The Kaleidoscope of Our Region - Hartford Foundation for Public

News from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
The Kaleidoscope of Our Region
O C T O B E R
2 0 1 4
Message from Linda J. Kelly, President
The greater Hartford region offers great richness of
diversity, a kaleidoscope of cultures, beliefs, and challenges
that make this one of the most interesting regions of the
state. We are filled with people who are willing to step up,
break new ground and support innovation.
In this issue of Conversations, there are stories of
courage, generosity, and learning — wonderful examples of
what makes this area so unique. The new education leader
in Hartford outlines her hopes and aspirations for the
district, pledging to be an “equity warrior” on behalf of all
the children of the city. A son finds a way to smooth the
“...once the kids start to see insects and the other little
things that run the world—they will be forever changed.”
See story on page 4
(CONTINUED ON BACK)
What’s Inside
2 Hartford’s New Superintendent
4 Biodiversity Camp
6 Celebrating Black Philanthropy
8 Giving with Ease
9 New Funds & Planned Gifts
10 Snapshots
11 Inside Hartford Foundation
PHOTO: JAKE KOTEEN
FEATURE STORY
Meet Hartford’s New Superintendent
On the cover:
A student at the 2014
Biodiversity Camp
The words “bold” and “innovative” may not be
synonymous with Hartford’s schools for those who
aren’t paying attention. But Beth Schiavino-Narvaez
has taken a magnifying glass to what’s working in the
school system, and it’s the reason she said yes when
the Hartford Board of Education asked her this year if
she wanted the most powerful—and high-pressure—
education job in the city of Hartford.
“This is an innovative system that has taken a bold
approach in trying to improve outcomes for kids,” said
the vivacious yet measured former Peace Corps
volunteer and Fulbright scholar as she spoke recently
in her office in the former G. Fox building on Main
Street, walls of glass showing the city and the river
unfolding before her.
Hartford’s new superintendent of schools has
amassed a team of like-minded educators and
educational authorities for her transition
team, what she calls “equity warriors,” in
the Herculean effort to guarantee a
quality education for every child who
attends public school in the city.
“I am not somebody interested in
the status quo,” she said. “I’m here
because I don’t shy away from challenge.
To get that consistent level of
performance—no one in the country
has been able to do this yet.”
Equity was at the core of her
PHOTO: JAKE KOTEEN
training in the Urban Superintendents
Program at Harvard University. Her most recent
position, as a deputy superintendent in Maryland,
helped her hone her skills. The superintendent also is
known as a community builder, good news to the
Hartford Foundation as it invests increased resources
into developing parent, community and school
partnerships.
Her motto is: “Every student in every school
thriving,” she said. Community and parent partnerships
have worked for her in the past, from her beginnings
as a seventh-grade English teacher in her home state
of Pennsylvania to elementary and middle school
principalships in Pittsfield, Mass.
She has asked her transition team to review five
areas: teaching and learning, organizational leadership,
operational efficiencies, equity, and family and
community engagement. And she has met with hundreds
of stakeholders throughout the Hartford area to hear
their concerns and answer their questions.
Hartford Public Schools Superintendent
Beth Schiavino-Narvaez
PHOTO: JAKE KOTEEN
2
“Conversations” — October 2014
Superintendent Narvaez’s Transition Team
consists of national, state and local experts:
‘‘
‘‘
This is an innovative system that
Larry Leverett, Chair
Executive Director,
Panasonic Foundation
Jennifer Allen, Co-Chair,
Organizational Culture
and Leadership
Chief Talent Officer,
Hartford Public Schools
Andres Alonso, Co-Chair,
Operational Effectiveness
and Efficiency
Professor of Practice, Harvard Graduate
School of Education
has taken a bold approach in trying
to improve outcomes for kids.
Schiavino-Narvaez was, she said, “quite frankly
blown away by the generosity of the Hartford
community and partners, and I’m very grateful and
eager to mine the expertise and commitment and
funding to reach our goals in very focused ways. One
of the reasons I’m here is that I’m looking forward to
mining that considerable strength in the city and the
school system.”
