEP staff sharing findings from their new reports and conversation with Chris Cardona, Ford Foundation, Nora Moreno Cargie, Tufts Health Plan Foundation, and Marcella Tillett, Brooklyn Community Foundation.

 

VIRTUAL CONVENING: FOUNDATIONS ON THE HILL 2021

MARCH 16-18 and 23-25

JANUARY 21: 1:00 – 2:00 PM Welcome and Opening Orientation webinar for FOTH registered attendees.

This annual event is presented by a partnership including the Council on Foundations, Independent Sector, and the United Philanthropy Forum. Participants will attend virtual Hill meetings, and have the opportunity to attend virtual discussions with guest speakers and advocate on behalf of philanthropy using the Phone 2 Action platform. The FOTH2021 webpage includes the preliminary agenda, registration, information and FAQs. If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact Annie Adams at CCP.

 

VIRTUAL TRAININGS: UConn's Public Service Executive Leadership Collaborative Fall and Spring Workshops >>
JANUARY 22: Vanquishing the Data Fear Monster: Transforming Data Anxiety into Data Enthusiasm

FEBRUARY 26: Practical Performance Evaluation for Practitioners and Funders

MARCH 12: Managing Unconscious Bias

MARCH 26: Essential Skills for Grant-Writing Success: Research, Writing and Assessment Tools to Get Your Grant Applications to Stand Out

APRIL 9: Responding to Microaggressions: Strategies for Navigating Instances of Exclusion

APRIL 16: Developing and Supporting a Resilient Team

MAY 14: Building Effective Management and Leadership Skills: What is Required for the Next Generation of Public and Nonprofit Executives

CCP Members receive the discounted workshop price. Learn more >>

 

WEBINAR: Taking Stock: Philanthropy’s Role in Supporting Racial Equity
JANUARY 27: 2:00 –3:30 PM
The Center for Effective Philanthropy will host this discussion focused on philanthropy’s role in supporting the movement for racial justice. Moderated by CEP’s Grace Chiang Nicolette, this conversation will take stock of where philanthropy is and where it needs to be to ensure that all communities of color can reach their full potential.

 

RESOURCES

ESSAY: “Building Civic Bridges through a Lens of Racial Justice” Martha McCoy, CCP member and Executive Director of Everyday Democracy was asked to contribute this essay as part of Democracy and Civic Life: What is the Long Game for Philanthropy, a series commissioned by the Kettering Foundation and the Knight Foundation inviting leading thinkers on the future of our democracy to write about the challenges and opportunities for American democracy and what role philanthropy can play in addressing those challenges.

REPORT AND TOOLKIT: The Communications Network launched the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Project with ComNetworkDEI.org, an online resource providing carefully curated practical tools, case studies, and a just-released report on the state of DEI understanding and efforts in foundation and nonprofit communications. The project was launched December 17 with an op-ed in the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

REPORTS: The Center for Effective Philanthropy has released a series of three reports examining how foundations have made changes to meet the unprecedented challenges of 2020. The reports are based on findings from surveys of over 236 foundations and in-depth interviews with 41 foundation leaders.

Foundations Respond to Crisis: A Moment of Transformation? examines how foundation leaders reevaluated and made significant changes to practices in 2020—including loosening or eliminating grant restrictions, increasing spending, and placing emphasis on listening to grantees and communities.

Foundations Respond to Crisis: Toward Equity? explores to what extent staffed foundations have changed practices in response to calls for increased focus on equity and addressing racism. Almost all the participating foundations reported planning new, or more, focus on supporting Black, Latino, and lower-income communications and paying greater attention to racial equity in their work—but acknowledge significant room for progress remains.

Foundations Respond to Crisis: Toward Greater Flexibility and Responsiveness? outlines to what extent foundation leaders are heeding calls to change practices in response to the crises of 2020, including to be more flexible and responsive; provide more unrestricted funding; and build stronger more trusting relationships with and reduce what they ask of grantees. More than half of leaders surveyed said they will continue practices begun in response to the pandemic — yet most say they will do so to a lesser degree, and about 30 percent say they are unsure whether they will continue these practices at all.

