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
  • Renter Wealth Building
  • Early Wealth Building including Baby Bonds

Upcoming Events

Check back soon for information on upcoming events.

CLICK HERE for more information and resources from our past events.

Join our mailing list to stay informed of Connecticut AFN updates and events.

Learn About AFN Membership

Upcoming Events

Steering Committee

Yolanda Caldera-Durant

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven

Terence Floyd

Wells Fargo

Kate Reeves

The Connecticut Project

Sheena Strawter-Anthony

William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund

Leah Mayor

Senior Director

AFN Staff

Chapter Highlights

Building Wealth For Connecticut Renters

On May 15, 2026, Connecticut AFN and an exciting line-up of speakers came together for a virtual meeting to learn about building wealth for Connecticut renters.

We are grateful to our speakers for sharing their time and expertise:
  • Katie Deal, Vice President, Lafayette Square Institute
  • Maryam Elahi, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
  • Coralys Santana, Campaign Manager, The Connecticut Project

Connecticut Direct Cash Assistance Pilots Directly Support Family Financial Security

On March 6, 2026, Connecticut AFN and an exciting line-up of speakers came together for an in-person meeting to learn about and support Guaranteed Income in Connecticut.

Some of the key ideas that came from the discussion, included:

  • The importance of investing in direct cash as a tool to build trust in government, philanthropy, and non-profit sector.
  • That trust is bi-directional and starts by trusting people to know what they need.
  • Important to underscore that direct cash is effective only as part of a larger ecosystem of supports and strong safety net.
  • Being poor is expensive and a “full time job”.
  • The amount of money we need to stabilize families is achievable.
  • The important connection of GI to other CT programs like Baby Bonds.

Full meeting description, resources, and speaker list can be found here.

The Rent is Too High! Rent Burden Competes with Other Necessities

On December 11, 2025, Asset Funders Network and Deutsche Bank hosted an AFN Cross-Regional Renter Wealth Building Meeting to learn about focused efforts to support renters. We discussed specific ways to support renters by focused efforts to provide emergency savings and expanding access and take-up of vital policies. The Panel was followed-by Q&A on rent burden and how network members are investing in understanding the problem and thinking about solutions. Learn more and watch the recording here.

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

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.