Blogs

Continuing its commitment to service and social justice throughout the New Haven community, Black Student Alliance at Yale (BSAY) has renewed its “First Steps, Second Chances” campaign. BSAY will award a $1000 scholarship to a New Haven student that has either been
previously incarcerated or has a parent who has been or is currently
incarcerated. 

The application deadline is March 8, 2013. If you know of anyone or group that could benefit from this scholarship, please pass it along! More information and the application itself can be found here: http://www.bsay.org/#/first-steps-second-chances/4559610113

Message me or email me at Maya.Torain@yale.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks! 

Maya

Men's Basketball Jersey Night
Friday, February 15th - 7pm vs. Cornell
Wear your favorite basketball jersey and get one (1) FREE General Admission Ticket!

Gymnastics Youth Day
Saturday, February 16th - Bulldog Invitational (1pm) vs. West Chester, Springfield, and Bridgeport
FREE Admission
FREE Drawstring bags to kids 12 & under
Post-meet autograph session with the team  

Women's Hockey Youth Day
Saturday, February 16th - 4pm vs. Union
FREE drawstring bags to kids 12 & under
Post-game autograph session with the team

Want to know what else is coming up? Check out Yale University's Fan Zone.

New Haven Neighborhood Grant Funding Announcement

The Neighborhood Leadership Grant Program works with resident leaders in New Haven neighborhoods to make our community a better place. We believe that resident leaders have the power to influence what happens in a neighborhood and the ability to build community where they live. We believe that all communities have assets, which include neighborhood residents, local institutions, and private and public resources. Furthermore, we believe that by supporting neighborhood leaders we facilitate their ability to inspire other residents to act in their own self-interest and the well-being of their community.

The New Haven Neighborhood Leadership Grant Program provides grants up to $3,000 and Leadership Workshops to help you to contribute to positive change in your neighborhood. This year, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven will prioritize activities that enhance student achievement; support a college going culture; help reduce violence; and promote infant health. 

The Application and Guidelines are attached.  These documents are also available online on our website.  Visit our Grants page here and click on the option New Haven Neighborhood Leadership Grant Program to download the Guidelines and the Application.

Check out the tutorial to complete the application, click here.  There is also a link to a video explaining what we are looking for in an application to the right, under “related video”.

Applications must be received via email by 12:00 pm on Monday, February 4, 2013

The New Haven Symphony Orchestra is looking for a Director of Development. Please see the job description below for details.

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Job Summary

The Development Director is responsible for building the capacity of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra by overseeing a comprehensive year-round fundraising program. A member of the senior management team reporting to the Executive Director, the Development Director plans, implements, manages, and evaluates all fundraising activities related to maintaining and growing earned income to ensure the financial stability of the NHSO.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage all fundraising initiatives to achieve annually budgeted goals ($1.2 million for FY2013). Efforts include annual fund, corporate sponsorship, foundation and government grants, trusts management, planned giving, endowment campaign, special events, in-kind donations, and special projects.
• Assist the Executive Director and the Board of Directors in establishing annual and long-range goals, budgets, projections, and plans for all fundraising campaigns and initiatives. Provide monthly reports and financial statements.
• Maintain ongoing relationships with current donors, sponsors, funders, and business and community leaders. Develop new prospects in each category. 
• Work closely with the Board, and in particular the Development Committee, to continuously research, cultivate, and solicit new sources of revenue.
• Direct development staff, interns, and volunteers in all fundraising endeavors.
• Recruit committee members for fundraising campaigns and special events.
• Supervise and complete grant applications and sponsorship proposals, acknowledgment of gifts, and tendering of required reports and follow-up. 
• Monitor fulfillment of donor and sponsor benefits, events, and recognition. 
• Oversee maintenance of donor files and records and the timeliness of donor communications.
• Manage creation and production of print and electronic fundraising materials. 
• Research new opportunities for arts funding at the local, state, and national levels.
• Work with the Board and volunteers to plan fundraising events and benefits, including an annual Gala, and oversee the execution of each event. Coordinate auctions and raffles to supplement each event.
• Represent the NHSO by attending civic and cultural events in the community and making presentations as requested.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; advanced degree preferred. 
• Minimum seven years of direct fundraising experience. Proven leadership and success in development areas of campaigns, donor cultivation, membership development, grant writing, and organizational coordination.
• Knowledge of laws related to donations, financial planning, and IRS regulations. Strong commitment to fundraising ethics. 
• Familiarity with database management tools such as Raiser’s Edge. Superb communication skills, both written and oral.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Ability to cultivate strong interpersonal relationships and to articulate the NHSO’s mission to a wide range of audiences in a variety of ways. 
• Enthusiasm for working collaboratively with a dedicated team.

