Press Release
For information: Alice Fitzpatrick, (860) 442-3572, Rick Schwartz (617) 699-5668
Two community foundations merge to form largest in state: 42 cities and towns
Promises innovative model of philanthropy focusing on givers
After 26 years, eastern Connecticut has a unified voice for local philanthropy. The Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut (CFSECT) serving New London and 10 other towns has merged with the Community Foundation of the Tri-County Area (CFTCA), which served Norwich, Windham, and 29 other towns in northeast Connecticut.
The merged community foundation, keeping the name of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut, with a Tri-County division, now covers the largest physical area of any of the state’s 18 community foundations. It serves 42, or more than one-fourth, of the state’s 169 cities and towns.
Merger had to reflect cost-efficiency and individualism
“We didn’t go into this merger lightly,” admits Laurel Butler, who remains CFSECT’s board chair.
“Every city and town in eastern Connecticut has a strong identity and sense of individualism. Organizations that have tried to treat the region as a single place, or even three or four separate districts, have often met resistance.
“We had to satisfy our respective boards that a single community foundation could respect – indeed be enthusiastic about – that independence and successfully operate in a cost-effective manner,” Butler points out.
“Naturally we’re excited when creativity and collaboration cross borders and organizations. We can name many examples when the community foundation has been able to broker relationships and cooperation,” Butler adds. “Now we get to set an example of how it can be done.”
Savings Institute President and former CFTCA Board Chair Rheo Brouillard agrees the merger engendered healthy debate.
“A community foundation’s mission is to encourage and steward thoughtful philanthropy. The charitable spirit may come from an individual creating a scholarship in memory of a favorite teacher, a family establishing a legacy to last generations, a hospital’s employees who want to design their own grants program, a nonprofit board striving to build a permanent endowment, or a town preserving endangered land.
“After a year of research and spirited discussion, we’re confident we can foster that type of philanthropy and more throughout eastern Connecticut,” he concludes.
New model focuses on givers’ interests in the former Tri-County area
Continuing CFSECT President Alice Fitzpatrick, a strong advocate for the merger, is designing an innovative structure for the former Tri-County area.
“Frankly, many people may be surprised to learn that the Community Foundation will not be offering a traditional grantmaking program in the Tri-County area. Instead we will focus on helping people and groups fund the causes and nonprofits they most care about, whether in the arts, environment, human services, or education, for example,” she notes. “All grants will come from the endowment funds that donor advisors, employee committees, and programs like the Women & Girls Fund establish.” The Community Foundation will, however, appoint a Regional Advisory Board to advise on the strategic distribution of any currently existing unrestricted funds.
Fitzpatrick adds that Community Foundation Board, staff, and volunteers will spend an equal amount of time researching local issues, convening and training nonprofits, and providing a forum for discussing regional matters.
For southeastern Connecticut, business will remain much as usual
Fitzpatrick notes, however, that several initiatives and a discretionary grants program in southeastern Connecticut will continue because they are already funded by existing local endowments. The main office will also stay in the building the Community Foundation owns in New London.
“Divided operations” expected to offer valuable lessons
Laurel Butler is only a “little daunted” by having two very different approaches to community philanthropy under the one roof of the community foundation she chairs.
“Every one of the nation’s 800 community foundations is different because its people and history and circumstances and economy are different. Each reflects its unique culture of giving.
