CT Philanthropy Digest - November 2017

Monday, November 13, 2017

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FEATURED PHILANTHROPY NEWS >>

A Story of Irrefutable Intersectionality: The U.S. Mainland, La Isla del Encanto and Connecticut >>

Foundations Join Forces to Advance Obesity Prevention >>

Neighborhood Builder Recipient to Provide Green Job Opportunities >>

Public Policy Update - State Budget and Federal Tax Reform >>

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 

A Story of Irrefutable Intersectionality: The U.S. Mainland, La Isla del Encanto and ConnecticutCCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

Perrin Family Foundation gives a call to attend to the people of Puerto Rico in their distress, on both the island and the mainland:

"In spite of fleeting media attention, we must not forget about the people of Puerto Rico during this time of crisis. With more than 300,000 Puerto Rican residents, Connecticut has the sixth largest Puerto Rican population of any state in the U.S. According to CT Mirror, Hartford is the U.S. city with the fifth largest Puerto Rican population in the United States – about 42,000 – and Bridgeport is seventh with 32,000. Puerto Ricans are our neighbors, colleagues, elders and youth. They are our community. They are Americans currently experiencing a humanitarian crisis. One month since Hurricane Maria, and 1 million Americans on the island are without water and 3 million without power. The aid is not coming fast enough or strong enough."

"Under such dire and forced circumstances, many Puerto Ricans are leaving the island to seek refuge. The population on the U.S. mainland is growing fast, and the devastation on the island is speeding up the relocation process exponentially. How is Connecticut prepared to support the potential population increase and needs? How are we prepared to support and advocate on behalf of the imminent population influx and provide necessary resources? How are we creatively thinking of strategies to support Puerto Ricans, now composing 8.4% of the total state population and rising?"  Read more >>

Other Connecticut responses:

  • In early November, the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy and the United Way of Central & Northeastern CT teamed up for, Connecticut Responds: Families Arriving in the Aftermath of Hurricane Maria and Irma, a conversation about what funders are doing in greater Hartford, New Britain, Waterbury, Bridgeport and New Haven. Discussion centered around what plans are being made and what opportunities are there for aligning the work.

Foundations Join Forces to Advance Obesity PreventionCCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

Three Connecticut foundations have combined resources to award $194,884 in grants for obesity prevention projects in the state. The grants were funded with contributions from the Children's Fund of Connecticut (CFC), the Connecticut Health Foundation, and Newman's Own Foundation and will be administered by CFC's non-profit subsidiary, the Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI). The projects will inform and advance efforts to prevent obesity by improving early feeding practices for diverse socio-economic, racial, and ethnic groups across various early childhood settings. The projects include Yale University's Healthy Eating through Group Well Child Care, and two UCONN programs, Barriers to Participation in Child and Adult Care Food Program and Supporting Healthy Eating in Low-Income Toddlers.

"Childhood obesity is a wide-spread public health crisis disproportionately impacting racial and ethnic minorities and low-income children. Once obesity sets in it is very difficult to reverse; however, we are still searching for effective ways to prevent it," said Judith Meyers, president and CEO of Children's Fund of Connecticut. "These grants to improve infant and toddler feeding practices will help us learn more about what works, so we can get ahead of the curve." Learn more >>         

Neighborhood Builder Recipient to Provide Green Job Opportunities CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

KNOX is one of Bank of America's 2017 Neighborhood Builder recipients. Neighborhood Builders, a cornerstone program for Bank of America, provides non-profits with $200,000 in unrestricted funding, leadership development for the organization’s Executive Director and Emerging Leader, and access to a network of peer organizations across the US. The combination of funding and leadership development enables the organization to create greater impact, scale for strategic growth, and better prepare for the future by providing the tools and resources to develop stronger strategic plans and enhance funding opportunities. 

“KNOX has a strong history within Hartford and plays an instrumental role in addressing the community needs of the city; with programs focused on workforce development, wellness, and environmental sustainability, they are uniquely positioned to make a difference for Hartford residents,” said Kevin Cunningham, Connecticut president, Bank of America.

“KNOX is grateful to Bank of America for this grant, which will allow us to continue to provide training and job opportunities for Hartford residents who need them,” said KNOX Executive Director Ron Pitz. “Each of these jobs revitalizes our neighborhoods, whether through trees, gardens, or landscaping.” Learn more >>     

Read CCP's latest Policy Update that provides updates and analysis on the 2-year state budget bill and the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act introduced in the House last Thursday.