Hours and Compensation

• This is a full-time position with competitive benefits. Some evening/weekend hours required. Positive and flexible team environment. Salary commensurate with experience.

About the Organization

Mission Statement:
Through its live performances of classical music and education programs, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra aspires to exceed expectations, unite communities, challenge, delight, and inspire. We change lives, for the better.

Vision Statement: 
The Vision of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra is to celebrate our classical music heritage, enriched through new American compositions, by expanding opportunities for symphonic performances and music education. We will celebrate this Vision through:

1. Live performances centered on symphony and pops concerts, supplemented by chamber and ensemble performances by orchestra members and guest artists;
2. Promotion of new works by American composers-in-residence and composers well-versed in Asian, African and Latin traditions, including performances of their works;
3. Support of youth and community orchestras and classical music education;
4. Performances for children and families that introduce the classical music heritage and the major forms of its presentation; and
5. Social networks and other media that enhance accessibility to classical music and its interpretation.

How to Apply:
Submit a resume and cover letter detailing experience with the requirements described above to:

Development Director Search
New Haven Symphony Orchestra
105 Court Street, Suite 302
New Haven, CT 06511
ecarroll@NewHavenSymphony.org

New Haven Promise is a program and component fund of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. This position will articulate, develop, implement and manage the digital and technology strategy for New Haven Promise. Working with the Executive Director. Additionally, the goal is to insure that systems are established to effectively and proficiently meet the needs of the program.

Title: Digital Systems Manager

Essential Duties & Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Championing the digital strategy, the outcomes and ongoing results with constituent audiences (educators, students, parents, sponsors, alumni and nonprofits).
• Exhibiting strong understanding of the digital space, web 2.0 technologies, event management software, supports online management of learning communities.
• Keeps abreast of latest technology trends.
• Develops best-in-class capabilities for integration across platforms, plans through establishing system requirements, process, procedures and digital platforms.
• Ensures that digital and technology initiatives are consistent with the expected social ROI and key goals.
• Participates in and represents the NHP’s vision and mission in related meetings in schools, with community groups and in all related venues.
• Leads cross-functional projects within the area of digital strategy and engagement.
• Able to work with and oversee key outside vendor relationships.
• Manages all reporting systems and analytics.
• Identifies and resolves impediments or potential problems with implementation.
• Demonstrates commitment to the continuous improvement and advancing the achievement of higher education for New Haven youth.

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree and 4 years’ of related experience or 8 years’ experience.

- Demonstrated record of outstanding project management/performance management results.

- Strong analytical, technical and communication skills.

- Experience in working with diverse communities.

- Demonstrated competency in CSS, HTML, Adobe Creative Suite, jQuery and Javascript.

- Must also be skilled with Excel, Access, Word and PowerPoint.

- Strong attention to detail required.

Please submit letter of interest, resumes and other supportive document via email to jobs@newhavenpromise.org Applications accepted up to January 14, 2013.

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Summary

The Development Assistant is responsible for administrative support of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s comprehensive year-round fundraising program. The position reports to the Development Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide administrative support for all fundraising activities; General office support, maintain records, acknowledge donor gifts and prepare direct mailings. Assist in the completion of grant proposals. Fulfill donor benefits. Assist in the production of fundraising materials.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Strong commitment to fundraising ethics.
• Ability to learn database management tools such as Raiser’s Edge.
• Superb communication skills, both written and oral.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Enthusiasm for working collaboratively with a dedicated team.

Hours and Compensation

• Full-time position with benefits. Some evening/weekend hours required. Positive and flexible team environment. Salary commensurate with experience.

New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s
Through its live performances of classical music and education programs, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra aspires to exceed expectations, unite communities, challenge, delight, and inspire. We change lives, for the better.

How to Apply
Learn more at www.NewHavenSymphony.org. 

Submit a resume and cover letter to:

Development Assistant Search, New Haven Symphony Orchestra
105 Court Street, Suite 302, New Haven, CT 06511
ecarroll@NewHavenSymphony.org

Reports To:  Director of Grants and Scholarships

Position Summary:

This position supports the Foundation’s scholarship program, the neighborhood leadership training and grantmaking program as well as other responsibilities as assigned.

