Return to flip book view

Annual Report 2020-2021

Page 1

OUR FIRST 365 DAYSMarch 2020 - March 2021

Page 2

130+Partners4-CT ConnectsWe united projects withcorporate, foundation, andindividual donors for fundingand execution.4-CT CoordinatesWe collected data, developedinsights, and adapted projectsthroughout the state, andprioritized them for greatestimpact.4-CT CollaboratesWe provided ongoing supportfor projects we executed,ensuring transparency andaccountability.Supporting75,000+individualsReceiving$15M+contributionsReaching174+zip codes70+volunteers23,000volunteer hours1,700+Donors$14MImpactis to bring together individuals, foundations, corporations, and community organizations to rapidly provide resources to Connecticut residents in need, starting with those most adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Working together, our resources allow for transformative impact at scale to address the most pressing issues across the state.4-CT’s MISSION 4-CT By The Numbers

Page 3

Message From Our Board and LeadershipDonald Kendall Jr.Founder/Board ChairTed YangFounding CEOCatalina Samper-HorakInterim CEOAs we look back on the first year of 4-CT, we are grateful for the immediate call to action by CT’s residents. Early on, nobody really knew the magnitude of the impact that COVID-19 would have on the world, let alone our state, but our residents didn’t wait to find out.In March 2020, the calls to donate came in and while we were getting 4-CT set-up we knew we needed to get relief out fast, so we reached out to the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and set up the 4-CT Statewide COVID-19 Relief Fund (“the Fund”). While the donations pouredin, 4-CT mobilized a passionate and dedicated group of volunteers that worked closely with the state and its community leaders to identify who needed the most help and how to get it to them fast.Large grants were made from the Fund to those organizations that could make the most impact for those that needed support for housing, health, food, and childcare. And, we kept close to our community partners and learned that there were many that didn’t qualify for federal, or state direct aid and we filled that gap by creating the 4-CT Card program that got over $2 million dollars of direct cash aid to those that needed it most. The efforts of our partners and volunteers were nothing short of heroic and we are deeply grateful to them.Because you showed us how much you cared through your immense generosity, we were able to have a profound and meaningful impact on our most challenged residents at an unprecedented time in our history. Our journey will continue, and we look forward to what we can accomplish together.With deep gratitude,

Page 4

$14.6M30+ ORGANIZATIONS+40 GRANTSProgram GrantsThe incredibly generous contributions that came in during the early months of the pandemic through the 4-CT COVID-19 Relief Fund ("the Fund") at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, were promptly disbursed through grants issued by the Fund to leading non-profit organizations in Connecticut addressing pressing needs generated by the pandemic.The combined efforts of the board, staff and volunteers of 4-CT, a newly created organization, resulted in a very effective and flexible process that included extensive research and close collaboration with community leaders and State officials. The grant recommendations were the result of a nimble and effective process designed to minimize barriers to funding and provide large grants to those organizations in need of fast access to cash.Working together, our resources allowed for transformative impact at scale to meet the needs of the most vulnerable residents across the state at a time when they needed it the most.

Page 5

$3.2M $5.3M $2.7M $1.0M $930KProvided emergency funds to hospitals in dire need of assistanceSupplied critically needed PPEto Community Health CentersFunded Community Health workers throughout the stateStarted a “warm-line” for mental health assistanceSupported a network of domestic violence organizationsOpened 26 childcare centers for critical healthcare workers in the early days of the pandemicGave educational materials to 185,000 students within the 33 alliance districts most in needExpanded support services to home-based childcare programs to keep them safe and openCreated a peer mentor-driven model to help disengaged and under-served 2020 high school graduates enroll in collegeWorked with the two Connecticut food banks to provide over one million pounds of food Distributed nearly 75,000 meals to food pantries in the most rural parts of ConnecticutObtained over 10,000 meals for distribution to hungry familiesFunded a New Haven based organization that employs refugee women to prepare food free of chargeSupported a statewide effort to keep individuals who are on the brink of becoming homelessness in their homes Set up a rent relief program for Stamford public housing residentsSpread a proven model of community resilience and empowerment in BridgeportAssisted CT residents with tax returns, stimulus payments, and pandemic unemployment insurance, yielding>$4 million for those who earn roughly$27,000 on averageFunded statewide Financial Opportunity Centers to help low- income individuals get back on their feetHealthcare / WellbeingEducation / Technology /ChildcareFood Insecurity HousingFinancial Assistance & SupportFull list of grantee organizations available on our website

Page 6

4-CT Card ProgramThe 4-CT Card is a novel direct-aid program that delivered unrestricted cash funds, health care, and other needed services to the most disadvantaged Connecticut residents. It is a whole new approach to philanthropy that delivered a powerful two for one benefit.• It supported those most vulnerable communities excluded from federal financial COVID relief by getting a cash benefit to individuals in the form of a prepaid debit card where recipients can use the card to pay for rent, grocery purchases, and other needed essentials.• The cards are distributed by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) where their personnel have an opportunity to provide recipients with no to low-cost healthcare including flu-shots, COVID-19 testing and educational information on routine preventative healthcare.• Many in these communities have no access to healthcare and having FQHCs distribute the cards provides a point of contactthat otherwise may not happen.The program targeted different groups of recipients, identified jointly by our Community BasedOrganizations across the State, Stateofficials, and the 4-CT program team.UNDOCUMENTEDESSENTIAL WORKERSEMERGENCY ASSISTANCEQUARANTINE & ISOLATIONSMALL BUSINESSIndividual program results are available on our website

