Please note: CCP offices will close for the holidays on December 22, and will reopen on January 2, 2018.
FEATURED PHILANTHROPY NEWS >>
Call for Nominations! - Innovation in Philanthropy Award >>
Ongoing Aid for Puerto Rico -- In Connecticut and on the Island >>
Challenge Moves Forward for CT’s Working Cities >>
Multimedia Exhibit Focuses on West Hartford's Diversity >>
Film and Television Students to Use Grant to Inspire Inclusion >>
CCSU to Offer Innovative Course in Philanthropy >>
PHILANTHROPY NEWS LINKS >>
GRANTS and RFPS >>
SCHOLARSHIPS & STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES >>
THE POWER OF GOOD PEOPLE >>
JOBS IN PHILANTHROPY >>
ABOUT CCP and the CONNECTICUT PHILANTHROPY DIGEST >>
Featured Philanthropy News
Call for Nominations! - Innovation in Philanthropy Award
CCP is calling for nominations for the Nancy P. Roberts Award, which honors a foundation or grantmaking organization for innovation in philanthropy. Nominee innovation must be for philanthropic activity that has some demonstrable impact or effect in Connecticut—statewide, in a region or in a community. The Melville Charitable Trust received the first Roberts Award in 2014, and The Walker Group received the award the following year. The Roberts Award is given biennially. Types of innovation in philanthropy can include, but are not limited to:
- Forming a creative public/private partnership
- Encouraging a paradigm shift
- Developing an unusual collaboration
- Engaging in creative funding or investing
- Implementing a unique grantmaking strategy
- Leveraging resources by engaging in public policy activities
- Creating a culture of learning
Anyone may nominate current Connecticut Council for Philanthropy members; individuals are not eligible. Anyone may nominate a member funder. The award will be given in conjunction with CCP’s Philanthropy Conference in Spring 2018. Learn more and access the nomination materials >>
Ongoing Aid for Puerto Rico -- In Connecticut and on the Island
As reported last month by the Perrin Family Foundation, there is still an unprecedented need for aid in Puerto Rico. CCP members are continuing to help Puerto Rico, both on the Island, and as many leave to live with family members here in Connecticut:
- The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven: Progreso Latino Funds Raises Funds, Spirits after Natural Disasters >>
- Nellie Mae Education Foundation: Donors Contribute $6 Million through DonorsChoose.org to Support Classrooms Impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma >>
- United Way of Greater New Haven: A Need is Identified, and United Way Donors Answer >>
- Connecticut Community Foundation: Generous Local Donors Support Puerto Rico Relief >>
- United Way of Connecticut: United Way and 9 Town Transit Seeks Support for Displaced Hurricane Victims in Connecticut >>
- American Savings Foundation; Community Foundation of Greater New Britain: Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico Fund Continues to Grow; $31K-Plus and Counting >>
- Hartford Foundation for Public Giving: “Respond-Rebuild-Renew Fund” to Respond to Needs of Greater Hartford Region Related to Unforeseen Disasters >>
Learn more @ CCP's Relief for Disasters >>
Challenge Moves Forward for CT’s Working Cities
Today, we are celebrating the passion, collaborative spirit, and ingenuity of Connecticut residents to push forward proposals toward bettering their cities and our state economy.”
Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s words echoed throughout Real Art Ways in Hartford during an April celebration honoring ten Connecticut city teams pursuing collaborative and ambitious economic development strategies to improve the lives of their low-income residents through the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Working Cities Challenge—a grant competition designed to build cross-sector (public, private, and nonprofit) collaboration to solve issues impacting the lives of lower-income residents and communities of color.
The teams were awarded $15,000 grants to support a six-month “design phase,” and over the past six months, have been doing the difficult work of building their collaboratives, engaging their communities in a meaningful way, and refining their initiative proposals. Many Connecticut teams’ efforts are focused on workforce development and take into consideration racial equity challenges that have persisted in the state.
In early 2018, up to five winning teams will be selected for larger awards expected to be $450,000-$475,000 to implement their initiatives over a three-year period. Funding for the competition is provided by the State of Connecticut, national and local philanthropic, public, and private organizations; the Boston Fed provides leadership and strategic staff support.
For more information, visit bostonfed.org/workingcities or contact David Radcliffe, director of the Connecticut Working Cities Challenge.
Multimedia Exhibit Focuses On West Hartford's Diversity
With a $50,000 Inspiring Equity grant from the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, West Hartford Public Schools, in collaboration with The Bridge Family Center, created a 2-day interactive, multi-media exhibit, "We All Have a Story to Tell: Inspiring Equity Through Community Conversations," and published a companion book.
