NEW REGION!
Connecticut AFN connects funders and their peers in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. Together they share promising programs and smart strategies, gather knowledge to make their grantmaking more effective, and work to increase investments in asset building. Connecticut actively collaborates with the Greater New York and New Jersey chapters, cultivating an impactful three-region partnership.
Membership is open to funders (including invited intermediaries) who invest in a range of initiatives that build assets for Connecticut residents, from early childhood education, college access, or workforce development to health, financial education, or micro-enterprise.
Contact Leah Mayor for membership opportunities.
Regional Focus Areas
- Financial Health & Financial Opportunity
- Housing
- Baby Bonds and supportive financial health infrastructure
- Small Business Ownership
Upcoming Events
May 14 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT : Regional Renter Wealth Building
In predominantly renter-based markets across the Northeast, housing-related financial strain remains a significant barrier to household stability and long-term economic security. Yet innovative models are … REGISTER
May 20 @ 1:00 pm - 2:45 pm EDT : Investing in the Future We Want: Leading Transformation in Uncertain Times
The Great Depression, the Great Recession, and, more recently, the COVID-19 Pandemic are among the many pivotal times where economic uncertainty led to advancement and … REGISTER
CLICK HERE for more information and resources from our past events.
Upcoming Events
Steering Committee
Hartford Foundation
The Tudor Foundation
Wells Fargo
William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
Chapter Highlights
Innovations in Baby Bonds
Nearly 300 Funders, Scholars and Practitioners Gather for Baby Bond Discussion
On January 16, 2025, the Asset Funders Network (AFN) and The New School Institute on Race Policy and Political Economy hosted Innovations in Baby Bonds at the New York Federal Reserve Bank, featuring new research from Stanford University on how Baby Bonds and direct cash assistance, when paired together, amplify impact.
And what happens when Baby bonds and Guaranteed Income are paired together? They create a powerful, scalable tool to disrupt the birth lottery and expand economic opportunity. Read the latest AFN Short Take for key insights from this critical discussion.
How We Work
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Inform: Our members learn from each other and from other organizations as they seek solutions to local challenges in underserved areas and focus on increasing their impact. The chapter hosts funder forums to explore asset-building strategies with both local leaders and national experts that builds knowledge and serves as an information resource to grantmakers and the asset-building field.
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Connect: We highlight promising practices, key issues, and innovations in the field through funder-only dialogues as well as other convenings. Members provide an insightful East Coast voice to develop and expand the networks of funders for peer-to-peer learning, as well as cross-sector and collaborative efforts and inform national conversations.
- Influence: We engage key stakeholders to grow their knowledge and support. This includes efforts to raise the visibility of asset-building within the broader community of foundations, public-sector funders, and financial institutions on issues such as financial coaching, work and wealth, children’s savings accounts, and closing the wealth gaps.
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Build: We seek to build the number of grantmakers and resources focused on strategies and investments for low and moderate income people to build and protect assets increasing economic opportunities and prosperity. AFN staff spend time one-on-one with local grantmakers to learn, share, encourage participation, align strategies, and increase ROI.
