Giving Guide Debuts As A Resource

Welcome to our inaugural publication of the Giving Guide, a resource to connect you with the companies and causes that matter to you and your business team. This type of publication has been a great success in other markets, helping to bring the business people to the many causes and groups who are addressing the needs of our community. We think that it is a natural for the Greater Hartford region and look forward to hearing your thoughts.

A new ranking of the nation’s 400 biggest charities — three of which are located in Connecticut — shows donations dropped by 11 percent overall last year — the worst decline in 20 years since the Chronicle of Philanthropy began keeping a tally, Associated Press reports. Our region has seen many examples of nonprofits coming together in creative ways to be more efficient in delivering services. As you read through the guide, imagine life without these organizations. Each of them makes our region a better place to live and to work.

The profiles will tell you about their mission, their goals, where the funding goes, and the giving and volunteer opportunities. There is no doubt that the business community can offer support in money and in talent to the nonprofits in the region. One of the elements that is unique to this publication is the listing of the Board of Directors for each organization. This element will help you see the people behind the scenes who are working hard to guide and advocate for these organizations.

Kahil Gibran in the book The Prophet said, “It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding.” So, please take a look through this guide and see if there is a cause or a group that speaks to you. Perhaps this is the year that you want to take time out to support a cause that you care about, or to encourage one of your colleagues to give back to the community. Our region is a better place in which to work and to live when we all come together to lend a helping hand.