CT Philanthropy Digest - Mar 2014

Friday, March 28, 2014

New Giving Day Raises $745,000 for Fairfield County Nonprofits
Newman's Own Awards $200,000 as Part of "Honoring Those Who Serve" initiative
Two Libraries Get Uplift from Foundations
CL&P and Yankee Gas support 24 Robotics Teams
Comcast Cares Day in CT
Outdoor Enthusiasts to Have More Info About Nagautuck River Access
Land Trust Establishes Fund to Protect Environment
LINKS TO OTHER NEWS
ANNOUNCEMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
PEOPLE & RECOGNITIONS
SEND US YOUR NEWS

   HEADLINE SUMMARIES

New Giving Day Raises $745,000 for Fairfield County Nonprofits

In just one day, a total of 15,423 donations were received by local nonprofits totaling $618,229.64, during the Fairfield County Giving Day, an online 24-hour day of local giving on Friday, March 7.
          An additional $127,500 in prizes funded by the Fairfield County Community Foundation, Bank of America and other corporate and community sponsors, were awarded to more than 50 nonprofits.

          All combined, Fairfield County Giving Day raised $745,729.64 for more than 250 local nonprofits.

"Our local nonprofits provide critical services in our community, and Fairfield County Giving Day was a great way to showcase their important work and help them raise funds that will allow them to do more," said Juanita T. James, president & CEO, Fairfield County Community Foundation. "Thank you to all who contributed and supported this first year effort."

          A full list of all the participating nonprofits and how much they raised can be viewed online at www.FCGives.org.

          For more information:  Sallie Mitchell, Faifield County Community Foundation, 203-750-3206, smitchell@fccfoundation.org; T.J. Crawford, Bank of America, tj.crawford@bankofamerica.com, 646-855-3301. 

Newman's Own Awards $200,000 as Part of "Honoring Those Who Serve" initiative

          Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation was awarded a two-year $200,000 grant from Newman's Own Foundation, as part of its Honoring Those Who Serve initiative that supports United States military men, women, and families. 

          Fidelco breeds, trains and places its unique breed of German Shepherd Guide Dogs for people who are blind. The Newman's Own Foundation grant will support Fidelco's core mission with a special emphasis on services for blinded veterans and their family members.

          "Recalling Paul Newman's service in the United States Naval Corps in World War II, we have been committed to supporting military nonprofits for over twenty years," said Robert Forrester, President and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation. "More service men and women are surviving battlefield injuries which leave them seriously injured and blind. We are pleased to award a grant to Fidelco as they endeavor to make a difference in the lives of these veterans and their families."

          There are more than 160,000 blind veterans now living in the United States, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and that number is expected to increase. Each year, some 7,000 veterans from the Korean and Vietnam conflict eras become blind or visually impaired due to age-related diseases. And about 17 percent of younger veterans wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer traumatic eye injury, according to the American Foundation for the Blind, including penetrative eye damage from IED explosions.

          For more information: Heidi Voight, Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, 860-243-4800, hvoight@fidelco.org.

Two Libraries Get Uplift from Foundations

          Kent Memorial Library in Suffield and Saxton B. Little Free Library in Columbia will be making improvements to their facilities thanks to the generosity of two separate foundations.

          Construction is expected to begin this summer on a handicapped-accessible addition to the Suffield's Kent Memorial Library, thanks, in part, to a $200,000 grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
          The improvements will make the library, built in 1971, compliant with standards for a historic building under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The library, designed by noted architect Warren Platner, is considered an important example of modern architecture.
          The Saxton B. Little Free Library in Columbia has been awarded a $10,000 grant from New Alliance Foundation. The grant will be used to assist with the planned renovation and expansion of the library.

          This is the second grant received in the last 6 months to support the proposed renovation. The Library will also receive a $1 million construction grant from the State of Connecticut if the townspeople of Columbia vote in November to approve a bond to expand the library. 

           Fore more information: Chris Senecal, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 860-548-1888, csenecal@hfpg.org; Maryann Ott, NewAlliance Foundation, 203-859-6555, mott@newalliancefoundation.org.

