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president's message
The Hartford Courant Foundation committed nearly $800,000 to
greater Hartford in 2007. We continued to focus our grants on programs that
support children and their families, in the areas of health and social services,
arts, community development, and education. Our assets continued to make modest
gains in the past year, and we hope this trend will continue so we can continue
to expand our grants programs. Unfortunately, the need continues to exceed the
means available; we must do all we can to spend wisely and leverage our dollars
where we can. Greater Hartford is fortunate to have many diverse excellent
non-profit organizations working for the greater good. We will continue to offer
support to those that are steadfast in their missions, effective in their
programs, and efficient in their operations.
As I begin the second year of my presidency of the Hartford Courant Foundation,
I am pleased to report that Christopher R. Skomowrowski has agreed to take on
the position of Vice President, with the expectation that he will become the
President of the Foundation in 2009. He takes this on in addition to being an
important member of the Finance Committee, as well as serving on the Evaluation
Committee. We greatly appreciate his commitment to the organization and the work
it does.
In 2008, the Finance Committee completed the task of selecting a new investment
advisor for the Foundation endowment. That choice has been a good one, and our
assets exceeded $18.5 million at the end of 2007. With the economy entering into
uncharted waters, we will keep a careful watch on the assets and seek to retain
the value we have achieved. This is even more important as the economy creates
new and increased challenges in the populations we serve.
We look forward to a year of growth and challenge in 2008.
Toni Smith-Rosario, President, Board of Trustees
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