REPORT: Earlier this month, Grantmakers for Education released “The Big Vision for the Next Stage of Education Philanthropy.” Based on a survey of 101 individuals involved in education philanthropy, this report outlines where funders can make a difference in this time of unprecedented challenges and rapid change. Weighing criteria like opportunity, urgency, and potential role for philanthropy, the report helps to identify the top priority areas for education funders to consider addressing over the next one to three years.

RECORDINGS: The Communications Network has made available recordings from ComNetworkV and V+, their annual programs that happened virtually this year. Sessions include:

REPORT: Building Movement Project has released “On the Frontlines: Nonprofits Led by People of Color Confront COVID-19 and Structural Racism” a national report featuring reflections from people of color who lead nonprofits engaged in the COVID-19 response. Based on input from over 400 nonprofit leaders of color, the report outlines 5 key findings, including: the crisis will get worse; ending anti-Black racism must be a priority; nonprofits are filling government gaps; women of color leaders responding to the crisis are experiencing an immense toll; and it’s time to focus on systemic change. Recommendations for philanthropy include committing to supporting POC organizations and leaders, with an emphasis on sustainability; and balancing rapid response funding with long-view strategy.

PODCAST: Empowering Immigrants and Their Families >>
In this episode of Fairfield County Thrives, Fairfield County's Community Foundation President and CEO Juanita James talks with Pulitzer Prize Winner John Moore, Senior Staff Photographer and Special Correspondent at Getty Images focused on immigration and border issues, about critical issues impacting migrants and their families in Fairfield County.

PODCAST: No Easy Answers: The Hard Work of Giving Done Right >>

In the Season 1 Finale of the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s Giving Done Right podcast series, Melinda Tuan of the Fund for Shared Insight joins hosts Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette to discuss the complexities of being an effective philanthropist, including how donors can navigate challenges like measuring impact and making difficult decisions about where to give.

OP-ED: “Nonprofits Must Adapt to Changing Times”, Jeff Kimball, CEO United Way of Coastal Fairfield County, Connecticut Post, December 2, 2020

  GRANTS and RFPs

Find grants, requests for proposals (RFPs) and other opportunities from CCP members and other funders. Links are provided to funder sites to find updated information, current deadlines and how to apply.

Connecticut Community Foundation

FEBRUARY 15, 2021 DEADLINE: Building Equitable Opportunity, Health and Environmental Justice, Older Adults, Strengthening Nonprofits Grants, Grassroots Leadership, Arts and Culture, Special Grant Opportunities

MAY 2021 DEADLINE: Women’s Giving Circle

Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

JANUARY 13, 2021 DEADLINE: Norwich Youth, Southeast General, Environment, Animal Welfare                                                   

ROLLING: Ossen Fund for the Arts

Community Foundation of Greater New Britain

JANUARY 1, 2021 LOI DEADLINE: Community Foundation Grants

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven

JANUARY 22, 2021 DEADLINE: Quinnipiac River Fund

William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund

AWARDED ONGOING: COVID-19 Response Grant

AWARDED ONGOING: Responsive Grants for CT Communities Responding to Current and Emerging Threats, Trauma and/or Harassment Related to Manifestations of Hate, Bias, and Oppression

AWARDED ONGOING: Racial Equity Training and Support Grants

AWARDED ONGOING: Director’s Discretionary Fund

AWARDED ONGOING: Technical Assistance Support for Program Focus Area Grantees

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation

JANUARY 15, 2021 – FEBRUARY 15, 2021 LOI DEADLINE: Spring Grant Cycle

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

FEBRUARY 3, 2021 DEADLINE: Summer 2021 Competitive Grant Opportunity

ONGOING: COVID-19 Response Grants

Liberty Bank Foundation

ONGOING: Community Organizing Mini-Grant - Housing Affordability

Main Street Community Foundation

FEBRUARY 1, 2021 CYCLE OPENING: COVID-19 Response Fund

FEBRUARY 22, 2021 CYCLE OPENING: Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust

APRIL 1, 2021 CYCLE OPENING: Plainville Community Fund

APRIL 15, 2021 CYCLE OPENING: General Grant

Perrin Family Foundation

ONGOING: Capacity Building Mini Grants for Grantee Partners

Social Venture Partners Connecticut

JANUARY 15, 2021 DEADLINE: Racial Equity Fund

Tufts Health Plan Foundation

JANUARY 21, 2021 LOI DEADLINE: Healthy Living, Healthy Aging

Valley Community Foundation

AWARDED ONGOING: Valley Sponsorships

Webster Bank

AWARDED ON ROLLING BASIS: Grants Focusing on Financial Literacy, Food & Shelter, and Health & Human Services

  THE POWER OF GOOD PEOPLE

Read the latest news about CCP member colleagues.

