Blogs

This post is made on behalf of Ron Cretaro, Executive Director of Connecticut Association of Nonprofits, Inc. You may contact Ron at rcretaro@ctnonprofits.org to discuss it further.

Nonprofits & the Promise of Dan Malloy

by Ron Cretaro

In  March, 2000, at the urging of Patrick McAuliffe*, then Executive Director of CT Renaissance, and the assistance of the office of then Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy, more than 150 local nonprofits gathered at the Rich Forum in Stamford sponsored by CT Association of Nonprofits (CT Nonprofits) and the Fairfield County Community Foundation.  Mayor Malloy had invited the Mayors and First Selectmen from surrounding Fairfield County towns to join us as well as then Congressman Christopher Shays and Rick Hobish, CEO of Pro Bono Partnership.  For Connecticut Nonprofits, we had only recently changed our mission and name and were eager to introduce ourselves to a greater cross-section of nonprofits in Fairfield County.  While I do not specifically remember every word uttered that day, I do distinctly recall the genuine value and appreciation of nonprofits articulated by the Stamford Mayor.

In 2002, at the request the CT Nonprofits, Mayor Malloy joined Hartford Mayor Perez in issuing a joint Letter to the Editor during the holiday season lauding the efforts of nonprofits and the role they play in our communities.  The letter was published both in the Hartford Courant and Stamford Advocate.

Then in 2003, the CT Nonprofits Annual Conference featured James Carville, consultant and advisor to former President Bill Clinton.  Little noted was the afternoon speaker, Stamford’s Mayor who spoke on the relationship between nonprofits and municipalities. A number of towns under fiscal stress in Connecticut had attempted to compel nonprofits to pay property taxes where previously exempt. Mayor Malloy had held fast in Stamford on behalf of nonprofit organizations.

Fast forward to 2008, again Ct Nonprofits Annual Conference was keynoted once more by Stamford’s longest serving Mayor Dan Malloy. Mayor Malloy had established an impressive record of making Stamford into a flourishing city while engaging nonprofits in the process. Among the initiatives nonprofits found themselves partnering with local government included affordable housing, charter schools, early childhood education, senior/elderly services, substance abuse treatment & prevention, the arts and culture, among others.

So what can nonprofits expect from a Malloy administration One of the first policy statements issued by the Governor-Elect, even prior to his official campaign announcement for Governor in 2009, was related to health & human service nonprofits and particularly those that contract with State government. Recently, six nonprofit & philantrhopic leaders, all but one a member of CT Nonprofits, were appointed to either the Transition team or Policy Work Group chairs. In addition, all of CT Nonprofits member Executives have been sent an invitation to the Swearing In Ceremony of our new Governor at the State Armory on Wednesday by the Malloy Inaugural Committee. Further, within the past week two nonprofit Executives have been selected to be Commissioners in the newly formed Cabinet.  We may see others.

The Malloy family including the Governor-Elect’s brother, a local insurance agent, sister-in-law and other family members have been or continue to be either employees or board members of local nonprofits. The First Lady-in-waiting has been an Executive of a nonprofit sexual assault crisis & counseling program for more than a decade.

The challenges facing a new Malloy administration are daunting, not withstanding having to balance a budget projected to be $3.5 billion out of balance.  Connecticut is the state with the highest per capita budget deficit in the nation. Governor-Elect Malloy has promised that he will protect the safety net and he has mentioned that all tax expenditures or exemptions are on the table except for charities and education. He has also stated that the budget will not be balanced solely on spending cuts and that he will entertain new revenues. Yet, invariably with expectations held high by the nonprofit community, there will be disappointment. Yet, if the past is prologue, nonprofits will have a prominent role in creating solutions.

Nonprofits, regardless, will continue to do the heavy lifting in keeping our communities safe, healthy, and whole.  They will do more with less for a while longer but not indefinitely. Nonetheless, nonprofits will feel like there will be someone in the Governor’s office who will be attentive to their issues and concerns.  Someone who has spent a career learning about them, understanding them and supporting them.

*Patrick McAulliffe, the Executive Director of Connecticut Renaissance died in 2008.