We All Have a Story to Tell showcases the stories of a cross-section of community members from West Hartford. Through narrative, the project vividly captures how these individuals work to correct social injustices and create positive social change. Portraits will be posted on the district's Equity and Diversity Council’s (EDC) webpage of whps.org. The companion book of still photographs will be placed in schools, libraries, and elsewhere in the community, and the exhibit is expected to have a permanent home. Read more @ Hartford Courant >>
Film and Television Students to Use Grant to Inspire Inclusion
Sacred Heart University’s Film and Television Master’s Program has received a $20,000 grant from Newman’s Own Foundation to develop a series of one-minute films promoting inclusion and diversity. For this project, students, alumni, and faculty will work together to create a narrative series with a unifying message. Students will learn by executing all stages of creative development, from concept to production to post-production. The process will serve as model for students in their professional and creative careers. “Everyone who contributes to these commercials will learn how to tell stories with inclusion and diversity of perspective,” said Damon Maulucci, visiting assistant professor. Maulucci said the short films will depict “slice-of-life” moments when people subvert our expectations. Spots will promote acts of kindness and will aim to invoke compassion and inspire people to help and serve others. “Our hope is that everyone can relate to these spots,” Maulucci said, adding that he’s excited to show off the students’ work. Read more >>
CCSU to Offer Innovative Course in Philanthropy
Central Connecticut State University is offering an innovative course in the practice of philanthropy. The ambitious 16-week course, Peace Studies 210: Introduction to Philanthropy, will begin in January and include 25 presenters from local nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. As part of the course, students will study local needs, create a case study, and write a proposal following the American Savings Foundation grant-making guidelines. At the end of the course, up to two of these projects may each be funded with a $5,000 grant from the American Savings Foundation. "There is so much to like about this course," notes Maria Falvo, president of the American Savings Foundation. "For one, many of these young people may go on to work at or volunteer with nonprofits. They may be fortunate enough to become donors themselves. This essential training lays the groundwork for a future in philanthropy." Read more >>
Federal Tax Reform
The Tax Bill was passed by the House on Tuesday and the Senate early Wednesday morning. The House will need to revote on three small components of the bill. President Trump is expected to sign the bill by Christmas.
New York Times (12/19/17) - Congress Approves Republican Tax Plan Setting Up Delivery to Trump’s Desk >>
New York Times (12/20/17) - Republican Tax Bill Passes Senate in 51-48 Vote >>
Harmful anti-Johnson Amendment provision not in final Tax Bill. Read more in Wall Street Journal (12/15/17) - Proposal to Let Churches and Other Nonprofits Get Political Blocked from Tax Bill >>
“It’s going to be real bad for Connecticut,” said Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, about the affects of the Tax Bill, as reported in CT Mirror. Himes said the tax bill would raise the cost of living in Connecticut and lower the values of homes in the state as popular deductions that made home ownership more attractive are curtailed. Read more in CT Mirror (12/20/17) - Senate, House Approve Tax Plan CT Lawmakers Call Disastrous for State >>
New York Times (12/15/17) - Charities’ Fear Under Tax Bill: Less Money to Help the Needy >>
In their 12/18/17 analysis, Chronicle of Philanthropy summarized the Tax Bill provisions that will affect charities and nonprofits:
- The estate tax is maintained, but the exemption is doubled to about $22 million.
- A new 1.4 percent excise tax on investment income will affect some private colleges and universities with very large endowments.
- An excise tax of 21 percent on compensation above $1 million for a nonprofit’s top five highest-paid employees.
- No changes to the excise tax on foundations’ investment income.
- No changes to policies regulating donor-advised funds.
- Donors will be able to receive a charitable tax deduction for cash gifts of up to 60 percent of their adjusted gross income, up from the current limit of 50 percent.
- No changes to tax-exempt private-activity bonds, which some nonprofits use to finance community-development projects.
State Fiscal Crisis Coverage
Recent stories related to Connecticut's fiscal health:
CT Mirror (12/19/17) - Session for Medicare Fix Delayed Until Early January >>
CT Mirror (12/18/17) - Federal Tax Changes Could Create Misleading Budget ‘Bubble’ in CT >>
Hartford Courant (12/14/17) - Census Underfunding Could Hurt Connecticut >>
Policy Related Events
Join CCP and the Connecticut delegation at these 2018 policy meetings in Washington, DC.