Read CCP's Policy Update >>    

  Philanthropy News Links

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

Aetna and Aetna Foundation

American Savings Foundation

The Paul J. Aicher Foundation (Everyday Democracy)

Aurora Women and Girls Foundation

Avangrid

Bank of America

Citizens Bank

The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

Connecticut Health Foundation

Fairfield County's Community Foundation

Farmington Bank

Foundation for Community Health

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation

JPMorgan Chase

Liberty Bank Foundation

Main Street Community Foundation

The Melville Charitable Trust

Newman's Own Foundation

People's United Community Foundation

Prudential

Travelers and The Travelers Foundation

United Technologies Corporation

United Way of Central & Northeastern Connecticut

United Way of Greater New Haven

United Way of Western Connecticut

Valley Community Foundation

Webster Bank

Non-Member News Links

Connecticut Arts Council Foundation

CT Realtors Foundation

The Dalio Foundation

The Hartford

Hearst Foundation

Impact Fairfield County

Mary Kay Foundation

KeyBank

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Middlesex United Way

Ocean State Job Lot Foundation

The Vernon Foundation

  Grants and RFPs

Member Grants and RFPsCCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and Perrin Family Foundation

Connecticut Health and Education Facility Authority (CHEFA)

People's United Community Foundation

The Guilford Foundation

Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford

NewAlliance Foundation

Travelers Foundation

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Branford Community Foundation

American Savings Foundation

Connecticut Community Foundation

Non-Member Grants and RFPs

Impact Fairfield County

Connecticut Humanities

Connecticut Office of the Arts

Brackets for Good

  Events and Other Opportunities

Give A Meal >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

NOVEMBER 14, 15 and 18: Fairfield and New Haven counties, and Hartford
Bank of America is partnering with Feeding America and its network of 200 member food banks on the Give A Meal program.  Locally Bank of America employees, customers, and clients are collecting food to help out those in need this Thanksgiving season. Contribute your non-perishable food items (dry stuffing mix, bottled/canned gravy, canned fruits and vegetables, dried beans, rice, instant potatoes) to a Bank of America financial center in New Haven county or Fairfield county by Wednesday, November 15. Or bring your items, including frozen turkeys, directly to one of three food collections: Tuesday, November 14: 6:00 - 9:00 am at the Bank of America City Place lobby, 185 Asylum Street, Hartford; Saturday, November 18: 9:00 - 11:00 am at the Shop Rite on 1975 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield; or Saturday, November 18: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Shop Rite on 745 Foxon Avenue, East Haven.

Essential Business Skills Series: Building Basic Finance Skills >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

NOVEMBER 17: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, Norwalk
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Nonprofit Training Series workshop will take the mystery out of financial terms, nonprofit budgets and financial statements.The interactive session go through the nonprofit budget process, including how to build a basic budget and comprehend key financial terms that all nonprofit staff should understand. Also provided will be an overview of financial statements and how to use key financial ratios to assess an organization’s financial health.

Liberty Bank/Rotary Club 2017 Thanksgiving Drive >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

NOVEMBER 18: Last day for donations central, eastern, and shoreline Connecticut
Liberty Bank and 39 local Rotary Clubs plus the East Haddam Community Lions Club are teaming up to make sure that everyone in central, eastern, and shoreline Connecticut can enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving meal. From now until November 18, Liberty’s 55 branch offices will accept donations to local Rotary Clubs for the purpose of providing Thanksgiving food. Every dollar donated at a Liberty office will be matched with 25 cents from the Liberty Bank Foundation. On November 20, the Rotary Clubs will withdraw the funds and either purchase and deliver food for local needy families, or donate the funds to a local human services agency that provides Thanksgiving food.

Convening: Preserving Our Values and Commitments >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

NOVEMBER 29: 5:00 - 7:30 PM: New Haven Lawn Club, New Haven
In this convening, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven looks at the challenges of 2017 and how the community is responding. In 2017, Connecticut’s budget paralysis, dramatic Federal policy changes and a hate-filled national dialogue have posed fundamental challenges to the values and priorities that have long sustained our community.  How are our people and institutions responding? 

CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoA Closer Look Webinar >>

NOVEMBER 30: 11:00 AM: Webinar
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation will host a webinar on November 30 at 11 a.m. to explore the most pressing issues in its four-county region. Following on the recent report “A Closer Look,” the webinar will feature BTCF president Peter Taylor in conversation with Mt. Auburn Associates President Beth Siegel, who guided the research. They will expand on the report’s contents and share insights on the research process and results. A question-and-answer session will follow. To register for the webinar and read the report, go to www.berkshiretaconic.org/ACloserLook.

Lights, Camera, Save! Teen Video Contest >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

DECEMBER 1: Entry Deadline
Savings Institute Bank & Trust is accepting submissions for its Lights, Camera, Save! video contest. The contest, organized by the American Bankers Association Foundation, is a national competition that encourages teens to use video to communicate the value of saving money and inspire their peers to become lifelong savers. To participate, students (ages 13-18) must create a video, 90-seconds or less, on saving and using money wisely and submit a link to the video along with a completed entry form to the bank by Dec. 1. Savings Institute Bank & Trust will host the first round of judging, where three winners from each state represented [CT & RI] will be selected. Third place will receive $50, second place will receive $100, and the first-place winner will win $200 and go on to compete on the national level for a prize up to $5,000, plus a scholarship for a teacher at their school to attend the annual Jump$tart National Educator Conference. Learn more >>

Leadership Development Roundtable (LDR) >>

DECEMBER 1: 5:00 PM: Application deadline
Leadership Development Roundtable (LDR) is a comprehensive program designed to accelerate the development of emerging leaders working to effect social change in Connecticut. LDR is entering its tenth year, having supported 200 rising leaders to grow their leadership skills and networks. The application deadline is December 1, 2017 for the LDR-Fairfield and LDR-Hartford cohorts, slated to begin in January 2018. LDR is supported by Charter Oak Challenge Foundation, Fairfield County's Community Foundation, Fairfield University, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Lone Pine Foundation, Newman's Own Foundation, Tauck Family Foundation, Graustein Memorial Fund, and The ZOOM Foundation.