She has a full plate, and a determination to make
her story in Hartford long and successful.
“Whenever you talk to kids who have beaten
the odds, who have graduated and gone on to be
successful, you ask, ‘what was the difference?’ They
always point to that one adult who knew them,
connected with them, pushed them, set high
expectations and was also there,” she said. “My plea,
my charge, my request of all our partners, is to really
make that happen.”
Paula Altieri, Co-Chair,
Operational Effectiveness and Efficiency
Chief Financial Officer,
Hartford Public Schools
Richard Lemons, Co-Chair,
Teaching and Learning
Deputy Director, Connecticut
Center for School Change
Gislaine Ngounou, Co-Chair,
Family and Community Engagement
Chief of Staff, Hartford Public Schools
Sheryl Petty, Communications,
Documentation, Editor
Principal Associate, Annenberg Institute
for School Reform,
Brown University
Enid Rey, Co-Chair, Equity
(Choice Process, Special Education,
English Language Learners)
Director, Office of Schools Choice
Kelvin Roldán, Co-Chair,
Family and Community Engagement
and Chair District Liaison
Chief Institutional Advancement Officer,
Hartford Public Schools
Maree Sneed, Team Leader, Equity
(Choice Process, Special Education
and English Language Learners)
Partner, Hogan Lovells
Jonathan Swan, Co-Chair,
Teaching and Learning
Deputy Chief Portfolio Officer,
Hartford Public Schools
Robert M. Villanova, Co-Chair,
Organizational Culture and Leadership
Associate Professor and Director of
the Executive Leadership Program,
Neag School of Education,
University of Connecticut
She has asked her transition team to review five areas:
teaching and learning, organizational leadership, operational
efficiencies, equity, and family and community engagement.
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
3
Hartford’s Biodiversity Camp
FEATURE STORY
Camp links students with insects, plants and UConn scientist
PHOTO: JAKE KOTEEN
Students sketch the
anatomy of a caterpillar
during a session with
artist Virginia Wagner.
“I’ve always wanted to be an entomologist; I’ve been
fascinated with insects since I was two and a half years
old,” says Matt, a 14-year-old student at Connecticut
River Academy in East Hartford.
This summer, Matt and 18 of his Hartford-area
peers had the opportunity to collect, photograph and
study the interactions of plants and insects at
Biodiversity Camp, which was made possible by a
Hartford Foundation grant.
A $56,520 grant was awarded to the University
of Connecticut’s Department of Ecology and
Evolutionary Biology from the Foundation’s Richard
P. Garmany Fund. The grant supports three years of
research, fieldwork and educational programming
under the direction of UConn professor David Wagner,
who has written four books and more than 100
scientific papers on Lepidoptera, the study of
4
“Conversations” — October 2014
butterflies and moths, and their caterpillars.
A key component of the grant is the week-long
Biodiversity Camp that was held in July for students in
grades six through eight from the Environmental
Sciences Magnet School (ESM) at Mary Hooker in
Hartford, Two Rivers Magnet Middle School in East
Hartford, and other Greater Hartford middle schools.
Professor Wagner’s work was brought to the
attention of Garmany Fund advisor David Polk by
James Prosek, an internationally renowned artist and
natural historian. Both men were friends of Richard
Garmany.
The camp, which was directed by teachers David
Cappaert of ESM and Edmund Smith of Two Rivers,
was designed to expose students to local biodiversity
and provide abundant immersive hands-on
experiences with the plant and animal life found
within Hartford natural areas.
“I am certain that once the kids start to see
insects and the other little things that run the world—
they will be forever changed,” says Professor Wagner.
The camp provided a vehicle for students with a
special interest in biology to work collaboratively with
scientists at the University of Connecticut. Aspiring
entomologist Matt, who has an uncanny knowledge of
sphinx moths, was invited to serve as a teaching
assistant during the camp. “These kids are terrific:
enthusiastic, smart and very well versed in zoology,”
proclaimed Wagner.