Thank You New CT Nonprofits Members

New members joined between Jan 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010

A Better Way Foundation ● Achieve Hartford! ● Ash Creek Conservation Association, Inc. ● Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition ● Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust, Inc. ● Children's Educational Opportunity Foundation of Connecticut, Inc. ● Community Action Agency of New Haven ● Connecticut Bar Association ● Creative Living Community of Connecticut ● CT News Project, Inc. ● Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County ● Durham Volunteer Ambulance Corp ● East Haddam Youth & Family Services ● Fairfield County Chorale, Inc. ● Foundation for the Advancement of Catholic Schools ● Generations Family Health Center, Inc. ● Green Street Arts Center of Wesleyan University ● Greenwoods Counseling Referrals, Inc. ● Hartford Communities That Care ● Hartford Food System ● Hartford Stage Company, Inc. ● Home To Home Foundation Inc ● Horizons National Student Enrichment Program ● Hudson Country Montessori School ● Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk, Inc ● Justice Resource Institute ● Klingberg Family Centers ● Little Hearts, Inc. ● Love146, Inc. ● May Institute, Inc. ● NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut Foundation ● New Connections, Inc. ● Public Library of New London ● S.W.E.E.T Potato Society, Inc ● The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling & Education ● The Exchange Club Center for Prevention of Child Abuse of Southern CT, Inc. ● The Intensive Education Academy, Inc. ● United Action Connecticut, Inc. ● Vision of Faith Outreach Ministry Inc ● West Haven Emergency Assistance  Taskforce ● Women's Mentoring Network, Inc.

Balancing budget, meeting needs of poor will tax Malloy

Read a recent New London Day article by Ted Mann

http://www.theday.com/article/20101226/NWS12/312269860/1018

 “What we have before us are some breathtaking opportunities disguised as insoluble problems”.

                     John W. Gardner

Welcome 2011!

DCA is seeking volunteers for the Tree Lighting on December 2 between the hours of 4-6pm. Interested individuals should contactkfutrell@newhavenct.net for more details.

If you have an innovative media technology idea, you might be able to get funding from the Knight News Challenge contest.

Run by the Knight Foundation, the grant competition awards up to $5 million annually for innovative projects that use digital technology to transform the way communities send, receive and make use of news and information.

More info can be found here: http://newschallenge.org. The site includes application information, as well as details about past winners.

This year's application deadline is December 1. The News Challenge is looking for applications in four categories: mobile, authenticity, sustainability and community. All projects must make use of digital technology to distribute news in the public interest.

The contest is open to anyone in the world.

A simple description of the project is all you need to apply. Submit a brief pitch to http://newschallenge.org. If the reviewers like it, you'll be asked to submit a full proposal later.

If you have questions you can a) reference the FAQ: http://www.newschallenge.org/frequently-asked-questions, or; b) check the archived chat transcript here: http://www.newschallenge.org/1026-live (another live chat will be held before the end of the contest period, time/date TBD)

You can follow Knight Foundation at http://twitter.com/knightfdn. The News Challenge Twitter hashtag is #knc

The city has an offer for freshmen in its public high schools: Keep up good grades and stay in school, and you’ll get a full ride to a state college or university.

That’s part of a new “Promise” the city unveiled Tuesday as part of its ambitious school reform drive.

It will pay up to 25 percent of the tuition for qualifying seniors who go on to public colleges or universities in Connecticut next year; up to 50 percent for the class after that, up to 75 percent for the following class; and up to 100 percent for the Class of 2014. Then funders will decide whether to continue the program.

Yale University has pledged up to $4 million per year to fund the new college tuition program, called New Haven Promise, according to Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. The program will be available to New Haven residents who attend public schools, with some conditions. Yale has committed to fund the program for an initial eight years as it is phased in for the four classes of current high school students; the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven will pay for the employees to administer the fund.

The United Illuminating Company, in partnership with the Energy Efficiency Fund, is looking for UI customers to participate in the Home Energy Reports program.

How it works: As part of the Home Energy Reports program, you will receive a monthly energy report for 1 year with the following features:

* A comparison of your electricity use from one year ago,

* A comparison of your electricity use with other households with similar housing and occupancy attributes,

* Suggestions for do-it-yourself energy-saving home improvements,

* Programs available from the Energy Efficiency Fund, and

* An interactive website where you can learn more about home energy efficiency and conservation.

Who is eligible? UI customers who reside within the UI service territory are eligible. All types of homes (single family, multi-family, apartment, etc) are eligible.

How much does it cost? This free program is available to the first 6,000 UI customers who sign up. The Home Energy Report program is funded by the Energy Efficiency Fund and administered by UI.

How do I sign up? Please email the name on your UI account and your home address to EnergyReports@uinet.com — we’ll take care of the rest.

