Stories of Philanthropic Leadership in Advancing Regional and ...

I. E. BUILDING COALITIONTHROUGH KNOWLEDGE:CENTEREDGE PROJECTFunders Highlighted:Catholic Campaign for Human DevelopmentHartford Foundation for Public GivingEQUITABLE PUBLIC INVESTMENT“The project attempts to bridge the gap between‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ in the state of Connecticut,while using a methodology that respects the inputand initiative of grassroots communitiesthroughout the state of Connecticut.”— Father Robert Vitillo, CatholicCampaign for Human DevelopmentEnsuring the active participation of all members ofthe community—regardless of race, age, religion,language spoken, or socioeconomic background—ina visioning process and increasing public awarenessmakes it easier to strengthen networks and createimproved living conditions and quality of life for allresidents. This profile highlights two differentfoundations’ involvement at different points in anorganization’s efforts seeking to create statewidechanges to development decisions by creating crossissue,cross-cultural, cross-sector collaborations. Itdemonstrates how a national funder is sometimesneeded to get the ball rolling to allow for morestrategic involvement of local funders who can carrythe torch as a process gains momentum towardbecoming sustainable.Project ProfileThe Office of Urban Affairs (OUA) of theArchdiocese of Hartford commissioned andpublished in March 2003 a report with thoroughquantitative data, analysis, and policyrecommendations addressing a range of issuesrelated to development patterns, includingseparation by income, race, and fiscal inequity.This report, Connecticut Metropatterns: A RegionalAgenda for Community and Prosperity inConnecticut, was developed with the technicalassistance of Ameregis and its partner organization,Metropolitan Area Research Corporation(MARC).” 11Hartford, Conn., a small Northeastern city, is home to a population of morethan 120,000 residents. (© Stephen L. Roberts, www.ctcyber.com).The Office of Urban Affairs took the lead in effortsto disseminate and debate the report by organizingthe CenterEdge Coalition. An impassioned andthoughtful quote from President Abraham Lincoln,posted on CenterEdge’s materials and website,represents the spirit that drives this organization:“With public sentiment, nothing can fail; withoutit, nothing can succeed. Consequently he whomolds public sentiment goes deeper than he whoenacts statutes or pronounces decisions.”— Abraham Lincoln (First Lincoln-DouglasDebate, August 21, 1858)Funder InterestThe CenterEdge Project’s vision, objectives, and corevalues align with the Catholic Campaign for HumanDevelopment (CCHD). According to Father RobertVitillo, former executive director of CCHD, theProject “attempts to bridge the gap between ‘haves’and ‘have-nots’ in the state of Connecticut, as it usesa methodology that respects the input and initiativeof grassroots communities throughout the state ofConnecticut.”The Catholic Campaign for Human Development issupported primarily by parish collections takennationwide on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Thesefunds then support local empowerment projects. TheCCHD also has an educational component whosepurpose, according to Vitillo, is, “To teach Catholics11Ameregis is a research and geographic information systems firm with aclient base that includes federal, state, and local governments as well asuniversities, foundations, nonprofit organizations, and advocacy groups.For more information, visit www.ameregis.com.Part III: Section 1: Promoting Equitable Public Investment 38