The final day of camp included a 24-hour
BioQuest, where scientists, instructors and students
recorded as many species as possible over the course
of one day. The students’ data (specimens and
photographic images) will be used as a platform to
teach about biodiversity, DNA, ecological interactions and climate
change.
Wagner and Prosek were happy to see the idea come to
fruition. “It’s great to see people put money toward things that are
changing people’s lives,” remarked James, who led classes on
scientific illustration and the role of art in science. “A camp like
this can influence children to take a greater interest in a field that
affects the future of our planet. It’s very inspirational. I think
Richard would be happy with this.”
The Richard P. Garmany Fund was established at the Hartford
Foundation in 2008 to support needs in the community as
identified by fund advisor David E. Polk. To date, 133 grants totaling
more than $2.8 million have been made primarily in the arts, the
environment and health, three areas of interest articulated by Mr.
Garmany before his death.
PHOTO: JAKE KOTEEN
The students’ data (specimens and photographic images) will be used as a platform
to teach about biodiversity, DNA, ecological interactions and climate change.
A student examines insects on a pinning board during the 2014
Biodiversity Camp.
To watch a video of students and staff at the 2014 Hartford
Biodiversity Camp, visit www.hfpg.org/biodiversity.
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
5
Celebrating Black Philanthropy
What is your personal story of philanthropy and
what role has philanthropy played in your life?
My story of philanthropy starts with my family.
Generosity has been an unspoken, yet clearly
understood expectation among my immediate and
extended family members for as long as I can
remember. During the recent commemoration of
writer James Baldwin's
birthday, I was reminded
I’m surprised by the belief among
of this quote: "Children
have never been very
some that the only philanthropy
good at listening to their
elders, but they have never
that matters is that given out of
failed to imitate them."
great surplus and tremendous
How I give, live and love
are
intertwined, which
financial wealth.
proves quite efficient. My
time, talent and money are
devoted to causes that I'm exceedingly interested in,
highly passionate about and where I've deemed that I
can have an impact. My philanthropy is focused on the
nonprofit organizations and causes where I have a
deep and vested interest. I'm committed to cultural
causes, the arts and the initiatives of my giving circle—
always with an eye to fairness, opportunity and social
equity.
‘‘
6
“Conversations” — October 2014
PHOTO: CHARLES W. THOMAS, JR.
‘‘
FEATURE STORY
August marked the fourth anniversary of Black Philanthropy Month, which
was created as an annual, global celebration of African-descent giving in
the United States and worldwide. The Hartford Foundation recently
hosted an event to celebrate African-American philanthropy in our region.
Valaida Fullwood, a leader in Black philanthropy and author of Giving Back:
A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists, headlined
the event. Ms. Fullwood talks about her work in philanthropy:
Valaida Fullwood was the featured speaker at “Stories of
Inspiration,” a celebration of Black philanthropy.
What inspires you to do the work that you do?
The knowledge that there's a cultural legacy of giving
and generosity among people of African descent in
America, and yet many people, including people from
Black communities, tend to ignore or discount that
fact. There are too many opportunities to address
disparities and crises within our communities to
exclude Black giving in any form.
In your research and experience, is there
anything that has surprised you?
I’m surprised by the belief among some that the only
philanthropy that matters is that given out of great
surplus and tremendous financial wealth. While
collecting stories for my book Giving Back, I found that
before people (who were widely regarded as
philanthropic) would participate, we first had to tear
What advice do you have for people who desire
to give but may not know where to start or how
to focus their efforts?
Make it personal. I suggest that you start with what
you credit for shaping and defining your life. Dedicate
yourself to a cause that you hold deeply and that you
believe changes lives and serves the greater good.