Core Responsibilities:

•  The AA will be part of, and support, a team of grantmaking professionals in the execution of department goals;

•  The AA will provide service to multiple Foundation audiences and communicate through various methods, including phone, email, and written communications;

•  The AA will support internal and external meetings and events, including scheduling, attending, providing logistics, managing reservations, and recording, as required;

•  The AA will use state of the art technologies, including data entry into The Foundation’s relational database, FIMS;

•  The AA will be called upon for collaboration with all Foundation staff members;

•  The AA will be assigned special projects;

•  The AA will support the reception area,  as needed;

•  The AA will provide administrative support, as needed.

The Ideal Candidate will have the following qualifications:

•  Demonstrated administrative and data entry skills and highly skilled in technology and office software including; Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel;

•  College degree;

•  Demonstrated experience working in a fast-paced environment, with positive customer service expectations and with diverse populations;

•  Individual should be self-directed and a team player; 

•  Attention to detail, ability to track schedules, organize meetings, generate reports, and produce presentations;

•  Demonstrated ability to direct and participate in teams;

•  A commitment to an inclusive environment;

•  Excellent written and oral communication skills;

•  Superior organizational skills and eagerness to multitask.

Please submit letters of interest/resumes and other supportive documents to jobsearch@cfgnh.org by December 3, 2012.

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, the region's largest grantmaker and permanent charitable endowment, is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Administrative Assistant (AA) for the Grantmaking and Strategy Department.  The Community Foundation’s mission is to create positive and sustainable change in Greater New Haven by increasing the amount of and enhancing the impact of community philanthropy.  The deadline for applications is December 3, 2012.

The Ideal Candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Strong research and analytical skills, critical thinking skills;
• Ability to write clear, succinct, cohesive reports;
• Ability to make well-organized verbal presentations;
• Passion for Greater New Haven a plus;
• Demonstrated experience working in a fast-paced environment, with positive

customer service expectations and with diverse populations and sense of community;

• Individual should be self-directed and a team player;
• Demonstrated ability to direct and participate in teams;
• A commitment to an inclusive environment;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Superior organizational skills and eagerness to multitask;
• Knowledgeable in excel, database software and data analysis tools;
• Although  this is a junior position, a Masters Degree or several years professional experience preferred

Please submit letters of interest, resumes and other supportive documents via email to

jobsearch@cfgnh.org by Friday November 9, 2012.

HAVE YOU HAD ENOUGH OF TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES??

ARE YOU READY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THEM?

ARE YOU READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE????

Christian Community Action, Inc.’s

Advocacy & Education Project

invite you to join 

 Parent Leadership Training Institute

Please visit www.plti-ct.org for more information

Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI)

trains, inspires and empowers parents and

others who care about children to become

effective advocates for children.

It is a statewide initiative created to improve the lifelong health, safety, and learning of Connecticut’s children by helping you develop the leadership skills to make real change-in schools, communities and state and local governments.

The program begins with a Saturday, January 2013 retreat.  Classes will be held for 18 weeks Tuesday evenings at a New Haven location TBD. Children ages 5-12 may attend the on-site Children’s Leadership Training Institute. There is NO COST for the program. Family dinner provided.

For more information or to schedule an interview,

contact, Merryl Eaton (203) 676- 3110

merryleaton@ccahelping.org

Below is the list of ideas shared at "Be the change YOU want to see in New Haven: Crowdsourcing, Philanthropy & Getting it Done." You can also see the ideas posted in the front window at The Grove, 71 Orange St. New Haven.

If you offered up an idea at the gathering and do not see your idea on this list, we did not get it. If you did not attend the meeting and one of these ideas interests you, please write to me at lcruz@cfgnh.org and I'll connect you with the person who proposed the project.

During the next week, we'll post the five projects we’ve prioritized on See Click Fix and on this blog. The factors considered in the selection of these priority projects include the following:

1. Motivation of the project initiator
2. Our sense of the project as something to which we can add value
3. Feasibility of completion of the project or some major milestone within 1 year

Projects not selected are no less worthy. We just don't think we can help as much, right now. Our focus is on getting five things done. For these five projects, Ben, Slate and I commit to helping raising money, providing space for meetings, and facilitating contacts with people who can help. However, as we mentioned in the meeting, these are your respective projects; they must be driven to completion by you.

Remember that if your project involves a public space or anything that local city officials or the general public should know about, post it on See Click Fix. The fact that you are willing to step up to address an issue does not mean that there should not be public documentation. Posting the issue might get you an alert that there is already a plan to address the issue, help with coordination of efforts, and get you collaborators and/or donations.

Thank you to The Grove – a new kind of social space for providing the initial meeting location.

