DONOR STORIES:
Putting philanthropy into meaningful action
Our donors bring a wide range of charitable interests to the table. But no matter the individual reason for giving, all our donors are able to turn their passions and values into lasting impact on Greater Hartford.
The Hartford Foundation is proud to partner with the individuals, families and organizations who created new funds in 2016.
Here is a small sampling of their inspiring stories. You can read about all the 2016 new funds in our special summer edition of “Conversations” or at hfpg.org/funds2016.
SHYAAM BACHMAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Scholarship Fund
This fund was created in memory of Shyaam Bachman. Shyaam was an honor student at Farmington High School, a gifted scholar athlete, a four-year presidential scholar at Hampton University, and later a dedicated science teacher who touched the lives of many students. In a moving video tribute, his father quotes Shyaam’s life motto, “Do what you love, be the best person you can be and in some small way try to bring peace to your world.” Shyaam believed in the power of education, and particularly the sciences, to empower young people to achieve their dreams. This memorial scholarship fund will support young African-American men with financial need who have graduated from a high school in the Greater Hartford region and are planning to major in a science-related field.
STEPHEN BENEDETTO FUND
Donor-Advised Fund
“When you have lived a fortunate life, not extravagant, but fortunate, it is incumbent upon you to reach out to those who may not have enjoyed that same fortune or opportunity.” This belief fueled Mr. Benedetto’s establishment of his donor-advised fund at the Hartford Foundation. Now retired, Mr. Benedetto was vice president at the Connecticut Development Authority, where he served for 31 years. He has lived in Greater Hartford his entire life and has seen the incredible impact that nonprofits have had in the community. His fund will support the many nonprofits in the area so that they can continue to provide services to those in need, now and into the future.
ELENA HAYNES DE VAUGHN, PH.D. FUND
Donor-Advised Fund
Drs. Booker and Elena DeVaughn have devoted much of their lives to the fields of education and nursing. Having watched the dearth of African Americans in the registered nursing profession and medical fields without significant change over decades, the DeVaughns created this fund to help change that reality. Their fund will support African-American students in all stages of their education, especially those studying in the STEM fields, and encourage the pursuit of nursing and other health care professions. Through this fund, the DeVaughns leave a legacy that brings opportunities for greater representation of African Americans in the healthcare, math and science professions.
POMEROY-BRACE FUNDS
Unrestricted Fund | Scholarship Fund
Seth Pomeroy Holcombe and Lucy Eaton Holcombe lived in North Granby for over 30 years. Both Lucy and Seth were active in their community, enthusiastically supporting the culture and history of the town they loved. Seth and Lucy served on many boards and committees, and shared a passion for Morgan horses, giving a home to many horses over the years and founding the Granby Horse Council. To continue their life of giving back, Seth and Lucy established an unrestricted fund that will support many organizations in their beloved Granby and in the Greater Hartford area. They also established a scholarship fund to benefit deserving students with financial need.