For more information, see the attached PDF or contact Kirsten Brooks at x2660.

energyreports.pdf

Thirty nonprofit organizations will have the opportunity (first come first serve) to display information on a 2 foot x 2 foot square about what your organization is doing in the community.

Laptops will be set up in the storefront for online giving through Give Greater, The United Way, and participating nonprofit websites. "I Love Greater New Haven Nonprofit" cards will also be available for those who donate to a participating nonprofit. In exchange for this opportunity we are asking all participants to commit to staffing the space for 2 three hour shifts. During your shifts you will have access to high speed wireless internet through The Grove as well as coffee and tea. Staffing the project is also a great way to connect with people who come into the store.

Project is scheduled to launch on November 18, to be open 11am-8pm Wednesday through Saturday through December 31. Please commit by November 5 and have your 2x2 square to us by November 12.

Location: 71 Orange St., with approximately 350 sq ft. The sidewalk traffic for the space is about 15-20 persons per hour, heaviest during lunch and dinner hours.

The holiday storefront is a collaboration between The Grove, Project Storefronts, The I love Greater New Haven Nonprofits Campaign, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, and regional nonprofits.

sign up using the form Linked here. Remember space is limited.

For more information contact Slate Ballard, slate@groundworksonline.com

Based on the work of Bridge to Success, Waterbury’s collaborative effort to coor­dinate and improve chil­dren and youth development efforts, Waterbury has been named one of the nation’s 100 Best Communities for Young People by America’s Promise Alliance and ING, a global financial services company. Waterbury was named one of the 100 Best because of the comprehensive plan, Bridge to Success — Preparing Waterbury Youth for Life: A Birth to 21 Initiative, developed by stake­holders from all sec­tors in Waterbury Bridge to Success is a merger of two com­munity efforts: a plan­ning group that developed a childhood blueprint for children ages birth-8 and the Water­bury Prevention Policy Board that worked on issues facing youth ages 5-18. Waterbury is the only city in Con­necticut that has one plan addressing the needs of children and youth from birth to 21.

Initial funding for the childhood blueprint was provided by the Con­necticut Community Foundation, Unit­ed Way of Greater Waterbury, William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund and the state Department of Education.

Bridge to Success has now created five focus areas, each with a commit­tee of parent, school and youth non­profit representatives. Family Engagement is supporting families, especially in these difficult economic times, through the creation of Neigh­borhood Family Hubs.

With the assistance of Connecticut Community Foundation, Catholic Family Charities has opened a Family Center in Waterbury that helped over 1,700 individuals learn about federal, state and local community resources for which they were eligible including child care, food stamps and health care.

Child Health & Development is as­sisting in the implementation of a new ChildFirst project in Waterbury that provides home-based intervention and support for at risk children and fami­lies.

Early Care & Education focuses on access to high quality early education for all children.

Under Positive Youth Development, Bridge to Success has surveyed the as­sets of sixth-, ninth­and 12th-graders in Waterbury in such areas as family sup­port, community service, constructive use of time and com­mitment to learning. Staff at youth or­ganizations are being trained to develop these assets among our youth.

Workforce Development is concen­trating on linking potential employers with summer and after school youth employment programs.

With the framework now in place, Bridge to Success expects to make great strides in developing its projects and bringing new resources to the city. Already Bridge to Success has brought in $5.2 million primarily for after­school programs since 2007. Over 200 Waterbury residents who were sur­veyed listed programs for out-of­school time as the biggest issue that needed to be addressed for youth in Waterbury.

For more information on Bridge to Success, call 203-574-0040 or email di­rector@waterburybridgetosuccess.org Ingrid Manning is the chief execu­tive officer of Connecticut Community Foundation. She can be reached at (203)753-1315 or at info@conncf.org

Copyright (c) 2010 Republican-American 11/03/2010

The New Haven Symphony Orchestra is offering free tickets to the unemployed and their families. Can you help us spread the word? If your agency provides services to the unemployed, please let us know and we would be happy to include you in our FREE ticket program.