CL&P and Yankee Gas support 24 Robotics Teams

          Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) and Yankee Gas' have awarded a total of $15,500 in grants to help 24 high school teams fund their efforts in the upcoming 2014 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition Northeast Utilities FIRST Connecticut Regional.

          "It is really exciting to see that the teams are from all over the state," said Jim Muntz, president and chief operating officer, CL&P. "These are students who see the value in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These are skills that are vital to this country's future."
          Applications were judged on team diversity, what types of fundraising the teams were involved with, how these teams have helped mentor other FIRST Robotics teams, and commitment and involvement in community service.

          See the list of recipient teams.
          More than 1,500 high school students are expected to compete in the 2014 Connecticut FIRST Robotics Competition, March 29 - 31 at Hartford's Connecticut Convention Center. Northeast Utilities is the title sponsor. 

          For more information: Mitch Gross, Connecticut Light and Power, 860-665-5221.

Comcast Cares Day in CT

          Comcast's signature day of service, Comcast Cares Day, is the culmination of the company's year-round volunteer activities. Comcast and NBCUniversal mobilize employees, their families and friends to work alongside community partners and public officials to revitalize neglected neighborhood parks, beautify schools to improve the learning environment, stock community food banks, install computer labs at community centers, plant trees, conduct food drives and much more.

          This year the company expects more than 80,000 Comcast and NBCUniversal volunteers to participate in over 700 projects across the country and around the globe.

          Where you can Comcast volunteers in Connecticut on Saturday, April 26, 2014:

  • East Hartford YMCA Larson Community Center, East Hartford, CT
  • Lincoln Elementary School Nutmeg Big Brothers and Big Sisters "Bigs and Littles" Giving Back Together, New Britain, CT
  • Fairview Oddfellows Home, Groton, CT
  • Middlesex YMCA Camp Ingersoll, Portland, CT
  • Quinnipiac Elementary School, New Haven, CT
  • Seymour Boys & Girls Club, Seymour, CT
  • Valley Shore YMCA, Westbrook, CT
  • NBC CT & Comcast partnered Shred Event, Westfarms Mall, West Hartford, CT
  • NBC Universal & Comcast partnered New Covenant House - Hospitality, Stamford, CT

          For more information: Karen Perham-Lippman, Comcast Western New England Region, Karen_Perham-Lippman@Cable.Comcast.com

Outdoor Enthusiasts to Have More Info About Nagautuck River Access

          Boaters, fisherman, hikers and bikers will soon have more information regarding available recreational and greenway opportunities along the Naugatuck River because of a $6,000 grant from the Connecticut Community Foundation. The grant was awarded to the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) to expand the Naugatuck River Web site.

          Other funders include ION Bank; Aquarion Water Company; Wesson Energy, Inc.; Thomaston Savings Bank; Valley Community Foundation; and Connecticut Outdoors.

          HVA Water Protection Director Michael Jastremski said, "There is widespread agreement among current users of the site that its most important function is getting people out to enjoy the Naugatuck. We'll use this funding to make the site an even better resource for planning river trips by making it easier for people to use the Web site to communicate with each other about river-related activities and issues.

          For more information: Michael Jastremski, Housatonic Valley Association, 860-672-6678,

msjastremski@hvatoday.org.

Land Trust Establishes Fund to Protect Environment

          The Berlin Land Trust, Inc. has established a new fund at the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain (CFGNB), affording existing supporters, new donors, area citizens and conservationists alike with a convenient way to help preserve open space in Berlin and beyond.
          The Berlin Land Trust Fund is designed to advance the Trust's goals of preserving open space in Berlin and surrounding towns, and educating citizens of the benefits of land preservation.
          "The environment in which we live is a gift, and a gift worth protecting for all to enjoy," said Attorney Dennis Kern of Berlin, president of the Berlin Land Trust, Inc. "The properties owned by the Berlin Land Trust will be protected in perpetuity, and never be used for housing or commercial development."

          For additional information on the Berlin Land Trust, Inc., visit their website at  www.berlinlandtrust.org.

          For more information: Jim Williamson, Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, 860-229-6018.