If you are inspired to donate time or money to ANY of these ideas, please write to me at lcruz@cfgnh.org so that I can connect you with the project initiator. The proposed projects, in no particular order:

Toy LibraryA resource bank for all parents to borrow toys for all types of kids. In many other cities. National association may help.A safe bike lane system on the curbside of parking spacesA space for small scale production and innovation by building thingsNHV.org for/by local peopleLa Feria To express arts, music, poetry, food, crafts, “noches de troua” etc. for Latino community cultureMany youth-serving non-profits collaborating to transform our neighborhoods into a safe, vibrant city…and leveraging some serious $$$Anti-blight / renters educationNext step for people after halfway housesStreetcar advocacy groupExpressYourPurpose.comFor all of New Haven and its inhabitants to be plugged in to its highest potential and purpose2nd NHV InsideOut in Fair Haven, Middletown & Front Street

- A space for small scale production and innovation by building things
NHV.org for/by local people

- La Feria 

To express arts, music, poetry, food, crafts, “noches de troua” etc. for Latino community culture

- Anti-blight / renters education

- Streetcar advocacy group

ExpressYourPurpose.com

For all of New Haven and its inhabitants to be plugged in to its highest potential and purpose

- 2nd NHV InsideOut in Fair Haven, Middletown & Front Street

The New Haven Symphony is looking for a Development Director to join its team.  The Development Director is responsible for building the capacity of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra by overseeing a comprehensive year-round fundraising program. A member of the senior management team reporting to the Executive Director, the Development Director plans, implements, manages, and evaluates all fundraising activities related to maintaining and growing earned income to ensure the financial stability of the NHSO. Full time, competitive salary and benefits.   Details at http://www.newhavensymphony.org/page/employment-144.htm  Elaine Carroll, Executive Director, ecarroll@NewHavenSymphony.org

This white paper will examine the role social media can play in presenting a more strategic view of customer data and how the right combination of technologies can deliver insight to help companies more effectively meet perpetually shifting consumer demands expressed through, and influenced by, these dynamic communication channels. We will look at the implications for marketing and sales, but also IT. And we will consider how and why social media tools and applications can be integrated with existing technology investments.

Social Media Analytics: Making Customer Insights Actionable

Source credit: IBM Business Analytics

On November 8, 2012, The Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund will recognize the contributions of three local community leaders at our annual Good Egg Celebration.

The Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund is a 501(c)3 CDFI (nonprofit, community development financial institution). Want to know more about what CDFIs do? Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht6VzuLt65U

We need your help and the help of local businesses and restaurants to make this event a success. Hoping to make this year's silent auction the best yet. Additionally, we are seeking program ads and sponsorships. Want to contribute? Contact me (Brianna Gavigan) at 203-789-8690 x125. Thanks!

Connecticut Voices for Children is a research-based children’s advocacy organization that works on the state, local, and national level to promote the well-being of Connecticut’s most vulnerable children and youth. Connecticut Voices staff come from a wide range of fields --- law, nursing, social work, demography, public health, education and business – and use a multi-disciplinary approach to work on leading children’s rights issues in the fields of health care, early care, K-12 education, tax and budget policy, child welfare, juvenile justice, and family economic security.  Connecticut Voices is widely recognized for its in-depth, data-driven policy analyses, its extensive research and data reports, its effective legislative and administrative advocacy campaigns and its unique expertise in analyzing the impact of economic trends and state tax and budget systems on Connecticut’s children.  Policymakers, the media, professionals in child-related fields, advocates, and concerned citizens frequently turn to Voices for research, analysis, and technical assistance, as well as for creative new ideas for tackling difficult public policy questions.   

Connecticut Voices for Children seeks a half-time senior-level staff member (“Senior Policy Fellow”) to lead Voices’ child welfare and juvenile justice policy work, in partnership with other senior staff.  Successful candidates must have excellent research, writing, quantitative and analytical skills; outstanding interpersonal and leadership skills, including the ability to build and maintain coalitions; a keen understanding of the policy-making process; the ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences; the ability to work independently and in teams and to manage and mentor junior staff; a commitment to data-driven, research-based, independent, open-minded, and objective analysis; and a passion to work intensely to promote educational opportunity for Connecticut’s most at-risk children and youth. 

Successful candidates should have a minimum of 5-7 years of relevant work experience and a graduate degree in a related field (law, education, business, public policy, economics, etc).  In exceptional cases, candidates without graduate degrees but with records of unusually strong work experience and undergraduate academic achievement will be considered.  Successful candidates should have a strong background in child welfare and/or juvenile justice policy; however, Voices remains open to exceptionally well-qualified individuals who have demonstrated unusual mastery and success in related fields and who can demonstrate commitment to devoting the next stage of their career to child welfare and juvenile justice policy and advocacy.

