A spotlight on corporate giving and nonprofits

Eric Daniels

David Garvey

Susan D. Sadecki

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Private-sector philanthropy is more important than ever for the Greater Hartford community.

With current and future state funding under threat, businesses, philanthropists and foundations are being asked to shoulder a larger share of the burden when it comes to funding nonprofits and the crucial services many of them deliver to local communities and those in need.

Whether it's dealing with the opioid crisis, homelessness, domestic violence, skills and workforce training, or even creating a sense of community through the arts, nonprofits are major players and contributors to the region's economy.

As part of Hartford Business Journal's efforts to spotlight the important role of nonprofits, and the businesses that support them, we've launched our first annual Community Excellence & Nonprofit Awards.

The awards identify outstanding companies and leaders who have supported nonprofit organizations, along with nonprofits and nonprofit executives who have made a significant impact on the community over the last year.

Our independent panel of judges — Susan D. Sadecki, president and CEO, Main Street Community Foundation; Eric Daniels, partner, Robinson & Cole LLP; and David Garvey, director, nonprofit leadership program and adjunct professor, Department of Public Policy, UConn — selected the winners, who were nominated by the public, in seven different categories ranging from corporate citizenship and volunteer of the year to nonprofit and nonprofit leader of the year.

We celebrated our winners at an event Nov. 14 at Infinity Hall in Hartford. Their stories are not only meant to inform our readers of the diverse array of services offered by nonprofits, and the good works they are doing, but also highlight the importance of private-sector community engagement, which means more than simply writing a check. It means being active in the communities in which companies operate.

Corporate social responsibility these days isn't just a boardroom buzzword, it's an important tool to recruit a next-generation workforce, particularly Millennials, who want to know their company serves a higher purpose.

These awards spotlight some firms that excel in this area. Is your company doing enough?

Greg Bordonaro | Editor, Hartford Business Journal

Honorees

Partnership Award
Winners: The Hartford, Aetna Inc., Travelers Cos., City of Hartford, Hartford Public Library

Corporate Citizenship of the Year
Winner: The Simon Konover Company, West Hartford

Corporate Volunteer of the Year
Winner: Susan Lane, Senior Leader of Strategic Partnerships, Hoffman Auto Group

Next Generation Leadership
Winner: Tatiana Paredes, President, Prospanica Connecticut; Supplier Diversity Analyst, Stanley Black & Decker Inc.

Nonprofit Executive of the Year
Winner: Steve Collins, Executive Director, Hartford Symphony Orchestra

Nonprofit of the Year
Winner: ACE Mentor Program of Connecticut

Nonprofit Collaboration of the Year
Winners: Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness

2018 Judges

Eric Daniels, Partner, Robinson & Cole LLP

David Garvey, Director, Nonprofit Leadership Program and Adjunct Professor, Department of Public Policy, UConn

Susan D. Sadecki, President & CEO, Main Street Community Foundation

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