The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut announced its slate of incoming officers and trustees at its virtual Annual Celebration held on December 3. The Foundation thanked outgoing Chair, Dr. David Schulz, and welcomed new Chair Dr. Lynn Malerba. Dr. Malerba is 18th Chief of the Mohegan Tribe, a lifetime appointment she has held since 2010, and is the first female Chief in the tribe’s modern history. Prior to her work for the Mohegan Tribe, Lynn had a lengthy career as a registered nurse, culminating as the Director of Cardiology and Pulmonary Services at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital. Other Officers of the Board are Edwin Higgins III, Principal, Bachand, Longo & Higgins as Vice Chair; Nicholas Fortson, President and CEO of CorePlus Credit Union as Treasurer; and Margaret O’Shea, educator and child advocate, as Secretary. The Foundation welcomed new trustees Lee-Ann Gomes, Director of Norwich Human Services; Patrick Green, President & CEO of L+M Hospital; and Dr. Carol Williams, Retired Associate Dean at Eastern CT State University. Read more >>

 

Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford announced a new Chair and welcomed two new members to its Board of Trustees. The Foundation welcomed new Chair Gayle Temkin, immediate past president and Chairwoman of the Board of the Mandell Greater Hartford Jewish Community Center, Vice President of Connecticut Voices of Hope and a board member of Jewish Family Services. The newly-elected Trustees are Ethan Goldman, Chief Financial Officer, FLEXcon Holdings Trust, and Rachel Rubin, Deputy Director of Athletics/Chief of Staff at the University of Connecticut and Executive Secretary to the University’s Board of Trustees.  Read more >>

 

The Tow Foundation recently welcomed two new staff members. Sean Cade joined in November as the Foundation’s Grants Manager and Salesforce Administrator. Previously, Sean was a Salesforce administrator for Hearst Magazine Media and Fortune Magazine. He is a graduate of Monroe College and an alumnus and volunteer Salesforce instructor with PepUp Tech, a nonprofit that inspires underrepresented people in the tech industry to learn about computer science, Salesforce and careers in tech. Read more >>

Ryan Yoch joined the Foundation in September as Communications Associate. Before joining the Foundation, Ryan was an assistant account executive at McCann New York. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the honor society of Jesuit universities recognizing alumni who excel in both scholarship and service. Read more >>

The Melville Charitable Trust welcomed three new staff members in the past year. Most recently, Alyia Gaskins joined the Trust as Senior Program Officer in November 2020. Alyia’s work primarily focuses on housing affordability and housing stability as key components of preventing and ending homelessness for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Earlier in the year, Sarah Armour-Jones joined the Trust as Director of Communications and Anna Viola-Goodman joined as Executive Assistant. Read more >>

Kathy Luria, senior vice president, Community Affairs, director of philanthropy at Webster Bank has been named to the American Bankers Association Board of Directors. “Kathy is one of banking's most dedicated and innovative philanthropic leaders,” said Corey Carlisle, ABA Foundation Executive Director. “We are grateful to have her advice and counsel as we provide our industry essential tools and resources to help consumers and communities navigate these unprecedented times.” Read more >>

 

  

Bilal Tajildeen, CCP’s manager of membership and culture, was featured in Connecticut Magazine’s recent look at charitable giving in the state, “Millennials Are Leading the Way in Charitable Giving and Volunteering.” He was also profiled in an article in the same issue featuring young community leaders sharing advice on how to get involved and give back. 

 

 

  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, business and corporate giving programs, bank trusts, donor-advised funds, and individual philanthropists. CCP members grant more than $1.2 billion from assets of more than $8.2 billion.

The Connecticut Philanthropy Digest (Digest) is brought to you by the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy. The Digest is a summary of recent activities by Connecticut foundations and grantmakers, and is compiled and distributed regularly to media outlets, local legislators, foundations and gran

 

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