CT Voices is committed to equal employment opportunity.

Interested candidates should submit the following: cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, transcripts from undergraduate and graduate programs (unofficial transcripts permitted), a writing sample of 5-10 pages, and four references.  Candidates selected for an interview may be asked to provide a portfolio of past work, and/or additional references.  All inquiries should be sent to Claire Morduch at cmorduch@ctvoices.org by September 30, 2012.  No phone inquiries please.  For more information about Connecticut Voices for Children, please visit us at www.ctvoices.org.

Major Responsibilities

1. In consultation with Executive Director and staff, determine research priorities consistent with emerging      legislative and administrative advocacy priorities.
2. Play a leadership role in the collection, analysis, reporting and dissemination of data (both qualitative and quantitative), best practices, and highest quality academic and policy research, in child welfare and juvenile justice.
3. Lead Connecticut Voices’ legislative and administrative advocacy campaigns, alone and in conjunction with      partners.
4. Build and strengthen partnerships and collaborations with community providers and schools.
5. Build and strengthen partnerships and collaborations with colleagues in other organizations working on child      welfare and juvenile justice issues, in conjunction with other staff.
6. Assist in identifying new funding sources for this work, and in preparing grant applications and grant reports.
7. Along with other senior fellows, manage, evaluate, and mentor junior policy fellows.
8. Direct Connecticut Voices’ efforts to promote youth engagement in the public policy process for young people involved in the child welfare system, including supervising Voices’ collaboration with the Department of Children and Families Youth Advisory Boards.

The first opportunity is a chance to create an installation inside of an empty New Haven Register delivery truck. Two of these delivery trucks will be parked directly outside the entrance to the Register building during the Alternative Space weekend of City-Wide Open Studios. Two artists will be awarded this opportunity, one for each truck.

To learn more about this opportuntiy, and see images of the truck, please visit www.artspacenh.org/exhibitions/nhregtruck

The second opportunity is a chance to create a sturdy wire, scrim or fabric screen to wrap a 182 linear foot railing on the upper catwalk of the printing room of the New Haven Register. This is a chance to show your work to thousands of people while you help Artspace promote the safety of Open Studios visitors.

To learn more about this opportunity, and see images of the railing, please visit www.artspacenh.org/exhibitions/railingwrapper

To learn more about City-Wide Open Studios, please check out www.CWOS.org

WE ARE NEWLY FORMED JR DRILL TEAM AGES 7-12, SRS ARE 13-18.  WE HAVE WON SIX TROPHIES SINCE WE STARTED LAST YEAR.  OUR TEAM IS EXPANDING AT A RAPID RATE AND OUR TEAM DIRECTOR HAS TO TRANSPORT THE MEMBERS OF THE TEAM AND OUR DRUMS TO PRACTICE 3 DAYS PER WEEK.  HER VAN ONLY HOLDS 7 PEOPLE, BUT SHE FILLS IT UP.  SO WE NEED A DONATION OF A GENTLY USED 15 PASSENGER VAN.  WE ARE A NON-PROFIT SO IT WILL BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.  CALL 203 346-8455  IF YOU CAN HELP US

You a great cook\baker but not making money because you don't have Commercial Kitchen. Solution New Haven Kitchen. 

Meetings for New Haven's Kitchen

The Rotary Club of New Haven participated in the Open World Program this past November hosting a delegation of high-level Ukrainian judges. The club is again considering participation in another effort this coming October.

The Open World Program is a Congressional sponsored program that brings emerging leaders from Russia, Ukraine, and other Eurasian states (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Georgia and Moldova) to the United States in order to give them firsthand exposure to the American system of participatory democracy and free enterprise.

 This year the club is weighing a opportunity of hosting five court administrators (plus one facilitator) from Moldova (formerly Romania) from October 13-20, 2012. A critical component in the club’s final decision is if it can find six host families who will open up their home for the 7 day period.

 Anyone who is interested in more information about being a host family should contact past-president, New Haven Rotarian/Attorney Ron Osach. His email address is rosach@so-law.com.

As part of the Clergy Ambassador Program, we will be hosting a week of miscellaneous events to bridge the gap between the church and the community. Events include Emergency Medical Services Orientation, Financial workshop, Interviewing and Resume Writing, Community Mediation Session, and  Medical Screeening...all free of charge...../Click for List of Events