Research the nonprofit organizations that are doing
that work in your area. You can learn a lot online, but
also by talking with people who are familiar with the
identified nonprofits and by volunteering to gain
firsthand insight. Then make a commitment to donate
PHOTO: CHARLES W. THOMAS, JR.
away psychological blocks and long-held
misperceptions about what philanthropy is and
who can be a philanthropist.
money—regular amounts (big or small) each month,
to one or more of the organizations that are doing the
work that you most care about. Over time, you'll
inevitably grow wiser and more confident and you'll
likely increase your giving while sharpening your focus.
How would you define philanthropic success for
the Hartford region?
For Hartford, it’s what I’d like to see in my own
community and nationally—a region where giving
is inclusive, collaborative and responsive. Giving
should include a range of racially, ethnically and
socioeconomically diverse individuals. There should
be grassroots-type collaboration where community
foundations work together with other foundations in
the region. Lastly, giving should be responsive to the
needs of the community based on existing data and
input from people living in the community.
Valaida Fullwood chronicles the African-American
philanthropy experience in her book “Giving Back.”
To watch an interview with Valaida and see videos
of local residents sharing their stories of giving,
visit www.hfpg.org/blackphilanthropy.
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
7
Giving with Ease
PHOTO: JAKE KOTEEN
FROM THE HEART
The Hartford Foundation helps smooth the transition
from private to public giving
Richard Brainerd
in front of a portrait
of Lyman Brainerd
8
As a young man, Dick Brainerd witnessed
his father’s successes—and the generosity
that accompanied them. His father, Lyman
B. Brainerd, president of Hartford
Steamboiler and chair of the Trinity
College Board of Trustees, had created a
family foundation in 1993, because, as his
son remembers, “he decided he wanted
to continue to keep giving.” Many
benefited from the family’s generosity,
including the Boys and Girls Clubs,
Hartford Hospital and Trinity College.
But some years after their father
passed away, Dick and his brother made a
key decision concerning the family foundation. “It was
getting to a size where the annual overhead costs
were getting a little ridiculous,” Dick said, “and
succession was very important.”
Dick’s attorney recommended that he consult
the Hartford Foundation to discuss charitable options
for his family foundation. After conversations with
Foundation staff, Dick decided to convert the family
foundation to a donor-advised fund. Why?
“Succession is taken care of, the annual
accounting costs pretty much disappeared, and I
didn’t have any compliance issues with registering
with the state of Connecticut,” he said. “No muss,
no fuss. It made it a lot easier.”
By terminating the family foundation and
establishing a donor-advised fund at the Hartford
Foundation, both the father’s and son’s wishes
were met.
“Conversations” — October 2014
“These donors receive the benefit of the
resources of the Hartford Foundation for Public
Giving,” said Lori Rabb, vice president for philanthropic
services at the Foundation. “A donor-advised fund
allows individuals to focus on their philanthropy and
fulfill their charitable goals without worrying about
oversight, administration and compliance.”
That held true for the Brainerd brothers, for
whom time and cost had both become an issue.
“Administrative time for families can be costly,
and some individuals are no longer are interested in
spending their time that way,” said Deborah Rothstein,
senior philanthropic services officer at the Foundation.
“For them, setting up a donor-advised fund allows
donor intent to be carried out, but without the
burdens of IRS requirements, tax filings and other
administrative tasks.”
Calling himself “Hartford-centric,” Dick chose the
Hartford Foundation because of its reputation as a
trusted community entity. “I had confidence that the
Hartford Foundation would carry out my charitable
intentions. It has served the Greater Hartford region
since 1925 and is deeply connected to the community.
I appreciate the personalized service, knowledgeable
professional staff and flexibility the Foundation offers.”
“My father was from the school of thought that
you should give while you are alive so you can
appreciate it,” Dick said. “I’d much rather give where I
can see where it goes and how it does something. This
has proceeded exactly as I had hoped, I’m very pleased
with the investment results, and I’d do it again.”
New Funds and
Planned Gifts
JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2014
Some benefits of a creating
donor-advised fund at the
Hartford Foundation include:
• Donors gain access to the Foundation’s
expertise on grantmaking and the region’s
nonprofit community.
