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April 2, 2020

With Lamont’s backing, CT serial entrepreneurs launch charity to support nonprofits impacted by pandemic

Photo | CT Food Bank A new charity has been formed to help nonprofits responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, including local food banks.
By Greg Bordonaro

Gov. Ned Lamont said a group of Connecticut-based philanthropists have established a new charitable organization to support nonprofits that are serving those impacted by the pandemic.
 
The Connecticut COVID-19 Charity Connection – also known as 4-CT – is an independent, 501(c)3 organization that is raising money to support the state’s frontline providers who are serving all areas impacted by the crisis. 
 
The charity, which has already raised $10 million, was founded and is being led by  Don Kendall (CEO) and Ted Yang (COO). Some projects it’s working on include helping food banks and supporting childcare for medical personnel. 

 Don Kendall

Kendall and Yang are both involved with Social Venture Partners Connecticut, which is a philanthropy network. 
 
Kendall is a board member. According to his biography, he is a serial entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded four startups, including the largest restaurant company in central Europe, with a $3-billion market cap and 40,000 employees.
 
Yang is an active digital startup angel investor and advisor and is currently the chief technology officer and founder of MediaCrossing Inc., an independent digital media trading partner serving publishers, marketers and agencies.

As part of its efforts, 4-CT has launched the 4-CT Statewide COVID-19 Relief Fund, administered by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. 
 
The fund is soliciting donations from individuals and institutional funders across the state and has already assisted with several projects that are being funded by Raj and Indra Nooyi and other leading philanthropists, Lamont said.
 

Ted Yang

Indra Nooyi and Lamont are long-time friends and Lamont named Nooyi board co-chair of AdvanceCT, which helps the state with economic development.
 
Last month, the Hartford Foundation announced it launched a $1 million fund to respond to the needs of Greater Hartford residents impacted by the COVID-19 virus crisis.
  
“The COVID-19 crisis is unprecedented and requires many different groups to come together,” Kendall and Yang said in a joint statement. “We are humbled by this opportunity to be of service to our state by providing a valuable connection between donors and important statewide projects that will help those in need.”
 
For more information about the charity click here.

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