   LINKS TO OTHER NEWS

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, Travelers

Philanthropists, Community Partners Gave $25 Million To Hartford School Initiatives

AARP Foundation
AARP Donates Winter Relief to Operation Fuel
Citizens Bank
Citizens Bank Supports The Capital Good Fund's Free Tax Preparation in New London County

Community Foundation of Northwest Connecticut

Torrington Public Schools Receive $15,000 Draper Foundation Fund Grant

Connecticut Health and Education Facilities Authority (CHEFA)
CHEFA Grant Awarded to The Village
Fairfield County Bank
Fairfield County Bank Donates $10k to the Connecticut Food Bank
Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund
Scholarship Fund Opens for Applications
Liberty Bank Foundation
Montville Students Learn Money Management at Credit for Life Fair

Main Street Community Foundation
Community Foundation Reports $1.2m in Near-Record Grants in 2013

Main Street Community Foundation
Community Foundation Grant Unifies Team
PSEG Foundation
Burn Center Receives PSEG Grant
The 1772 Foundation
Pomfret Foundation Awards Grants
Travelers
Travelers Extends Title Sponsorship of PGA Tour Event
United Way of Greater New Haven
Neighbor-to-Neighbor Lifeline Grants $274,000 to Nonprofits Helping Those Who Need It Most
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare Provides $1 Million Grant to Connecticut Children's Medical Center to Improve Access to Quality Pediatric Health Care
Virtus Investment Partners
Virtus Investment Partners Invests in Connecticut Children's New Cardiovascular Care Center by Funding State-of-the-Art Family Consultation Room

Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Foundation

Eastern chamber hands out $90K in grants to nonprofits

 

   ANNOUNCEMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Grant Deadlines

 

Connecticut Health Foundation
The Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health) announces a new funding opportunity that aims to prioritize the needs and preferences of people of color while implementing health reform. The "Diverse Advocacy and Consumer Engagement in Health Reform" initiative will invest in nonprofits led by and serving people of color to ensure health reform truly benefits all the residents of our state. The Request for Proposals (RFP) is open to Connecticut-based, nonprofit organizations led by a person of color that serve people of color. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 21, 2014.

 

Dominion Nuclear Connecticut
Dominion offers grants that provide elementary and secondary educators with the tools they need to revitalize math and science programs. In the area of k-12 education, grant applications of up to $10,000 are accepted, that encourage the development of new programs to strengthen math and science education through the study of energy or the environment. The Dominion Foundation will award approximately $325,000 in educational partnership grants throughout targeted areas. Geographic eligibility in Connecticut includes the cities of Bridgeport, Colchester, East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Old Lyme, Salem, Somers, Stonington and Waterford. The deadline to apply is Thursday, May 1, 2014.

 

Donaghue Foundation
The Donaghue Foundation is pleased to announce the offering of a second round of the Another Look: Better Health for Elders in Care Facilities grant program. Another Look will provide funding for health-related research projects that can improve the quality of care and the quality of life for the elderly population in nursing homes or other care facilities. Specifically, this program invites researchers interested in addressing a particular problem affecting the elderly population in care facilities to analyze data that already exist to address their research question. In 2014, the Foundation will invest approximately $450,000 in this grant program. Letters of intent are due by May 12, 2014. 

 

Nellie Mae Education Foundation
The Nellie Mae Education Foundation has launched an effort to increase public awareness, understanding, support and demand for student centered learning throughout New England. Public engagement is critical for helping communities understand, consider and adapt to student centered learning to fit their goals and needs. The Foundation seeks an intermediary with the experience, skills and vision to facilitate local activities to build public understanding, support and demand for student centered learning. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 16, 2014.

May 2 Deadline for Tenth Annual eesmarts Contest for Students
Energize Connecticut, in partnership with Connecticut Light & Power and the United Illuminating Company, is proud to announce the Tenth Annual eesmarts Contest. The annual contest invites Connecticut K-12 students to showcase their "energy smarts" about energy-saving, renewable energy, and sustainability through various media forms. Finalists for each grade level will be honored at a special awards ceremony on June 5, at the State Capitol in Hartford. For all grade levels, first, second and third prize winners receive a $400, $250 and $50 Amazon Gift Cards respectively. The "Power of Change" category was created in collaboration with the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, Hampshire Foundation, and The Common Sense Fund. The eesmarts program provides grants of $1,000 for first place and second place, and $500 for third place, with the foundations matching these grant levels. The contest is open to all students in Connecticut and the deadline for entries is May 2, 2014.  For more information visit www.eesmarts.com/contest.