• Donors receive a tax deduction for an
irrevocable gift.
• The Hartford Foundation handles all
administrative tasks.
• Donors retain advisory privileges regarding
the awarding of grants.
• The Hartford Foundation provides regular
statements on the fund’s activity.
• The Hartford Foundation conducts due
diligence on grantmaking to ensure
organizations receiving grants are qualified
and ultimately use the monies appropriately.
• Donors have the right to name successor
advisors to the fund.
• There are no start-up costs.
• Gifts to the fund are tax deductible at public
charity rates.
• The Hartford Foundation stewards a sizable
permanent endowment designed to benefit
the Greater Hartford community—balancing
security and risk, protecting tomorrow's
assets while addressing today's needs.
For more information on creating
a donor-advised fund, please visit
www.hfpg.org/dafunds.
Mathew Caruso Memorial Scholarship Fund will provide college scholarship awards
for graduating high school seniors from Bulkeley High School and other Hartford
public high schools.
Walter "Doc" Hurley Scholarship Fund for Greater Hartford will provide annual
scholarship awards for up to four years to graduating high school students in
Greater Hartford who participate in a wide variety of scholastic and other
extracurricular activities.
Peter Jung Scholarship Fund, part of the Foundation’s General Scholarship
Endowment Program, will support graduating high school seniors from Hartford
public high schools.
Jackson-Batchelder Family Scholarship Fund will support African-American or
Latino students who are graduating seniors from high schools in the city of
Hartford to pursue their educational goals.
Joyce S. Picard Scholarship Fund will support graduating high school seniors or
returning students who reside in South Windsor and will be attending two- or fouryear colleges or universities.
South Asian Bar Association Endowed Fund will provide scholarship and internship
awards to deserving law students in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts who
are committed to serving the South Asian community.
Clinton B. Yeomans Fund, an unrestricted fund, was created through the Clinton B.
Yeomans Trust and will help address the most pressing needs in the Greater
Hartford region.
Planned Gifts
An anonymous donor established a gift annuity that will provide a guaranteed
income and create a legacy for the community. At the end of the annuity,
85 percent will be used to establish a fund to benefit the Bolton Land Trust and
15 percent will be added to the Hartford Foundation’s unrestricted endowment
for general support of the community.
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
9
S N A P S H O T S S N A P S H O T S S N A P S H O T S S N A P S H O T S
Some of the 2014 Hartford Foundation scholarship recipients with Board
Chair Yvette Meléndez and Jennyfer Holmes, Hartford Foundation
scholarship and donor services officer. Last year the Hartford
Foundation awarded over $1.2 million in support of college scholarships
to more than 600 traditional-aged students and adult learners at fouryear and two-year colleges, as well as local community colleges.
10
“Conversations” — October 2014
Members of the Metro Hartford Progress Points team met with the
Hartford Courant editorial board to discuss the Progress Points project.
Pictured are (left to right): Scott Gaul, Community Indicators Project
director at the Hartford Foundation; Darryl Thames, chief operations
officer of the Urban League of Greater Hartford, Adrienne Cochrane,
president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Hartford; Chris
Senecal, Hartford Foundation senior communications officer; Susan Dunn,
president and CEO at United Way of Central and Northeastern
Connecticut; Linda Kelly, Hartford Foundation president; and Xiangming
Chen, dean and director of the Center for Urban and Global Studies at
Trinity College.
Donor Susan Aller (left)
chats with Susan
Turnbull at a meeting of
The 1925 Society, the
Hartford Foundation’s
legacy group. Ms.
Turnbull, founder and
principal of Personal
Legacy Advisors was the
featured speaker for
the event, “Passing On
the Personal Wealth of
Your Life: Much More
than Money.”
PHOTO: JAKE KOTEEN
PHOTO: RILEY JOHNSON III
Stacey DiPiazza (left) and her daughters help stuff backpacks for Hands
On Hartford’s Backpack Nutrition Program. The initiative is one of the
organization’s MANNA (Meals, Assistance, Neighbors, Nurturing,
Advocacy) Programs, which provide nutrition for homeless individuals,
emergency food, assistance for families, and weekend meals for seniors.
