COMMUNITY CURRENTS SUMMER 2016

The latest news and stories about our Greater New Haven Community.

October 18, 2016

View or download the newsletter here.

A Life Redeemed; An Inspiring Story

Senghor Headlines Convening in New Haven

Photo of Shaka Senghor by Chris Volpe

Ensuring successful reentry of the formerly incarcerated and reducing recidivism are as much about inspiration as about programs. On September 8, The Community Foundation partnered with local nonprofit EMERGE CT to present best-selling author Shaka Senghor, a leading voice in criminal justice reform who, after nineteen years in prison for killing a man, transformed his life for the better. Senghor shared his story of perseverance, redemption and benevolence with a diverse crowd of almost 250 guests, including formerly incarcerated individuals. The evening included a moving and spirited dialogue with Senghor moderated by Community Foundation board member Flemming L. Norcott Jr., retired Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. Guests received a copy of Senghor's book, Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death, and Redemption in an American Prison. Read more here.

"A Closer Look" Launches on giveGreater.org ®

Donors Invited to Learn about the Region's Issues

From October 2016 through September 2017, The Community Foundation will be highlighting different areas of nonprofit services provided throughout Greater New Haven. Using giveGreater.org® as the platform, The Foundation is asking the community to take
"A Closer Look" at some of the issues that impact the health and wellbeing of Greater New Haven and the nonprofits that are working to address those issues. October's focus is on nonprofits operating in the social justice space. Visit giveGreater.org® to learn why they
exist, what they provide and what their impact has been in the region. "A Closer Look" will run each month, excluding the months of May and December. Learn more here.

Instagram Campaign Underway

We're using social media to raise awareness of the issues and challenges faced by Greater New Haven's formerly-incarcerated and immigrant populations.Portraits, accompanied by personal stories of trials and successes, will be posted weekly to Instagram:@lifeafterincarcerationgnh and @immigrantexperience.

Stone Family Fund Honors Late Husband

History of Family Philanthropy Preserved

The death of Lou Stone, as a result of an accident on Thanksgiving morning in 2013, was felt not only among his family and friends, but across the entire Greater New Haven community. Lou was a well-known and highly respected businessman and philanthropist who devoted a considerable amount of time and talent to organizations
serving the community's most vulnerable. To honor her husband's life, Susan Stone created a donor advised fund because it affords the greatest flexibility. It enables her to support organizations for which Lou cared greatly and to fund causes about which she cares, such as alleviating hunger, providing educational opportunities and fighting climate change. Read full story here.

Donor Advised Funds are Powerful Force for Giving

Donor advised funds (DAFs) enable donors to The Community Foundation stay actively involved in decisions as to their grantmaking. The New York Community Trust had the first donor advised fund in 1931. Now donor advised funds are the fastest growing, charitable giving vehicle in the country. Some facts about DAFs at The Foundation:

  • 31% of new funds created in the last 5 years are donor advised funds
  • 14% of total grantmaking in the last 5 years was from donor advised funds
  • $12 Million in grants were distributed from donor advised funds in the last 5 years
  • Over the last 5 years, an average of 663 donor advised grants have been made annually
  • The first DAF at The Community Foundation was created in the early 1970s when Samuel Gingold made plans for his private family foundation to become a donor advised fund. His wife, Rose, and his daughter made grant recommendations until their deaths.

Learn more about DAFs here.


Professional Advisors and The Community Foundation: Perfect Partners

Many attorneys, bankers, accountants and financial planners have found The Community Foundation to be the ideal vehicle through which their clients can achieve their philanthropic objectives. We are proud to partner with the professionals listed to build effective philanthropy in Greater New Haven. See the full list of our partners here.

Lending a Helping Hand, Home and Abroad

Federation is a Central Resource for Communal Planning, Outreach and Jewish Education

From Connecticut to Israel, and everywhere in between, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven (JFGNH) provides an extensive array of educational and social services. The Federation, which welcomed Judy Diamonstein as its new CEO in January, achieves its mission through the values of tikkun olam (repairing the world), tzedakah (charity and social justice) and Torah (Jewish learning). Services include: aiding day schools and providing childcare, scholarships, a Jewish educator for children with special needs and Holocaust education. The Community Foundation has awarded more than $500,000 from donor advised and unrestricted funds over the years to JFGNH. Read the full story here.

Chorus Sings its Way Into Community's Heart

Chorus Sings its Way Into Community's Heart

For over 40 years, central Connecticut has enjoyed harmonized melodies — thanks to the Wallingford Chorus. The Chorus was formed to celebrate the Town of Wallingford's tercentenary in 1970, and has continued to serenade the town ever since. The Chorus performs two concerts a year, one in May and one in December at Church of the Resurrection, with rehearsals every Tuesday at Lyman Hall High School. It is supported by individual donations and has received funding from The Community Foundation through our Arts Fund and The Great Give®. Read the full story here.

New Haven Promise: Creating Opportunity for the Next Generation

Foundation Board Awards $1.3M Multi-Year Grant

After six years, New Haven Promise (NHP) is embarking upon the second stage of its development with the opportunity to adjust its relationships, programs and priorities to the changing needs of our community. As a leading NHP funder and with a seat on the
NHP board of directors, The Foundation has an important role to play in this process. In September, The Foundation awarded a $1.3M 3-year grant to provide NHP with the opportunity for programmatic growth and organizational sustainability. More than just a scholarship organization, NHP is positioned to be a catalyst for economic growth and development in New Haven by creating a pipeline of educated and employable young people who are committed to their community. Read more here.