A Piece of the Community’s Past Comes Home

United Way of New Britain and Berlin Announce New Name and Affiliation

(February 3, 2009) – The United Way of New Britain and Berlin has reclaimed a part of its past and taken an important step into the community’s future with a new name and affiliation. After a year-long process, the organization’s Board of Directors has voted to separate its affiliation with the Harford-based United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and form a new affiliation with the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain. As part of this transition, the organization will once again be known by its former name: The Community Chest of New Britain and Berlin, Inc.

“Our board is very excited about this new affiliation with the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain (CFGNB). We believe strongly that it is a win-win for everyone,” said Lucinda Antonacci, Board chair of the Community Chest. “The Community Foundation will offer the expertise, support and strong local commitment to ensure the protection of the Community Chest’s assets for the present and future benefit of New Britain and Berlin,” said Antonacci, who is vice president of Farmington Savings Bank.

The Community Chest’s transformation from the United Way of New Britain and Berlin was prompted by a shift in the United Way of America’s policy regarding smaller affiliate organizations. Faced with its loss of status as a United Way affiliate, the Board looked at its options and chose to become a ‘supporting organization’ of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain (CFGNB).

CFGNB President Jim Williamson is delighted with the relationship. “We will be providing the Community Chest with key services and expertise to ensure its continued growth and vitality. We’ll help them develop a formal grant-making process and strategy for giving, help manage their assets and investments, and provide administrative services,” he explained. Williamson said the Community Chest will become CFGNB’s second largest fund and one of the largest of its kind in the Greater New Britain area. It currently has $3.2 million in assets. As a supporting organization, the Community Chest will retain its status as a separate 501(c) 3 nonprofit corporation and enjoy complete independence in their grant making.

Antonacci said CFGNB’s management resources, “Will allow the Community Chest to concentrate our efforts where they belong – in the community. We believe that our affiliation with CFGNB, which is a major, trusted presence in the community, will allow those we serve to continue to look towards us as local funding resource in perpetuity.”

Long-time area residents may remember the Community Chest as a source of philanthropy as far back as the 1930s and 40s. In fact, when CFGNB’s predecessor, the New Britain Foundation for Public Giving, was first incorporated in 1941, it had a very close relationship with the then-Community Chest. Williamson said that according to CFGNB’s archival records, the New Britain Foundation for Public Giving was organized – in part – to provide a ‘safety net’ for the Annual Community Chest Campaign so that, in bad economic times, the New Britain Foundation could assist with a contribution to make up for any losses.  Furthermore, the Community Chest Executive Director also served as the “Secretary” to the New Britain Foundation for Public Giving’s Distribution Committee.  That arrangement lasted until the New Britain Foundation hired its own staff person in the late 1980s.  The two organizations also shared a building at one time. 

The Board of the “new” Community Chest has embarked on a transition planning process, which is expected to reach completion in this spring.

About the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain
The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain connects donors who care with causes that matter in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. Established in 1941, the Community Foundation raises resources and develops partnerships that make a measurable improvement in the quality of life in each of these communities. For more information, please visit www.cfgnb.org or call 860-229-6018.

Media Contact
Susan Lewis (860) 243-1447 (office), (860) 798-8909 (cell),
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