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

Urban Strategies Council’s Community Capacity Building Institute:

http://www.urbanstrategies.org/programs/commblding/index.php

Mission: to eliminate persistent poverty by working with partners to transform low-income neighborhoods into vibrant, healthy communities

information provided by --

Mark Abraham

Executive Director

DataHaven

(203) 500-7059

mark@ctdatahaven.org

http://www.ctdatahaven.org/ is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving the Greater New Haven and Valley Region by compiling and sharing high-quality public information for effective decision making.

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.

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

Job Description

Assist teachers with curriculum planning and implementation, classroom management, in a preschool nonprofit setting.

Skills

Warm nurturing personality, Child Development Associate credential plus 3 credits in early childhood education.

Company Description

TEAM is a regional nonprofit agency committed to improving the self-sufficiency of economically and socially vulnerable families and residents of the lower Naugatuck-Housatonic Valley region.

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.

Connecticut Commission for Child Support Guidelines is in the process of reviewing the state's guidelines to determine how much financial support a non-custodial parent should pay the custodial parent. The commission is seeking public comments, which provides us with the opportunity to offer our perspective on the child support guidelines. The survey for public comments is at: http://www.ctdss.net/cssurvey/

The Connecticut Housing Coalition, the state's leading membership organization for affordable housing, is seeking an Executive Director. The Coalition, which has six staff members and an annual budget of $750,000, is comprised of more than 250 member organizations - including nonprofit housing developers, resident groups, housing services agencies, and diverse other housing advocates and practitioners. The Executive Director is hired by and responsible to the Board of Directors. The Coalition is looking for a highly talented and qualified person with substantial housing knowledge and management skills, who will be a committed advocate for affordable housing in Connecticut.

Responsibilities:

· Develop long-range strategies and annual work plans to achieve the organization's mission, in consultation with and subject to the approval of the Board;

· Have broad responsibility for the management of the organization's operations;

· Hire and supervise staff;

· Promote the active participation of the membership and other housing constituencies in public policy development, grassroots advocacy and organizational programs;

· Support the empowerment of residents and those in need of affordable housing;

· Provide leadership in the implementation of programs and services - including information dissemination, member working groups, technical assistance, trainings and conferences;

· Provide leadership in advocating affordable housing policy - with audiences including legislators, agency officials, other organizations, the media and the general public;

· Oversee the organization's financial management;

· Plan and implement fundraising strategies to provide for organizational stability and growth.

Qualifications

· Hard working and dedicated to the mission and goals of the organization;

· Passionate commitment to the cause of affordable housing, community development and resident empowerment;

· Proven leadership in developing and executing programmatic, organizational and financial plans with a board of directors;

· Dynamic and effective inter-personal skills;

· Ability to foster inclusion and cohesion among a diverse membership and staff;

· Extensive knowledge of the affordable housing field and public policy-making;

· Significant experience in nonprofit management and fundraising;

· Excellent written and oral communications skills.

Salary: Competitive salary plus excellent benefits.