Hartford Foundation's “Respond-Rebuild-Renew Fund” to Respond to Needs of Greater Hartford Region Related to Unforeseen Disasters

In an effort to be more nimble and responsive to unforeseen natural disasters, violence and other incidents that impact residents in the Greater Hartford region, The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has established the "Respond-Rebuild-Renew Fund." The Foundation has made an initial $25,000 contribution to the fund.

This new charitable fund will respond to the needs facing residents of the Greater Hartford region related to: (a) the immediate and long term recovery, rebuilding and renewal efforts resulting from unforeseen natural and human-made disasters and incidents and (b) unforeseen events that intersect with the Foundation's core values of equity, diversity and inclusion. The Fund is primarily designed to address long-term needs once emergency and time-sensitive issues are addressed.

"The Hartford Foundation created this new fund to provide both short and long-term support should our region suffer from the types of crises that we have witnessed in Houston, Puerto Rico, and Las Vegas," said Hartford Foundation president Jay Williams. "As a community foundation, we are uniquely positioned to connect donors to Greater Hartford nonprofits and community efforts that most effectively serve the needs of local residents and neighborhoods affected by these unforeseen events.

Specifically, the Respond-Rebuild-Renew Fund will support:

• Nonprofits and public sector entities addressing immediate and longer-term recovery, rebuilding and healing needs of residents and communities.
• Gaps where public resources are unavailable.
• Cross-sector collaborations with government, donors and public/private partnerships.
• Public awareness and education efforts and community discussion around topics exacerbated by the event.
• Legal services supports and coordination that provide direct services to impacted residents.

To learn more about the fund or make an online donation, visit hfpg.org/respond.

Foundation to Sponsor Survey on Displaced Persons from Hurricanes Moving Into Region

In the aftermath of the recent hurricanes in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Texas and Florida, there exists limited data about the scale or likelihood of individuals and families displaced based on these events. Greater Hartford has one of the highest concentrations of people of Puerto Rican and West Indian origin in the United States and planning has already begun to accommodate displaced persons who may decide to relocate to the region.

To better understand the potential impact of displacement, the Hartford Foundation is finalizing a grant to commission a survey and outreach to provide estimates of movement to the Greater Hartford region. The survey will be conducted by El Instituto: Institute of Latina/o, Caribbean and Latin American Studies at the University of Connecticut and the Center for Puerto Rican Studies (Centro) at Hunter College (CUNY). Results from the survey will help inform planning and action by funders, nonprofits, municipalities and schools.  The Foundation will work with community organizations and leaders in the region to disseminate and act on survey results.  

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding communities. In 2015, the Foundation celebrated ninety years of grantmaking in the Greater Hartford region, made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations. It has awarded grants of more than $680 million since its founding in 1925. For more information about the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.