
Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.
Endow Hartford 21 seeks to inspire donors to give generously to support the long-term future of the organizations they love.
Endow Hartford 21 is a first-of-its-kind endowment matching program, benefiting 51 nonprofit organizations in Greater Hartford. It was initiated by Henry Zachs and the Zachs Family Foundation last November and launched in the middle of the Covid pandemic. Henry woke up at 4 AM on Thanksgiving Day and thought that something was missing in Greater Hartford philanthropy. He felt that more nonprofit organizations needed to secure their futures with endowment. An endowment creates a long- term resource that helps nonprofits sustain their missions during periods of revenue fluctuations. Henry gathered a team and together they created the Endow Hartford 21 program, which launched June 1, 2021.
The Zachs Family Foundation funded the first $1 million for the match, and Henry has been working tirelessly to raise more. The total matching fund as of September 1st is $1,680,000. The goal is $3 million in matching funds. The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford have been integral to this program. Each of the 51 organizations chose one or both foundations to administer their new Endowment funds. The program will match gifts of up to $10,000 per donor per organization made by an individual, family, foundation, business, or corporation. All gifts are made directly to the organizations’ foundations of choice. Pledges alone will not qualify for the match. Gifts will be matched 1:2; for example, a $1,000 gift will qualify the organization to receive a $500 match, for a total gift of $1,500 to their Endowment fund. Endow Hartford 21 encourages people to “Think Community” and give to as many organizations as they can.
There are two ways to support Endow Hartford 21. The first is giving to the Matching Fund as a Lead Donor, in denominations of $10,000 or more. These funds are critical to enabling the program to match and multiply gifts. The second way to support Endow Hartford 21 is by giving to one or more of the 51 individual agencies’ EH21 funds. Checks are made payable to the agencies’ foundation of choice (HFPG or JCF). The list can be found on our website www.EndowHartford21.com. We are grateful for every gift!
Endow Hartford 21 was created amid the pandemic. As we all navigated the uncertain times and challenges of Covid this past year, annual support from the community was critical to survival for nonprofit organizations. While annual support remains crucial, we simultaneously recognize the need for organizations to build for the future. The success of the program so far is indicative that the match may be extended beyond June and continue to grow well after the pandemic. The benefits of endowment will far outlive the pandemic for these 51 agencies, and this is the moment to build for the future.
“We are pleased to support Endow Hartford 21, because endowment is vital to our community organizations and their long-term success. I support the match to encourage every organization. This is a community effort, and we all have an important role to play.”
--Mary & Ed Budd
Year established: 2021
Annual revenues (most recent fiscal year): So far, the 51 participating organizations have raised $370,410 from their own constituencies, to be matched. Endow Hartford 21 has raised $1,680,000 in matching funds for the 51 organizations.
Greater Hartford
Foundations: 54%
Private Donors: 39%
Corporations: 7%
40 Woodland Street, Hartford CT 06105
860-727-5733
The Hartford Business Journal 2025 Charity Event Guide is the annual resource publication highlighting the top charity events in 2025.
Learn moreHartford Business Journal provides the top coverage of news, trends, data, politics and personalities of the area’s business community. Get the news and information you need from the award-winning writers at HBJ. Don’t miss out - subscribe today.
SubscribeDelivering vital marketplace content and context to senior decision-makers throughout Connecticut ...
All Year Long!
The Hartford Business Journal 2025 Charity Event Guide is the annual resource publication highlighting the top charity events in 2025.
Hartford Business Journal provides the top coverage of news, trends, data, politics and personalities of the area’s business community. Get the news and information you need from the award-winning writers at HBJ. Don’t miss out - subscribe today.
Delivering vital marketplace content and context to senior decision-makers throughout Connecticut ...
All Year Long!
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Our privacy policy
To ensure the best experience on our website, articles cannot be read without allowing cookies. Please allow cookies to continue reading. Our privacy policy