Touch A Life Luncheon

Wednesday, May 7, Country Club of New Canaan, New Canaan. The keynote speaker for New Canaan Community Foundation's Touch A Life Luncheon is Lee Woodruff, whose husband Bob was severely wounded in Iraq while on assignment for ABC News. Lee knows that life changes in an instant and her experience provides a testament to strength and grace during life's many challenges. She is a contributor to CBS News This Morning and a popular inspirational and motivational speaker who conveys a message of love, healing, and an understanding that we're all fighting our own battle. 

Women and Girls Fund Activities


Dr. Maya Angelou to speak at Fund for Women and Girls Annual Luncheon
Thursday, April 3, Hyatt Regency, Greenwich. Fairfield County Community Foundation has engaged Dr. Maya Angelou, a celebrated poet, educator, historian and civil rights activist, to be the keynote speaker at the Fund for Women and Girls annual luncheon. Dr. Angelou is one of the most renowned and influential voices of our time. Hailed as a global renaissance woman and a trailblazer in film and television, Dr. Angelou wrote the screenplay and composed the score for the 1972 film Georgia, Georgia. Her script, the first by an African American woman ever to be filmed, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.


13th Annual Wonder of Women (WOW) Features Cari Champion
Monday, April 28, 5:30 pm, The Aqua Turf Club, Southington. The 13th annual Wonder of Women (WOW), an event sponsored by the Women & Girls Fund at Main Street Community Foundation, will feature guest speaker Cari Champion, host of ESPN2's First Take. "This event allows the Fund to do what it does - improve the quality of life for women and girls in the communities we serve," stated Sandi Perillo and EJ Conlin, this year's WOW event co-chairs. For more information contact: Samantha Rajotte, Main Street Community Foundation, 860-583-6363.


Aurora Women and Girl's Foundation Seeks Philanthropist Nominations
Annually, at its Signature Breakfast, the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation honors a woman and a young woman in the Greater Hartford region who contribute to the community through their philanthropic activities. The Foundation is activity seeking 2014 Woman Philanthropist of the Year Nominations for women who identify issues and share their time, talents and treasures to meet community needs and address problems - especially as they may impact women and girls; and 2014 Young Philanthropist of the Year Nominations for young women (between the ages of 14 to 18 years old) who are doing great things in their communities - who are "giving back" and making a difference.


Windham Women & Girls Fund meets Ossen Challenge
Thanks to 99 gifts it received in the last month of 2013, the Windham Women & Girls Fund increased its permanent endowment to $275,000 and directed another $27,000 in grants to social concerns in the region. The grants were decided by the Women & Girls Fund, a program of the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, and made possible by the Jeffrey P. Ossen Family Foundation.
          "Eileen Ossen gave us a very generous challenge," noted Fund Co-Founder Lee Terry. "Her foundation is matching every dollar the Women & Girls Fund raises for endowment with another dollar for grants. People have a wonderful incentive to grow the endowment for stability, and we're able to ensure the most grant dollars in the Fund's history."
          "The Jeffrey P Ossen Family Foundation is pleased to help the Windham Women & Girls Fund raise funds for their endowment," Eileen Ossen responded. "The Women & Girls Fund is making a difference in the lives of women and girls in this area. We are proud to be part of the work the Fund is accomplishing."
          Now starting its third and final year, the "Ossen Challenge" promises a maximum of $200,000 in matching funds, or a little over $66,000 per year, Terry explained. The Fund met the match in the first year as well.
          For more information: Kip Parker, Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, 860-442-3572, kip@cfect.org.

   PEOPLE & RECOGNITIONS

RBS Citizens Financial Group has received international recognition at the second annual Sponsorium Awards, an award highlighting "companies from around the world who are improving the quality of community life in their local markets and globally." They did this by integrating community into sponsorships through Citizens Helping Citizens, a program embracing the bank's community goals. Citizens Helping Citizens program addresses five key areas: hunger, housing, economic development, financial education and volunteerism.

