United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Hartford, Connecticut. Founded in 1924, the organization has raised nearly $900 million over its century of service. It operates as a convener of private, public, municipal, and nonprofit sectors throughout its service region, mobilizing people and organizations to give, advocate, and volunteer to address community needs.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$21.9M

-1.2% YoY

Annual Giving

$2.8M

+13.7% YoY

Grant Count

51

+30.8% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$54K

-13.0% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The organization's strategic vision, branded as "Onward860," reflects a commitment to end poverty in all its forms by reducing disparities in four key areas:

  • Child Literacy — Including Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and United Way Readers programs
  • Wages — Through initiatives including ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), Free Tax Preparation Services, Workforce Solutions, Working Cities, and SingleCare
  • Housing & Basic Needs — Including rapid re-housing programs and response to homelessness
  • Life Expectancy — Through the North Hartford Triple Aim Collaborative

The organization also supports community impact grant funds aimed at reading, community impact, basic needs, rapid re-housing, and ALICE initiatives.

Grantmaking

The organization supports approximately 70+ nonprofit and municipal partner agencies.

Grant Range

Varies by program, from approximately $300 for individual cash assistance to organizational grants ranging widely (up to $2.8 million)

How to Apply

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut serves 56 towns in central and northeastern Connecticut, including:

  • Greater Hartford
  • New Britain
  • Windham
  • Enfield
  • The 860 region

The organization also has grantmaking activity in Iowa.

Grant Distribution by State

24states
+16 more states

Cities

AlbanyAlexandriaAtlantaAvonBethesdaBiddefordBloomfieldBooneBostonBranfordBridgeportBridgewaterBristolBurlingtonCantonChantillyCharlestonClarksburgClintonColumbus

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of Fiscal Year 2024:

  • Total assets: $21,865,726
  • Total revenues: $12,627,633
  • Total expenses: $12,201,195
  • Annual giving: $3,690,308
  • Staff: 43 employees
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$5M$9M$14M$18M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$21,865,726$22,131,987$29,196,738
Revenue$12,627,633$12,951,094$12,702,734
Expenses$12,201,195$10,808,890$10,377,094
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income$2,462,606$1,173,472$648,712
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$3M$6M$8M$11M168 grants2020139 grants202151 grants202239 grants202351 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

THE VILLAGE FOR FAMILIES…$275KCATHOLIC CHARITIES INC -…$164KHUMAN RESOURCES AGENCY O…$162KTHE SALVATION ARMY SOUTH…$127KUNITED WAY OF CENTRAL & …$100KCONNECTICUT FOODSHARE INC$97KOUR PIECE OF THE PIE (OPP)$95KSOUTH PARK INN INC$93KHISPANIC HEALTH COUNCIL …$78KCONNECTICUT COALITION TO…$75K

Grant Size Distribution

239 grants across all recorded years

146<$50K53$50–100K34$100–250K6$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Eric Harrison — President and CEO (recognized as a Hartford Business Journal C-Suite Award honoree in 2024)

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

ERIC HARRISONPRESIDENT AND CEO$203KJENNIFER BENGTSONCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER$156KJENNIFER GIFFORDSR VP OF IMPACT & ENG$144KMAURA COOKSR VP OF MKTG & DEV$142KHELEN BERGINDIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCE$126K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
ERIC HARRISONPRESIDENT AND CEO52$203,037
VITTORIA PACEIMMEDIATE PAST BOARD CHAIR (AS OF 2/24)1
PETE COLLINGSCHAIR (AS OF 2/24)1
IRENE BASSOCKVICE CHAIR (AS OF 1/24)1
PATRICK SAMPSONVICE CHAIR (TO 1/24)0.5
RICHARD TAVOLIERITREASURER1
JENNIFER BENGTSONCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER52$156,186
MICHAEL J AUSEREBOARD MEMBER (TO 3/24)0.5
ERICA DEANBOARD MEMBER (TO 6/24)0.3
LEIGH NEWMANBOARD MEMBER0.3
HUMBERTO HORMAZABOARD MEMBER (TO 4/24)0.3
JILL VICHIBOARD MEMBER0.3
MICHAEL GOLDBASBOARD MEMBER0.3
MONTEZ CARTERBOARD MEMBER (AS OF 9/23)0.3
DONALD ALLANBOARD MEMBER (AS OF 2/24)0.3
DONNA L SODIPOBOARD MEMBER (TO 5/23)0.3
CHARLES W BOGOIANBOARD MEMBER0.3
SHELLYE DAVISBOARD MEMBER0.3
RHONA FREEBOARD MEMBER (AS OF 6/24)0.3
VI R SMALLEY ESQBOARD MEMBER (AS OF 2/24)0.3
JENNIFER L SHANLEYBOARD MEMBER0.3
JAMES P O'MEARABOARD MEMBER0.3
STEVEN M LITCHFIELDBOARD MEMBER0.3
ROSHAN N PATELBOARD MEMBER (TO 3/24)0.3
SHARON WILLIAMSBOARD MEMBER0.3
BEATRIZ GUTIERREZSUCCESSOR VICE CHAIR (AS OF 2/24)0.3
VENTON B FORBESBOARD MEMBER0.3
MACKENZIE MANNINGBOARD MEMBER (AS OF 9/23)0.3
SARA-BETH SIDLABOARD MEMBER0.3
ANTONIO SANTIAGO JRCOMMITTEE MEMBER (AS OF 4/24)0.3
JENNIFER GIFFORDSR VP OF IMPACT & ENG52$143,737
MAURA COOKSR VP OF MKTG & DEV52$142,054
HELEN BERGINDIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCE40$125,624

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut received a $325,000 grant from the Travelers Foundation, as noted in recent organizational announcements.

United Way announces $180,000 in unrestricted grants - The Wahkiakum County

In response to a 13 percent rise in people in the region experiencing homelessness, United Way mobilized resources through a rapid response fund with the goal of keeping people secure or stabilizing housing.

United Way 2025-2027 Community Grants - United Way Blackhawk Region

The organization maintains an ALICE database and reports available at alice.ctunitedway.org.

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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