PolicyWorks Institute 2018: March 11-12, 2018
The PolicyWorks Institute is the one opportunity each year for regional and national philanthropy-serving organizations to take a “deep dive” together to strengthen their policy and advocacy work in philanthropy. This year's Institute will be held in conjunction with Foundations on the Hill (FOTH). Learn more >>
Foundations on the Hill 2018: March 12-14, 2018
Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) brings together foundation leaders from across the country for meetings with Congress about key issues of importance to foundations and philanthropy. FOTH is presented by United Philanthropy Forum, in partnership with the Alliance for Charitable Reform and Council on Foundations. CCP will be organizing a Connecticut delegation for this most critical year in Washington, DC. Learn more >>
Philanthropy News Links
CCP Member News Links
Aetna Foundation and Aetna
- Aetna and Aetna Foundation Offer Relief to Those Affected by Wildfires in Southern California >>
- FitKids Awards Grade Schoolers for Running Accomplishments >>
Aurora Women and Girls Foundation
Avangrid
Bank of America
Boehringer-Ingelheim Cares Foundation
- AmeriCares, BI Program Helping Patients with Exercise, Diet >>
- Holiday Program Brings Hope Home to Lung Cancer Patients >>
Branford Community Foundation
- Branford's Blackstone Receives $150K Anonymous Gift; Campaign Matching Grant >>
- Branford Community Report Provides a Snapshot on Demographic Trends and Community Well Being >>
Citizens Bank
Comcast Foundation
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
- Eastern Connecticut Land Trusts to Benefit from Conservation Grant >>
- Meeting Focuses on the Science of Helping Kids >>
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain
- Foundation December Grants Top a Quarter of a Million Dollars >>
- Foundation Event Brews Interest in Membership >>
Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority
Connecticut Health Foundation
Dominion Energy
Donaghue Foundation
Fairfield County's Community Foundation
Farmington Bank
The Grossman Family Foundation
The Hampshire Foundation
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
- Hartford Neighborhood Development Support Collaborative Receives $440K to Support Community Development Effort >>
- New Studies Explore How Students’ Learning Opportunities Are Increased Through Strategic Partnerships >>
- YMCA of Greater Hartford Receives Grant from Black Giving Circle to Support Youth Financial Literacy >>
- CT Fair Housing Center Receives $235K for New Reverse Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Project >>
- Foundation Awards $550K to Support Food Programs, Other Basic Services >>
- Hartford Generation Work Launches Workforce Leaders Academy >>
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation
Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford
Lawson Valentine Foundation
Liberty Bank Foundation
- Foundation Wins John S. Martinez Community Service Award >>
- Liberty Bank, Rotary Clubs Raise Record $356,372 to Help Fill Thanksgiving Food Baskets >>
Main Street Community Foundation
- For Goodness Sake Awarded Grant from The Broad View Fund >>
- Men & Boys’ Fund Supports Bristol Youth Services >>
- Grant to Fund Southington Drug Addiction and Prevention Efforts >>
The Melville Charitable Trust
Groundbreaking Study Reports That One in Ten Young Adults Experience Homelessness During One Year >>
MetroHartford Alliance
New Canaan Community Foundation
- New Canaan, Darien Both Winners on Giving Tuesday >>
- It's Going To Be Huge! Fund to Help Acquire New Playground Structures >>
Newman's Own Foundation
- Bridgeport Hospital gets $25K from Newman's Own >>
- Grant to Support Internships at Wesleyan’s Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship >>
- Help Our Military Heroes Receives $70K Grant >>
- FitKids Awards Grade Schoolers for Running Accomplishments >>
Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation
- $60K Awarded for Northwest Corner Critical Needs >>
- Draper Foundation Fund Provides $763,978 in Support of Area Nonprofits >>
Nutmeg Foundation
People's United Community Foundation
SBM Charitable Foundation
- Grant Provides Hill-Stead Museum Educational Outreach to Students >>
- Generations Family Health Center Receives Grant to Support the Willimantic Pediatric Dentistry Program >>
Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation
United Way of Central & Northeastern Connecticut
United Way of Coastal Fairfield County
United Way of Greater New Haven
United Way of Western Connecticut
Valley Community Foundation
Non-Member News Links
Remembering the Sandy Hook Victims - Hartford Courant (12/14/17)
Common Sense Fund
William C. Bullitt Foundation
Bracketts for Good
First County Bank Foundation
Michael J. Fox Foundation
Gowrie Group
The Hartford
Hartford Bishop's Foundation
Ion Bank
KentPresents
Joyce and Andrew Mandell
William and Alice Mortensen Foundation
Thomaston Savings Bank
Union Savings Bank Foundation
United Bank Foundation
Walmart Foundation
Wells Fargo
Peter J. Werth
Grants and RFPs
Member Grants and RFPs
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
- DECEMBER 31: Application deadline: Madeleine Beattie Wildes Fund >>
Branford Community Foundation
- DECEMBER 31: Application deadline: Competitive Grant Cycle >>
Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford
- JANUARY 5: Application deadline: Community Grants >>
Cox Communications
- JANUARY 17: Application deadline: 2018 Cox Charities Community Grant Program for Summer and After-school Programming with a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) Focus >>
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
- JANUARY 18: Application deadline: The Community Fund for Women & Girls >>
- JANUARY 22: Application deadline: The Quinnipiac River Fund >>
American Savings Foundation
- JANUARY 19: Application deadline: Program Grants >>
Connecticut Community Foundation
