80 Years of History: Part 1

New Britain, Conn., March 31, 2021 – As the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain celebrates its 80th year in 2021, they are looking back on the rich history and donors that helped them grow to be the Foundation that they are today providing impact in the Greater New Britain community and beyond.

In 1941, industry in New Britain was humming. War was raging in Europe, and the United States was both supplying England and rearming itself as fast as it could. Machine tools, bearings, hardware, small appliances, and more were in great demand and New Britain was in the thick of meeting that demand.

On December 3, 1941, the New Britain Herald published a story on the formation of the New Britain Foundation for Public Giving. “The announcement states the new organization is based on two purposes: to provide means whereby individuals and corporations may contribute extra amounts to the Community Chest and charitable agencies in prosperous years and lesser amounts in periods of depression without making it necessary for the agencies of the Community Chest to be handicapped at times when their services are most needed, and to provide a channel through which persons can bequeath funds to be used for the needs of the community that may be most pressing from year to year without limiting the use of their money to any particular agency or agencies.” To view the entire article from 1941, CLICK HERE.

New Britain Industrialists established the New Britain Foundation for Public Giving with a gift of $7,500 from the New Britain Machine Company to accrue funds to support the community. The foundation’s purpose was “to ensure that those who were in need would be helped even in times of economic weakness.” Later, the New Britain Machine Company gifted an additional $7,500 and Stanley Works gave 100 shares of Hart and Cooley stock, worth about $9,500 at the time. In 1942, Herbert H. Pease, New Britain Machine Company President, was elected chairperson of the Foundation’s Distribution Committee.

In December 1944, Stanley Works gifted another 270 shares of Hart and Cooley stock worth roughly $30,300 to the Foundation. A portion was designated to the “General Fund” and the rest to the “Emergency Fund”. Louis W. Young, former Chief Financial Officer of Stanley Works, was then elected as the new chairperson.

A few years later in 1949, the Foundation granted $164,000 to the New Britain General Hospital building fund, and in 1956, the Foundation granted $25,000 to another New Britain General Hospital drive and $10,000 to help establish what was to become the New Britain Youth Museum. In 1959, Julian C. Pease, former President and Chairman of the Board of New Britain Machine Company, was elected chairperson.

Maurice Stanley, former President of Fafnir Bearing Company, passed away in 1967 and left 10% of his estate in a bequest to the Foundation. In 1972, Herb Carlson Sr., who was instrumental in the establishment of the Foundation, pointed out that reorganization needed to take place in order for the Foundation to succeed. The Foundation became of member of the Council on Foundations, a nonprofit leadership association of grant making foundations and corporations. The Council’s mission is to provide the opportunity, leadership, and tools needed by philanthropic organizations to expand, enhance, and sustain their ability to advance the common good.

In 1974, Alfred G. Way, former Treasurer of the Fafnir Bearing Company, gifted $150,000 to the Foundation, helping the growth of the endowment. As the Foundation continued to grow and make changes, Julian Pease and Stanley Hart announced their retirement from the committee, and John Manning of the New Britain Bank & Trust Company was elected chairperson.
In the mid-eighties, the need among nonprofits escalated and subsequently, the Foundation expanded its service boundaries to “greater” New Britain (Berlin, Plainville and Southington). The Foundation continued to receive substantial gifts and bequests from individuals, families, businesses and organizations, often to establish new funds and scholarships, and by 1990, the endowment reached a high of $3 million. Upcoming articles during this anniversary year of the Foundation will explore the continued growth and impact of the Foundation from the 1990’s to the present.

Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is “Where Good Begins” in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. The Foundation works to inspire philanthropy, responsibly manage permanent charitable assets, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership.