By Sanford Cloud Jr.
Mission: The Connecticut Health Foundation is the state’s largest independent health philanthropy dedicated to improving lives by changing health systems. The foundation focuses its resources on three program areas: improving access to children’s mental health services; reducing racial and ethnic health disparities; and expanding access to and utilization of children’s oral health services.
With this mission, CT Health aims to make qualitative and measurable differences in the health and well-being of individuals and families. The foundation actively strives to serve the unmet needs of the state and its communities and to be responsive to unserved and underserved populations.
Background: The foundation was created in 1999 when health maintenance organization ConnectiCare Inc., reorganized and converted into a for-profit entity. Under an agreement approved by the Connecticut attorney general, CT Health received 100 percent of the equity in ConnectiCare. Private investors purchased CT Health’s shares in January 2001, leaving CT Health with an initial endowment totaling $132 million. In June 2001, its board of directors made a commitment to examine the underlying causes of barriers to health care among the unserved and underserved by directing 5 percent of its endowment toward grant-making operations each year. Aside from directly supporting community-based grant proposals, CT Health fosters discussions surrounding public health issues through conferences, meetings, educational briefings, workshops, etc.
Unlike other types of philanthropies, CT Health receives no financial support from ConnectiCare and does not actively solicit donations from an individual or group of donors, or corporations. Foundation activities are supported through a prudent investment strategy designed to keep CT Health operational in perpetuity while honoring the IRS requirement to spend approximately 5 percent of its endowment on grant-making, other initiatives and operations each year.
Leadership:
Sanford Cloud Jr., board chair;
Corine Norgaard, vice chair and treasurer;
Marilyn Alverio, secretary;
Patricia Baker, president and CEO.
Contact information:
Connecticut Health Foundation
74 Vine St., New Britain, CT 06052
860-224-2200
www.cthealth.org
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Sanford Cloud Jr. is chairman of the board at The Connecticut Health Foundation.
Sanford Cloud Jr.