INSIDE Hartford Foundation
Promotions
Yvette Bello has joined the Hartford
Foundation as program officer. Yvette
joins the Foundation after serving as the
executive director of Latino Community
Services in Hartford for seven years. Her
prior experience includes various
positions with the Connecticut
Department of Public Health and the
Connecticut Army National Guard.
Louise Galvin
Director, Human
Resources
Cheryl Gerrish
Senior Grants
Operations Manager
Elysa Gordon
Senior Officer, Policy
and Early Childhood
Tauheedah Jackson has been named
director of the Hartford Partnership for
Student Success*. Tauheedah, who has a
wealth of experience in the fields of
youth development, education and
nonprofit management, most recently
served as vice president of strategic
partnerships for Boys and Girls Clubs of
Hartford.
Andrew Halpryn
Senior IT Manager
Michelle Mays
Communications
Manager
PHOTOS: JAKE KOTEEN
Chris Senecal
Senior Communications
Officer
*Hartford Partnership
for School Success
is a public-private
partnership of
Hartford Public
Schools, Hartford
Foundation for Public
Giving, United Way of
Central and
Northeastern
Connecticut and the
City of Hartford Office
for Youth Services.
www.hfpg.org
Staff Update
Josephine Morrison has been hired as
accountant. Josie previously served as a
Financial Analyst at the Loomis-Chaffee
School where she worked with both the
Finance Department and the Alumni
Relations and Development group.
Whether you are looking for
ways to partner with the
Hartford Foundation, wishing
to establish a fund, seeking a
grant, or anything in between
— you can find the information
you need on our website.
The website features videos
and news clips to keep you
up-to-date on the latest
developments and fresh ideas
on issues important to the
Greater Hartford community.
The NSP website,
www.hfpg.org/NSP, is also
informative and is organized
based on the needs of
nonprofits, such as Plan and
Assess, Learn, Strengthen
Financial Systems, and
Enhance Technology.
Check it out and let us know
what you think.
And don’t forget to follow us
on Twitter, Facebook and
YouTube.
Harriet Vose, who served as accountant, has retired after 21 years of
service to the Hartford Foundation. George Chappell has retired
after five years of service. George, a communications officer, handled
the Foundation’s media relations.
www.twitter.com/hartfordfdn
www.facebook.com/hartfordfoundation
youtube.com/user/HartfordFoundation
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
11
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(continued from page 1)
transition from a family foundation, and preserve his father’s
legacy of giving to the community for generations to come.
There is the story of a college professor with a vision to instill in
middle-schoolers a passion for insects, our environment and
learning. You’ll also read about a woman who is changing
perceptions about what it means to be a philanthropist and is
living her passion in the process.
At the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, we are committed to being your
partner in giving, helping to bring philanthropic dreams to life, being careful
stewards of our assets, and supporting organizations and programs that enhance
the quality of life for those living in our region.
Ms. Valaida Fullwood summed it up well when she said: “Dedicate yourself to
a cause that you hold deeply and that you believe changes lives and serves the
greater good.” That is what we strive for at the Foundation—making change for
the better by working together for good.
Linda J. Kelly
President
PHOTO: H. JAKE KOTEEN
Kaleidoscope of Our Region
is published by the Hartford Foundation for Public
Giving — the community foundation for Greater
Hartford. Putting philanthropy into action, the
Foundation provides grants and other support to a
broad range of nonprofit organizations, helps donors
make effective charitable giving decisions, and brings
people together to create lasting solutions that result
in vibrant communities.
Yvette Meléndez
Board Chair
Linda J. Kelly
President
Managing Editor
Nancy Benben
Vice President for
Communications
and Marketing
[email protected]
Editor
Michelle C. Mays
Communications
Manager
[email protected]
Contributing Writers
Jane Gordon Julien
Michelle C. Mays