Fairfield County's Giving Day Support Plan >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

DECEMBER 1 - February 22: Nonprofit Training Series, Bootcamp, and Power Lunch Webinars
MARCH 1, 2018: Fairfield County's Giving Day
Powered by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, this dynamic 24-hour fundraising event unites their community around local causes. Working to raise as much money as possible in a single day, the Community Foundation brings together individuals, families, nonprofits, and companies – like lead sponsor Bank of America. Giving Day 2017 made a huge impact by raising nearly $1.5 million, donated by 13,000+ individuals, in support of 414 local nonprofits. Join them in March for an amazing event that shines a spotlight on the people and organizations that make their community a vibrant and inclusive place to work and live.

Connecticut Civic Ambassadors Summit >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

DECEMBER 2: 12:00 - 4:30 pm: Hartford Public Library, Hartford
Everyday Democracy, in partnership with Secretary of the State The Honorable Denise Merrill, launched the Connecticut Civic Ambassadors Initiative in September. The initiative invites young people, adults, and seniors who are actively engaged in their local communities to participate in the Summit. Guest speakers will talk about the importance of strong civic health and benefits of civic participation for building stronger communities, and Civic Ambassadors will share their experiences to learn from each other. Participants will receive an orientation and a toolkit with tools and resources they can use in their civic engagement efforts. The event is free, but registration is required.

Community Convening and Conversation - Resilience: The Biology of Stress & The Science of Hope >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

DECEMBER 6: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM: University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport
Join Bridgeport Prospers, United Way of Coastal Fairfield County, and citywide healthcare partners for a presentation screening of the award-winning documentary, Resilience, followed by a facilitated conversation to understand this public health issue.

Best Practices in Financial Planning for NPOs >>CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo

DECEMBER 12: 8:30 am - 3:00 pm: The Holiday Inn, Norwich
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut will host a workshop with Fiscal Management Associates of New York. With the ongoing challenges associated with government budgets and public spending policies, many nonprofits organizations are seeing reductions in revenue and delays in payment associated with government funding. In this environment, an organization’s ability to create robust, flexible financial plans is critical. This workshop will focus on best practices in financial planning for nonprofits, incorporating practical tips and tools.       

  The power of good people

CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo The Rockfall Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes and supports environmental education and conservation in the Lower Connecticut River Valley, has announced the appointment of Tony Marino as executive director. "We are most fortunate that we did not have to look far for such a qualified person to continue Rockfall's many worthwhile initiatives," said Marilyn Ozols, President. "Tony's experience in all aspects of the work that Rockfall does and his dedication to its mission are unparalleled. The Board is excited to promote him to this position and looks forward to working with him." Mr. Marino has been a part of the Rockfall Foundation for more than twenty years, serving as a director and president of the Board prior to joining the staff in 2011. Read more >>

CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoPaul H. Mounds Jr. will join the Connecticut Health Foundation as vice president of policy and communications. In this role, he will be responsible for the foundation’s work to inform and educate policymakers on issues related to health equity. “We are thrilled that Paul will be joining the foundation. He is an expert in policymaking in Connecticut and at the federal level, and brings a track record of strong working relationships across the political spectrum,” said Patricia Baker, president and CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation, the state’s largest independent health philanthropy.  Paul has extensive experience in policymaking and communications at the state and federal levels. He served as senior director of public policy and government relations for Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, working with the state’s health and human services agencies and developing relationships with leaders from both parties. Paul previously worked for U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, serving as deputy state director for outreach. He began his career in public service as the federal grants coordinator and press assistant for U.S. Rep. John B. Larson, and eventually served as the congressman’s communications director.  Read more >>

CCP-The-power-of-membership-logoTwo Valley Community Foundation board members were among those recognized at the 46th Annual Valley Chamber of Commerce Gold Seal Award Banquet on October 26 in Seymour. “Ray Oppel and Diane Stroman have a longstanding history of involvement in the Valley,” said Sharon Closius, VCF President and CEO. “Congratulations to all the award recipients. We are especially proud to have such engaged and passionate community members like Ray and Diane as part of our organization.” Read more >>

CCP-The-power-of-membership-logo The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's Progreso Latino Fund has featured Sara Lulo in its Celebrating Latino Leaders series. Lulo is Assistant Dean, Yale Law School, Yale University. Although her family was the only Dominican family in her neighborhood or school, that did not stop her from getting a unique Latin experience within the city in which she was raised. Read more >>

 

  Jobs in Philanthropy

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  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 $858 million from assets of more than $7.6 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. 2018 Publication Dates: November 13; December 7. Submission Deadlines: Close of business one week before the publication date.