- JANUARY 25: Application deadline: Issue Area Grants >>
- JANUARY 26: Application deadline: Sponsorships for events held after March 30 >>
Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation
- JANUARY 31: Application deadline: January Grant Cycle >>
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain
FEBRUARY 1: Grant application deadline: For Those Invited to Apply for Funding After LOI Review >>
The Donaghue Foundation
FEBRUARY 5: Letter of Intent deadline: Another Look Grants: Better Health for Elders in Care Facilities >>
J. Walton Bissell Foundation
FEBRUARY 28: Application deadline: First Grant Cycle >>
William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
Perrin Family Foundation
Non-Member Grants and RFPs
Brackets for Good
- DECEMBER 31: Nonprofit registration deadline: 2018 Brackets for Good Tournament >>
Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT Foundation
FEBRUARY 18: Application deadline: Grants to Eastern CT Organizations that Benefit Local Children and Families >>
Scholarships & Student Opportunities
Bank of America
- FEBRUARY 2: Application deadline: Student Leaders Program for High School Juniors and Seniors in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford >>
Connecticut Bar Foundation
FEBRUARY 23: Entry deadline: 2017-2018 Statewide High School Essay Contest - Diversity Disagreement >>
The Rockfall Foundation
MARCH 2: Application deadline: Virginia R. Rollefson Environmental Leadership Scholarship >>
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
JANUARY 15 and LATER: Application deadlines: Hartford Foundation’s 2017 Online Scholarship Directory is Available for Area Students >>
FIND MORE SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION >>
The power of good people
Mary Tullis Engvall, of Canton, is the new director of civic affairs, corporate responsibility and executive director of the Cigna Foundation. In this role, Engvall leads the strategy and practices for Cigna's corporate giving, employee volunteerism and community impact initiatives. Through the Cigna Foundation, she and her team manage charitable grants to nonprofit organizations, primarily through Cigna’s World of Difference grant program, focused on improving and supporting health equity and community health navigation. These philanthropic partnerships work to address health disparities and respond to community needs in ways that are sustainable, scalable, and effective. Read more >>
The MetroHartford Alliance's Executive Committee recently voted to appoint Nancy Wheeler, senior vice president and executive director for investor relations, as the organization's interim president and CEO, effective January 1, 2018. "We have a tremendous team and foundation in place at the Alliance and I look forward to continuing to build value for our investors," says Wheeler. "I have enjoyed working alongside Oz, who made a lasting impact on this organization and community and I look forward to serving in this new role and a successful transition to a new CEO." Read more >>
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut welcomed three new trustees at its annual meeting in November: Mary Broderick, Harry Ferguson, and Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba. Mary Broderick of East Lyme is an education advocate committed to equity and social justice. Mystic resident Harry Ferguson practiced law in Connecticut and Massachusetts and has a rich history of board service and volunteerism on behalf of youth and families. Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba of Niantic has served as the 18th Chief of the Mohegan Tribe since 2010, and is the first female Chief in the tribe’s modern history. The Foundation’s Board of Trustees also instated new officers: Steve Larcen of Niantic will serve as chair; David Schulz of Mystic as vice chair; Cathy Bokoff of Norwich as secretary; and Ed Higgins of Woodstock as treasurer. Read more >>
The American Savings Foundation recently elected two new directors: Michael Carrier, a Partner at Weber & Carrier, LLP in New Britain; and Caitlyn Prescott, director of commercial New York/New Jersey finance at Aetna. Read @ New Britain Herald >>
The Trust for Learning, a group of grantmakers that accelerates the supply of ideal learning programs, welcomes Libby Doggett to its board of advisors. Libby brings more than 40 years of leadership and management skills honed through work in schools, Head Start and child care with children of all abilities, to building public will and creating strong coalitions to improve children’s readiness for Kindergarten. Recently Libby served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Early Learning at the US Department of Education overseeing both the Early Learning Challenge and the Preschool Development Grant Programs. Read more >>
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's Progreso Latino Fund featured State Senator George Logan in its Celebrating Latino Leaders series. Senator Logan, serving in the 17th District Connecticut General Assembly, is a New Haven native and came gradually to politics and government, first serving his community through volunteering. Read more >>
Jobs in Philanthropy
- Policy and Program Associate - Trust for Learning
- Senior Development Officer - The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
- Sr. Officer, External Communications and Community Engagement - Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
- Development Director - The Rockfall Foundation
- Program Officer - Viking Global Foundation
- Grants Operations Manager - Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
- Postdoctoral Fellowship - Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut
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: January 31; March 8; April 18; May 17; June 21; August 2; September 13; October 25; November 29. Submission Deadlines: Close of business one week before the publication date.