The Black Giving Circle Fund at Hartford Foundation awards $20,000 to local organizations to support Black Youth

The Black Giving Circle Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving awarded grants to the Legacy Foundation of Hartford and Hartford Parent University. This is the third year the Black Giving Circle Fund has awarded grants to local nonprofit organizations. Each year, Black Giving Circle members consider proposals focused on supporting Greater Hartford’s black community.

Thanks to a $10,000 grant award to the Legacy Foundation, 50 Hartford students will have access to the many academic and enrichment activities provided through its Legacy and Exposure and Access Program (LEAP). Participating in LEAP has made a real difference in students’ success as evidenced by the experience of Pashioune Wilson. Pashioune was just 12 years old when she was met Legacy Foundation Executive Director Greg Jones and became a participant in the organization’s Legacy and Exposure and Access Program (LEAP). Now a senior at Greater Hartford Arts Academy, Pashioune has been accepted to more than a dozen colleges. She is deciding on her top four choices and looks forward to studying to become a forensic pathologist.

“Just knowing there have been many other students like me, who persisted in doing the work, graduated from college and gone on to pursue rewarding careers, has made a real difference in my life,” Pashioune said.

Legacy partners with Hartford schools to provide academic and experiential support and enrichment to LEAP Scholars.  School administration and staff collaborate with Legacy to provide academic instruction and experiences tailored to what the Scholars learn in school.  In addition, LEAP provides meaningful summer options, such as debate and overnight camp, to ensure that Scholars do not regress academically.  The Legacy Foundation has deep roots in greater Hartford and leverages its connections to provide otherwise-inaccessible opportunities.

A second $10,000 grant was awarded to Hartford Parent University (HPU) to support a parent coach who will work with black families in Hartford for one year. Each year, 200 parents participate in at least one HPU class and at least 45 parents complete the required 10 classes to graduate.  Hartford Parent University is parents working with other parents to help break the cycle of poverty through education and connecting families to needed resources. This new parent coach's first step will be enrolling parents in HPU to learn how to navigate the Hartford Public School System. Many HPU parents go on to get their GED or enroll in college, which helps to ensure a better future for their children.

The mission of Black Giving Circle Fund is “to create sustainable change in the Black community by leveraging the philanthropic efforts of donors and celebrating Black philanthropy.” Membership to the Black Giving Circle Fund is open to everyone. Donations from members (at least $365 annually per membership) are pooled together in a dedicated endowed fund at the Hartford Foundation. Members of the fund examine issues facing Greater Hartford’s Black community and, collectively, recommend grants to nonprofit organizations that work to address them.

For more information, or to join the Black Giving Circle Fund, visit hfpg.org/blackgivingcircle or call Chari Anderson at 860-548-1888.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding communities. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $750 million since its founding in 1925. For more information about the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, visit https://www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.