Hartford Foundation Releases Interactive 2016 Annual Report

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s 2016 annual report takes a decidedly modern turn with a new “digital-first approach.” Living on the Foundation’s website, the report integrates video and other design elements to tell the stories behind the Foundation’s grantmaking.

In 2016, the Foundation, the community foundation for 29 towns in Greater Hartford, awarded more than $33 million in grants to the region’s nonprofit agencies and educational institutions in 2016, according to its just-released annual report. The Foundation received gifts totaling $13.6 million and established 35 new funds. Since its founding in 1925, the Foundation has awarded $687 million in grants.

“The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is proud to work with donors at every level to advance the well-being of our region and all its residents,” said Yvette Meléndez, interim president of the Hartford Foundation. “This new approach to our annual report will provide new and more engaging opportunities for our donors, nonprofits, community partners and our residents to learn about the vital work that the Foundation supports.”

The Foundation’s 2016 grantmaking extended its vision: a vibrant and strong Greater Hartford region requires all residents, especially those with the greatest need, have equitable opportunities to achieve and flourish. In order to make this possible, the Foundation provided support to nonprofit and public entities that work to ensure everyone has access to the resources and services they need to thrive.

Hartford Foundation’s communications and marketing officer, Michelle C. Mays, discussed how this new format provides new opportunities to show the impact of the Foundation’s grantmaking and other work to support the residents of Greater Hartford.

“Video storytelling is so powerful; it is the best way to capture the energy and vibrancy of our donors, grantees and partners,” Mays said. “While a print version of the report will be still be available, this new online format uses imagery and sound that can more effectively demonstrate the change that the Foundation’s donors, nonprofits and the entire community can create together. Philanthropy means ‘love of humankind,’ and this new digital annual report brings to life the work we do every day.”

Highlights of the wide variety of work the Foundation has supported throughout Greater Hartford include the following:

Children make sense of the world through exploration, experimentation and social interactions—in other words, through play. See how facilitated play helps children grow. The Foundation is working with seven of the region’s most challenged school districts to help transform the learning experience. Through grants totaling more than $3 million, these districts can build the family, school and community partnerships outside the classroom that enable learning inside the classroom.

Every year in Connecticut, more than 10,000 individuals return to the community after serving time in a correctional institution. But without a job, about half will end up back in jail within two years. STARR Training to Work 2 is one of nine Career Pathways Initiatives helping our hard-to-employ residents, like returning citizens, overcome barriers to earning a stable living wage.

The Hartford Foundation has a long history of grantmaking to organizations that provide council, support and access to equitable opportunities for immigrants and refugees. The Latino Endowment Fund awarded a grant of $20,000 to the Center for Children’s Advocacy Project LLEGAR to provide legal representation for undocumented minors who may qualify for special immigrant juvenile status. 

Recognizing that important services are provided by smaller nonprofits that often lack substantial funding and organizational development support, the Foundation’s Nonprofit Support Program launched “Building on Success,” a two-year initiative that combines capacity-building support and small grants to nonprofits.

See the new  or download a PDF at hfpg.org/ar2016.

Contact the Communications and Marketing Department at 860-548-1888 to request a print copy.