80 Years of History: Part 2

New Britain, Conn., June 24, 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 a positive impact in the Greater New Britain community and beyond. This article explores the Foundation’s progress in the late 80’s through the 90’s.

After New Britain industrialists established the Foundation in 1941, the need among nonprofits escalated. In the late eighties, 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.

In 1990, the Foundation hired its first staff member, Natalie Pollock, as Director of Development. A few years later, the first Executive Director, Mary Ellen Powell, was hired in 1994. Other staff members hired were Donna Roy McKenty, Director of Finance and Administration (1994-1998), Lisbeth Kosenski, Administrative Assistant (1995), Susan Rathgeber, Director of Development and Communications (1996-2003), Cathy Tichow, Director of Program (1998-2001), Cheryl Farmer, Donor Relations Manager (1999-2015), Rachel Long, Administrative Assistant (1999-2005), Wendi Shook, Manager of General Accounting and Financial Reporting (1999-2004), and Joeline Wruck, who started in 1997 as the Director of Program and today is still with the Foundation as the Director of Community Initiatives and Program Services.

Alix Welch Stanley was once the President of the Stanley Level & Rule Company (known today as Stanley Black & Decker). A descendant of the original proprietors of a large section of land known as Stanley Quarter, Alix was a major benefactor for New Britain. He gave the city a 400-acre piece of land that was turned into an 18-hole golf course, a city swimming pool, and what is now known as Stanley Park.

In 1994, the Alix W. Stanley Charitable Foundation and the New Britain Foundation for Public Giving embarked on a five-year plan to merge. The A. W. Stanley Charitable Foundation was established in 1943 with an initial gift of $2,000. By the time the two Foundations merged, the A. W. Stanley Charitable Foundation had grown to over $22 million.
Up until the nineties, most of the Foundation’s funds were discretionary. The Foundation embarked on a purposeful plan to increase its assets by defining various types of funds that donors could establish, as well as encouraging both current and planned gifts. Soon after, the Foundation’s first scholarships were established.

Woody Exley established the Alma Exley Scholarship Fund in 1995, in memory of his late wife. Alma was a dedicated educator within the Connecticut Department of Education and a tireless advocate for diversity in the teaching profession. Before her death in 1995, Alma asked her family to establish a scholarship program to carry on her work. Each year, one scholarship provides financial support and recognition to a student of color admitted to a traditional teacher preparation program at a Connecticut college or university.

In January of 2021, State Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona was named to lead the U.S. Department of Education by President Joe Biden. Cardona was the 1998 recipient of the Alma Exley Scholarship. Twenty-three years after awarding a meaningful scholarship, the impact of the award is still prevalent.

Upcoming articles during this anniversary year of the Foundation will explore the continued growth and impact of the Foundation, as well as goals for the future of the Greater New Britain communities. To learn more about the Foundation’s Anniversary plans, visit www.cfgnb.org.

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.