The Fund for Greater Hartford recently welcomed two board members, Dr. CARMEN CID and NELSON J. RODRIGUEZ
          Dr. Carmen Cid, Interim President of Quinebaug Valley Community College, has served as dean of Eastern Connecticut State University's School of Arts and Sciences since 2005. She has 28 years of higher education experience as a professor of ecology and chair of Eastern's Biology Department. DR. Cid is nationally recognized for her expertise in enhancing K-16 student and faculty recruitment and retention, especially for women and minorities in the sciences, for development of innovative interdisciplinary programs, and college transfer articulation. 
          Nelson J. Rodriguez, Strategic Business Development Manager for New York Life, was named to the Latinos for Professional Advancement's (LUPA) "50 Most Influential Latinos in the Greater Hartford Area" in 2012 and 2013. In 2011-2012, he was the president of  National Society of Hispanic MBAs CT Chapter. Mr. Rodriguez also serves on the boards of The Knox Foundation and International Hartford.

The Melville Charitable Trust, the nation's largest philanthropy focused exclusively on ending homelessness, announced that ARTHUR C. EVANS JR., PH.D has joined its Board of Directors. Dr. Evans is the Commissioner of Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Service (DBHIDS), a $1 billion healthcare agency. Dr. Evans is a clinical and community psychologist. He holds faculty appointments at the University of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He held faculty appointments at the Yale University School of Medicine and Quinnipiac University.
          Prior to his work in Philadelphia, Dr. Evans was the Deputy Commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (DHMAS), where he led major strategic initiatives for the Connecticut behavioral healthcare system. He was instrumental in implementing a recovery-oriented policy framework, addressing healthcare disparities, and increasing the use of evidence-based practices.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has named MONIQUE R. POLIDORO, VANESSA ROBERTS AVERY, BERNARDO G. CUADRA, JOHN W. ECKEL, SUZANNE S. GIUFFRIDA and MICHAEL J. WELCH to their Professional Advisory Committee. Established in 1993, the Professional Advisory Committee provides valuable feedback to Hartford Foundation staff on philanthropic strategies, communications efforts, and community reactions and attitudes. The committee also advises the Foundation on trends and opportunities to engage individuals and families in the region's charitable community.

          Monique R. Polidoro of Tolland, who will serve as chair of the committee this year, is a partner at the law firm of Rogin Nassau, LLC. She specializes in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, charitable planning and elder law. Monique works with clients and their families to structure estate plans that implement their personal goals, protect their loved ones and reflect their values while minimizing taxes. 
          Vanessa Roberts Avery of Hartford is a business and financial services litigation attorney at McCarter and English, with experience in complex commercial litigation, trust and probate litigation, product liability litigation, and appellate advocacy. Her experience with trust and probate litigation includes will contests, disputed accountings, fiduciary claims, and challenges to private and charitable trusts in the probate and superior courts. 
          Bernardo G. Cuadra of Holyoke, Mass. is an associate at the law firm of Shipman and Goodwin in Hartford, where he specializes in the area of estate planning, estate settlement and trust administration. Bernardo assists clients with the full range of planning techniques for tax-effective intergenerational and charitable transfers. 
          John W. Eckel of Simsbury founded Pinnacle Investment Management in 1991. He has been selected four times by Worth magazine as one of the "best financial advisors" in the United States. He was also selected by BusinessWeek.com as one of the most experienced financial advisors, named twice by Medical Economics as one of the best advisors for doctors and is listed as one of the "Top Professional Advisors" in J.K. Lasser's book, Estate Planning for Baby Boomers and Retirees.
          Suzanne S. Giuffrida of West Hartford is a senior trust officer at U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, where she is responsible for providing fiduciary solutions and administration to high-net-worth clients and their families. 
          Michael J. Welch of Suffield is a tax partner with Pue, Chick, Lebowitz and Blezard, LLC in Vernon. He specializes in tax and estate planning and compliance for closely held businesses, not-for-profit organizations and high-net-worth individuals. 
          For the full list of current members, visit www.hfpg.org/professionaladvisors.

   SEND US YOUR NEWS

For more news about philanthropy in Connecticut go to the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy's press room and the Connecticut Philanthropy Digest archives.

News about Connecticut funders may be submitted to the Council for consideration. The Connecticut Philanthropy Digest is brought to you by the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy. Edited by Laurie Allen.
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