Hartford Promise is a college success and workforce development organization that helps Hartford Public Schools graduates earn college degrees and launch successful careers. Through large scholarships, individualized coaching, career development and employer partnerships, Hartford Promise supports more than 450 college students annually and has celebrated more than 500 college graduates since 2020.
By connecting higher education to employment, Hartford Promise is developing Hartford’s next generation of business, healthcare, engineering, education and public service leaders.
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Tell us a bit about your recent accomplishments.
Over the past year, we have continued to evolve from a college scholarship organization into one of Connecticut’s leading college-to-career organizations. We launched and expanded Reaching Beyond, our workforce development initiative, helping our Scholars secure internships and early career roles through partnerships with corporate, nonprofit, healthcare and government employers.
In 2026, we also announced the $1 million Patricelli Scholars Leadership Program, the largest philanthropic gift in our organization’s history. This transformational, endowed program will help develop Hartford’s next generation of business, civic, nonprofit and community leaders for decades to come.
We are especially proud that our partnership with the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation has expanded our scholarship to up to $100,000 per student and was recently recognized by Fast Company as the fourth most innovative economic development initiative in the United States. It highlights the powerful connection between higher education, workforce development and economic mobility.
What are your plans for future growth?
Our focus is to strengthen Hartford’s workforce pipeline by deepening our college support services and expanding employer partnerships, internship opportunities and career pathways for our scholars. We will continue scaling Reaching Beyond, forge stronger collaborations with Connecticut businesses and help more graduates secure careers aligned with their degrees.
Check out the other 2026 Business Excellence Awards honorees