Page 7

4-CT Card Program - How It WorksCommunity-based organizations throughout Connecticut identify their most vulnerable residents and connect them with community health centers that distribute the 4-CT direct cash-aid cards.Statewide network of community partner organizations with strong roots in theircommunities run the programsFederally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) across the state distribute the cards and provided health services and/or informationCards are funded remotely with customizable amounts and cardtracking provides spending insightsto continually improve the programs35 Community Based Organizations19 Health Centers5,785 4-CT CardsTotalCash Distributed$2,125,500 Numbersof unduplicated individuals 16,929Geographicdistribution174 zip codes

Page 8

Our Community PartnersOur statewide partner network includes local organizations who understand the local needs and have a direct connection to the card recipients and the Health Centers with deep expertise and knowledge of their residents.All our partners are chosen based on the deep trust and relationships thatthey have with the populations that they serve.Our immigrant community, incredibly hit hard by the pandemic, has felt your lending hand. With your support, nearly 600 individuals received over $186,000 at a time when they needed it the most.Anka Badurina, Executive DirectorBuilding One Community, Stamford

Page 9

Our Volunteers70+ Volunteers worked 23,000 hoursThey connected with community leaders to ensure programs delivered against the most critical needs, drove hundreds of miles throughout the state delivering cards, and worked directly with grantee organizations.4-CT was an unexpected opportunity that allowed me togrow as an individual and connect with people all over the state of Connecticut. I feel so fortunate to have had an experience where I felt I was making a real impact in the community duringan incredibly difficult time.The 4-CT team is made up of smart, passionate people who showed me how to be creative and how to work together to effectively better the lives of others.Eliza Denious, Volunteer

Page 10

It's BeenA Long Year

Page 11

And The Journey Continues …Direct cash-aid will remain as 4-CT’s principal program as it evolves from COVID-19 Emergency Funding to programs that will support the needs of the most vulnerable CT residents.4-CT will continue to be a data-driven innovative organization, where the voices of our partners across the state will determine our programmatic decisions.The next 365 days will bring …NewCEOBuild-out of a 3 yearstrategic planEvolving convener,facilitator, andadvocacy rolesContinuing partnershipwith CommunityBased Organizationsand State officials

Page 12

Includes spending fromthe donor-advised 4-CTStatewide COVID-19 ReliefFund at the HartfordFoundation for PublicGiving and 4-CT CorpFinancial HighlightsPrograms Spending$10,123,717Direct Contributions $15,537,3493/2020 to 3/2021Total Spending $10,442,363NOTE: $6.165M in contributions facilitated, butnot distributed by 4-CT Corp are not includedCorporations5%Foundations37%Individuals58%Programs97%Fundraising & Administrative 3%4-CT CardDirect Cash Aid22.2%Housing10.1%Health22.2%Education21.2%Financial9.1%Food15.2%

Page 13

Interim CEO, Former Board DirectorPrograms Director, Former Board DirectorFinance & Operations Director Programs ManagerPrograms Associate Administrative SupportCatalina Samper-HorakRobert SmithColette Chestnut Megumi Abe Sydney De LannoyChriss GombosCo-Founder, Chairman of the Board, Executive ChairTreasurerSecretaryDonald M. Kendall Jr Roy BergerKathy HodgeDr. Michael ApkonWilliam GinsbergMarie-Li HaubJuanita JamesMerrick KleemanEmily LamontDirectorDirector*DirectorDirectorDirectorDirectorGarrett MoranR. Adam NorwittJoAnn PriceJessica SagerTheodore YangDirector*DirectorDirector Director*Co-Founder, DirectorBoard of DirectorsStaff* (to12/2/2020)When the pandemic hit, the State was flooded with calls from people who wanted tohelp, and 4-CT was launched. It worked closely with the State and its communityleaders to develop programs to deliver immediate and high impact aid to its most vulnerableresidents. As the long recovery marches forward, 4-CT remains a unique organization thatbrings a statwide lens of support to its residents." Emily Lamont, 4-CT BoardEveryone who works at 4-CT shares a deep passion for valuing and understanding the communities that we serve. We strive to design and fund programs that center on the needs of these unique individuals and the incredible work of our community partners. It is a truly inspiring and humbling experience to be part of this effort.” Megumi Abe, 4-CT Staff

Page 14

Facebook:@4connecticutTwitter:@4_ConnecticutInstagram:@4.connecticutLinkedIn:4-CTYouTube:4-CT Connect and ShareSubscribe to our newslettersFollow us on social media.connect@4-CT.orgDonateTax deductible gifts canbe made in several ways.Contact us to find out how you can contribute.www.4-ct.org