New Britain, Conn. (May 2, 2011) – Residents of Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington interested in creating a bright future for their community and being part of a dynamic, involved group of leaders are encouraged to attend the 2011 Catalyst Fund kick-off meeting on Wednesday, May 25th at the Plainville Public Library auditorium from 5:30-7:30pm to learn more about joining The Catalyst Fund and about this year’s grant focus topic.
Now in its ninth year, The Catalyst Fund is a giving circle of donors interested in helping improve the quality of life in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. Membership in Catalyst is available with a modest annual investment of $250 per individual or couple. Members pool their resources to learn about important issues facing our communities and jointly choose and award an annual grant to a nonprofit that is tackling that issue.
Keith Bova, Transportation Manager for Rexel USA and eight-year member of Catalyst, will serve as Chairman for the 2011 Catalyst Fund. Bova has served on the Catalyst Fund Steering Committee for four years. At the May 25th meeting, Catalyst Fund current and prospective members will gain insight into the topic of financial literacy and responsibility, and its impact on our community, from experts Ellen Carter and Christine Traczyk.
Carter is the Program Director for the Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS). In 2008, through CAHS, she created the Connecticut Money School; a statewide free financial education program for adults and seniors. Traczyk is the Community Development Manager for TD Bank covering Connecticut, Massachusetts & Rhode Island. She has more than 25 years experience in Community Development including hands-on work in the areas of affordable housing development and financing, neighborhood strategic planning, loan fund management, homeownership programs and financial literacy. Traczyk is the Chair of the Board, Friendship Service Center of New Britain, and is a member of the Local Initiative Support Corporation State Advisory Committee.
“Each year, members of Catalyst select an area of focus for grant making that addresses needs in the Greater New Britain area. This year’s focus on financial literacy and responsibility was chosen by our group as an area of critical importance that rarely gets taught in schools or in the community,” explains Bova. “After the presentations we will know more about what direction we wish to take with the topic and put out a call for grant applications.”
To attend the Catalyst Fund kick-off meeting on May 25th, RSVP to Karlyn Jackson at kjackson@cfgnb.org or call 860-229-6018, ext. 300. (Non-members may attend as a guest to learn more.)
About The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain
Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain connects donors who care with causes that matter in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. It does this by raising resources and developing partnerships that make a measurable improvement in the quality of life in each of these communities. www.cfgnb.org
Catalyst Fund Contact:
To learn more about Catalyst Fund membership please contact CFGNB Donor Relations Manager, Cheryl Farmer at 860- 229-6018 x 305, cfarmer@cfgnb.org .
Media Contact:
Mary Engvall, Andrea Obston Marketing Communications
m.e.marketing@comcast.net
860.205.3519
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