Tickets are available on request to these upcoming events:

Big Band Salute Swing and Sing as the NHSO Pops salutes the jazz era with favorites
by Gershwin, Mercer and a Judy Garland Tribute

Sat, Oct 9 @ 2:30 pm Hamden Middle School

Sat, Oct 9 @ 8:00 pm Saxe Middle School, New Canaan

Italian Flair Experience the Italian brilliance of Schumann, Martucci and Brahms

Thur, Oct 21 @ 7:30 Woolsey Hall, New Haven

Sun, Oct 24 @ 3:00 Shelton Intermediate School

Kavafian Plays Mozart Hear Daylight Divine, a Scottish Symphony and a Mozart violin concerto with a wild Turkish finale

Thur, Dec 2 @ 7:30 Woolsey Hall, New Haven

Sun, Dec 5 @ 3:00 Shelton Intermediate School

Thanks for your consideration! Elaine Carroll, Director of Development

11/18/2010 - 6:00pm - 10:00pm

• To sponsor a tent contact Lynn Lyons: 203-946-7907
• To make a donation to tent city, click here
• For more information about the event, click here

Every woman, child or family that has lost a home or needed shelter has a story to tell and this year we want to make sure their stories are heard. On Thursday, November 18, 2010 from 6pm-10pm, the City of New Haven’s Community Services Administration in partnership with New Haven agencies will be hosting its annual homeless awareness campaign and fundraiser, Tent City on the Green, to benefit the increasing number of women, youth and families requiring shelter.

Area organizations, groups and city departments are being asked to support the cause by raising money to pitch a tent on the green. Each group is being asked to raise money to sponsor a tent. The goal is to have at least 25 tents pitched with a fundraising goal of $1,000 or more for each tent, with recognition of your donation. However, donations of any amount are welcome. A $250 donation will provide a sign with your name or group's name placed on the Green with recognition of your donation. In addition, the CT Foodbank will also be on site to receive non-perishable food item donations as part of the event.

You can donate online (see above) or write a check to "United Way" with “Tent City 2010” written in the memo line of the check. Checks should be mailed to Dr. Chisara N. Asomugha, Community Services Administrator, City Hall, 165 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06510. No cash will be exchanged on the Green; however, a city employee will accept donations in the atrium of City Hall that evening.

Food and entertainment will be provided throughout the evening.

“The power to end homelessness is within our city halls, places of worship, and community organizations. To end homelessness we must mobilize the power.”

--CT Coalition to End Homelessness

This information provided by the United Way of Greater New Haven.

092310 Letter to Members of Congress.pdf

Complements of the Office of Rosa De Lauro attached please find a letter from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius highlighting the important protections and benefits in the Affordable Care Act that take effect today, September 23, 2010, on the law’s six-month anniversary. Secretary Sebelius has also provided a snapshot of what has been accomplished since passage of the Affordable Care Act.

For ease of reference, below are the links to the materials referenced in the letter:

· Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan: Download brochures and posters on this program at http://www.HealthCare.gov/center/brochures/index.html. Help your constituents find out where to go to take advantage of this important new program.

· Early Retiree Reinsurance Program: Already, more than 2,700 businesses, unions, non-profits, and State and local governments have been accepted into this program, representing every state in the nation. Find out how the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program is helping businesses and early retirees in your state at http://www.HealthCare.gov/news/factsheets/early_retiree_reinsurance_program.html

· CuidadoDeSalud.gov: All the information on the Affordable Care Act and through the health insurance finder is now available in Spanish at www.CuidadoDeSalud.gov.

· Health Insurance Finder Widget: Available in both English and Spanish to post to your website, this widget lets consumers answer two questions to start finding health insurance options available to them. Download the widget at http://www.HealthCare.gov/stay_connected.html.

Highwood Square…the cornerstone for Hamden’s revitalization program, is a newly developed project, offering a campus like setting within an artistically designed 3 building complex is slated for occupancy October 2010. This unique property will have 27 apartments and ample ground floor commercial space. This non residential space is available for rent now, and is being marketed to a wide array of artists, learning centers, art instructors, design professionals, photographers, creative gourmet and specialty food retailers, baker/coffee shop entrepreneurs, fitness and health conscious practitioners, businesses relocating to a more creative and relaxed environment, and more…

The space will be exciting and complimentary to serve the residents of Highwood Square and also serve the surrounding businesses workforce and the Hamden residential community. With the Farmington Canal Greenway located along the easterly side of the property, folks may enjoy a day of biking and walking along this scenic trail with a leisurely stop at Highwood Square for a light refreshment, chance to view current local artists work, moments to sit and relax under a shade tree or sun umbrella, and share interesting conversation with artists from Connecticut who enjoy the quality of life. Highwood Square will certainly be a pleasant surprise and enclave for those who like unique products and affordable prices, and also those who require an affordable home with available supportive services.

