Nonprofit Notebook: Eversource sends $2.2M to United Way, other nonprofits

HBJ File Photo Eversource offices in downtown Hartford.

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Eversource is hastening its annual $1.2 million donation to United Way agencies in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire and tacking on an extra $1 million.

Connecticut beneficiaries of the Eversource Foundation’s donation will include the 4-CT Statewide COVID-19 Relief Fund -- which launched earlier this month and is administered by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving -- and the Connecticut United Way’s COVID Response Fund.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the critical social services provided by nonprofits across our states are increasingly important, with people facing financial hardship and other challenges, said Eversource Chairman, President and CEO Jim Judge. “There are many worthy charitable organizations across our region that are working to ensure that everyone has the support they need, and we’re grateful for all of our community partners and the important work they do throughout our region.”

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Hartford Foundation’s coronavirus fund issues second round of grants

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s COVID-19 relief fund has awarded a second batch of grants to area nonprofits totaling $1.1 million.

The largest beneficiaries include Operation Fuel, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center and The Village for Families and Children ($150,000).

Grants worth $100,000 were also awarded to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation, Hands on Hartford, Hispanic Health Council and Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. Twelve other grants ranged between $7,500 to $38,886.

The foundation seeded the relief fund with an initial $1 million, and said it expects to add another $5.4 million to the fund via donations through the end of May.

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UHart hosts Hartford first responders

The University of Hartford is hosting up to 200 Hartford city workers who are currently responding to the coronavirus pandemic crisis.

So far about eight police officers, firefighters and other city employees deemed essential staff took advantage of UHart's housing in the first week the university started offering it, said Dean of Students Aaron Isaacs.

"We're really proud of this partnership with the city, and it's the right thing to do," said Isaacs, who added that the partnership was formed after UHart President Greg Woodward spoke with Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin about how UHart's largely unoccupied campus space could be useful to first responders.

Woodward announced on March 12 that the university would move to all-online coursework through the end of the semester, which ends in May.

UHart, like most colleges and universities, is facing a difficult financial situation, as the move to online forces them to refund money for housing and residential services like parking and dining.

"I am extremely grateful to the many people who are working tirelessly to enable UHart to make this contribution to the health, safety, and wellness of our larger community, and to Mayor Bronin for his leadership as we confront this challenge together," UHart President Greg Woodword said.

City employees living on UHart's campus will stay at the university's Hawk Hall and Park River student apartment complexes, according to UHart. Placing them there keeps the first responders separate from the few students unable to return home before the semester ends.

While fewer than 10 people have so far taken advantage of the housing -- for which they call ahead and are left a key for an on-campus apartment -- Isaacs said they still have plenty of space for essential staff in case of a surge in COVID-19 cases in Hartford.

"[If coronavirus cases] pick up in the Hartford area, we wanted to have some space ready," Isaacs said.

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Max Cares Foundation donates $25K in groceries to hospitality workers

Max Cares Foundation Inc. has donated $25,000 to feed restaurant and hospitality workers laid off because of business closings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Thursday, the nonprofit group distributed about 500 bags of free groceries to unemployed hospitality workers at Max Burger in West Hartford, 124 LaSalle Road.

The foundation was established in 2015, and is aimed at providing financial assistance to charitable giving nonprofits, and scholarships to individuals pursuing degrees in the culinary and hospitality industries.