Greater Hartford has hundreds of nonprofits, educational and cultural institutions that keep us healthy, support our most vulnerable populations, inspire our creativity and care for our historical treasures. These institutions are a critical economic engine and an integral part of our region’s civic fabric. By establishing and building endowments, they can secure their future and send a message of long-term stability, fiscal responsibility, and financial viability. 

Recognizing the importance of endowment giving, the Zachs Family Foundation has created a matching gift opportunity, Endow Hartford 21, to help build endowments for nonprofit organizations in the Greater Hartford region. More than 60 organizations were invited to participate, representing a broad spectrum of nonprofit services from health and human services to arts and culture. 

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (HFPG) and the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford (JCF) are collaborating to provide administrative support and in so doing, have helped to create a ‘first of its kind’ program, designed to incentivize endowment giving throughout the community. With a matching fund to stimulate giving, it is hoped that donors will be inspired to make gifts to multiple organizations, and thereby ensure the long-term stability of these vital institutions. The Endow Hartford 21 Match Program has been initially funded with $1 million from the Zachs Family Foundation. Other organizations and individuals are being approached for additional matching funds and to date, an additional $700,000 has been raised.

“I woke up Thanksgiving Day at 4 a.m. and thought ‘something is missing,’” says Henry Zachs, president of the Zachs Family Foundation, explaining how he came up with the idea for this new and innovative endowment campaign. “I came up with the idea for Endow Hartford 21 and it has evolved into something truly remarkable and unique. In total, 51 organizations have signed on to participate. With multiple organizations spreading the word about this special opportunity, I believe we will achieve “cross-pollination” of the donors, to the benefit of every organization that participates. It will help raise awareness of the critical work being done in our community. Many will learn of worthy nonprofits they never knew existed. This is something Hartford is ready for and can be proud to be a part of.” 

The five-member Advisory Board of Endow Hartford 21, JoAnn Price, Marilda Gándara, David Miller, Henry Zachs and Eric Zachs, will help guide this remarkable philanthropic endeavor. Additionally, all donors will be recognized on the Endow Hartford 21 website through a designated “honor roll” that lists donors by giving range, but which especially highlights those who make gifts to multiple participating organizations. 

Endow Hartford 21 stands out not only for its uniqueness and the impressive breadth of agencies it will benefit, but also for bringing together Hartford’s two leading foundations in a community-wide campaign for the very first time.

“The Jewish Community Foundation is privileged to support Henry’s vision to help endow Greater Hartford’s non-profits, to ensure they remain vibrant and vital for generations to come,” says Jacob Schreiber, president and CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford. “It’s amazing how Henry continues to initiate campaigns – without being asked – because of the values he grew up with, his tireless entrepreneurial spirit, and his belief that the world becomes a better place only when people act in a determined fashion.”

Jay Williams, president of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving agrees, noting, “The Endow Hartford 21 initiative is a wonderful opportunity for our community. We are grateful to the Zachs family and the other matching donors and are pleased to support the effort to enhance the financial stability of so many vital organizations across Greater Hartford.” 

How to contribute to the campaign

The more matching funds raised, the greater the matching opportunity. A larger matching fund will help the organizations increase their endowments. If you are interested in becoming a Lead Donor to the general matching fund, please contact Sara or Henry directly.

The Endow Hartford 21 Match Program will run for a minimum of 1 year, beginning June 1, 2021. The program will match gifts between $250 to $10,000 per donor per organization made by an individual, family, foundation, business, or corporation. Donors are encouraged to give to multiple participating organizations. Pledges alone will not qualify for the match. Gifts may be made by check, credit card, or gifts of appreciated stock.

The participating organizations have chosen either the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving or the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford to administer the funds. Visit www.EndowHartford21.com for more information on how to make a gift to one or more organizations. Gifts must be paid by the donor directly to the Hartford Foundation or Jewish Community Foundation for the benefit of the donor’s chosen organization(s). All gifts will be unrestricted for the benefit of the participating organizations.

For a full list of participating organizations see the list to the right or visit the Endow 21 website. 

For more information about Endow Hartford 21, contact Sara Gelpke at sgelpke@mcmgmt.com, or 860-727-5733, or Henry Zachs at hzachs@mcmgmt.com or 860-306-2787. 

For information regarding the administration of the funds, contact:

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
Deborah Rothstein
Phone: 860-463-5233
Email: DRothstein@hfpg.org
Website: https://www.hfpg.org

Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford
Kathryn Gonnerman
Phone: 413-475-0415
Email: KGonnerman@jcfhartford.org
Website: https://www.jcfhartford.org

ENDOW HARTFORD 21 LIST OF
PARTICIPATING AGENCIES

American School for the Deaf
Bushnell Park Foundation
Charter Oak Cultural Center
Chrysalis Center, Inc.
Connecticut Explored, Inc.
Connecticut Food Bank/Foodshare
Connecticut Historical Society
Connecticut Science Center
Covenant Preparatory School
CT Immigrant Refugee Coalition (CIRC)
Dignity Grows
Elizabeth Park Conservancy
Federation Homes
Friends of Keney Park
Girls for Technology
Grace Academy
Harc, Inc.
Hartford Artisan’s Weaving Center
Hartford Promise
Hartford Public Library
Hartford Stage
Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Hartford Youth Scholars
Hebrew Senior Care
Hill-Stead Museum
Hispanic Health Council
Intensive Education Academy
Interval House
Jewish Association for Community Living
Jewish Family Services
Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford
Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford
Jewish Teen Learning Connection (JTConnect)
JFACT Fund
Mandell Jewish Community Center (JCC)
New England Jewish Academy
Oak Hill School
Our Piece of the Pie
Playhouse Theatre Group
Real Art Ways
Renbrook School
Riverfront Recapture
San Juan Center
Solomon Schechter Day School
The Amistad Center for Art & Culture
The Children’s Museum
The Mark Twain House & Museum
The Village for Families & Children
TheaterWorks
Urban League of Greater Hartford
Voices of Hope