For more information contact Glori Lopez from NeighborWorks New Horizons at 203-562-4514 ext. 19

Career Resources a nationally recognized workforce development organization is seeking a VP of Planning and Development. This highly visible position, reports directly to the President/CEO and works closely with the management team and Board of Directors. This position will provide leadership in the areas of fund raising, grant development and marketing. Successful candidate will have a Bachelor's degree with a concentration in English, Journalism, Communications or related study; a minimum four years of professional non-profit experience; three years of progressively increasing responsibility as a development professional; experience in principal and major gift solicitation and event planning. Salary commensurate with experience.

Responses to:

Joe Rietano

Career Resources, Inc.

350 Fairfield Ave

Bridgeport, CT 06604

Rietano@careerresources.org

Did you know you can volunteer this winter and help give $5,000,000 to low-income families in New Haven? And you don’t have to donate or raise a cent from your friends and relatives.

Five million dollars. That’s our goal this year for refunds and tax credits that our volunteers
will generate by helping low-income families with their tax returns. If you
want to really make a difference in the
fight against poverty, join us by being a volunteer tax preparer or screener.
No experience necessary. You will be completely trained. The tax season is only
14 weeks long, and you only need to volunteer one night a week. Can you donate
your time to help those who struggle to put food on the table get the tax
credits they qualify for?

Please help low-income working families achieve financial stability. Please call us for more information or to apply. New Life
Corporation, 203-777-0313, or e-mail jim@newlifecorp.org.

Last Call...

Become an early adopter of giveGreater...

a free, online knowledge resource to increase local giving to your organization, and other nonprofits in our region.

Working with Guidestar, a trusted organization that compiles data from nonprofits across the country in one searchable database, The Community Foundation has created giveGreater to get as many nonprofits in our region in front of as many donors as possible.

All that's required of you is creating an organizational profile.

We know it can be difficult to find the time, so we're hosting five, 2-hour profile sessions at computer labs to help you create your profile. Just pick the date that works best for you.

Your profile will:

· increase your visibility and transparency to potential and existing donors;

· be searchable by name, geography or interest area;

· provide you with the capacity to receive online donations;

· increase the visibility of the issues with which your organization is most concerned.

Tues, Aug. 31st <only August date left, email us for September dates: giveGreater@cfgnh.org.

2:00-4:00 Valley Regional Adult Ed. Shelton

Take the first step toward attracting more support for your organization
this year, and forever

The International Festival of Arts & Ideas Fall 2010 is pleased to announce its Fall 2010 Fellowship program. The inaugural program was launched in January 2010, providing opportunities for high school juniors and seniors to develop their communication and leadership skills as they prepared to pursue college and/or enter the workforce.

The program combines instruction in critical writing, nonprofit management and various arts disciplines, with opportunities for job shadowing and hands-on work experience around Festival events. Fellows were also tasked with viewing various performances and exhibits and writing reviews which were posted on the Festival blog.

It is our belief that the arts contribute to the overall vitality and connectedness of our community and that exposure to the arts by our young people is especially critical to their future success. Each student that completes the program will receive a stipend of $500.

For more information about the Fellowship program and an application, visit http://www.artidea.org/view_page.php?id=84 or contact Dawn Gibson-Brehon, Fellowship Program Manager at 203.815.2926. Applications are being accepted online through September 3, 2010. Slots are limited and students will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

The Coop Center for Creativity seeks a Writing Workshop Leader to teach a 6-week after school course for public high school students. Inspired by the 826 Valencia national writing program (http://826national.org/) the CCC Writing Workshop will feature a project-based learning model that will result in the publishing of a limited edition book of student writing. The Writing Workshop Leader should possess the ability to creatively engage Coop students in strengthening their writing skills while instilling in them a passion for writing and self-expression. Program will begin in late October 2010 and meet 2x/week for six weeks. We seek candidates with demonstrated energy and enthusiasm for developing an engaging curriculum and teaching students of various abilities one-on-one and in a group setting. Graduate students, teachers, artists and professional writers welcome. Design/Layout experience a plus. Top candidates will be required to pass security checks.

About the Coop Center for Creativity: The Coop Center for Creativity (CCC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting Coop High School students in grades 9-12 to opportunities to learn from professional artists in various disciplines such as visual arts, graphic design and creative writing. The CCC is located in downtown New Haven, in the storefronts across from Cooperative Arts & Humanities Magnet High School.

Compensation: $1,250

How to Apply: Submit a resume, 3 writing samples, and cover letter to Andria Matthews at andriadmatthews@gmail.com no later than Friday, August 27, 2010.