Our History

Our history

In March 2020, during the height of the pandemic, 4-CT was born out of the emergent need to align philanthropic efforts and look for new ways to tackle the health and economic disparities of Connecticut’s most vulnerable populations. With the support of Governor Ned Lamont, our initial programs focused on addressing gaps in the state and federal respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During that time, 4-CT provided $14 million in grants to help frontline, nonprofit organizations meet the surge in demand, scale up successful strategies, or develop solutions when needed. Inspired by other COVID-19 relief efforts across the country, we also developed the 4-CT Card program. The 4-CT Card program, administered via prepaid Mastercards, provided over $4 million in unrestricted, no-strings-attached cash assistance to individuals in need.

As we emerged from the intensity of the first two years of the pandemic, we knew that many communities were not on the path to recovery. Our work continued, prioritizing direct cash assistance and building upon lessons learned in those early years.

“During this unprecedented public health crisis, we have seen incredible courage and acts of generosity by countless members of our community. 4-CT is a never-before-seen coordinated effort to link philanthropists, donors, and community foundations to the needs of our residents, as we all work together to get through this COVID-19 pandemic. We will ge through this together, and 4-CT will act as a vital tool to help provide much needed outside investment to keep our programs and services stable during this tenuous time.”

— Ned Lamont, Connecticut State Governor

    • Quarantine and Isolation

    • Essential Worker Support

    • Small Business Support

    • Undocumented Assistance

    • Vaccine Equity

    • Emergency Assistance

    • Basic Needs

    • Achievement First - VIRTUAL SUMMER SCHOOL FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLERS

    • Angel of Edgewood - SERVING MEALS TO HARTFORD’S MOST VULNERABLE

    • Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) - HELPING THOSE WHO KEEP US HEALTHY

    • Center for Advanced Policing (CAP) at University of New Haven - COMMUNITY POLICING TRAINING FOR NEW HAVEN POLICE DEPARTMENT

    • Charter Oak Communities - RENT RELIEF PILOT PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR

    • Circle of Care - RELIEF FOR FAMILIES OF PEDIATRIC CANCER

    • Clifford Beers - STATEWIDE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

    • Community Health Center Association of CT (CHCACT) - COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE

    • Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) - CONFRONTING FINANCIAL INSECURITY

    • Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) - ADDRESSING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STATEWIDE

    • Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness (CCEH) - HOMELESS SHELTER DIVERSION

    • Connecticut Fair Housing Center - LEGAL AID TO FAMILIES FACING EVICTION AND FORECLOSURE

    • Connecticut Foodshare - GETTING FOOD TO WHERE IT’S NEEDED

    • Connecticut Health Foundation - COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS AND CONTACT TRACING

    • EdAdvance - SUPPORTING HOME-BASED CHILDCARE FOR FRONTLINE AND ESSENTIAL WORKERS

    • Food Rescue US - DELIVERING MEALS TO THOSE WHO NEED THEM

    • Future 5 - SAFE AND QUIET REMOTE STUDY SPACE FOR STAMFORD-AREA COLLEGE STUDENTS

    • Havenly Treats - WORKING WITH IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES TO FIGHT HUNGER

    • Junta for Progressive Action - COORDINATED SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NEW HAVEN FAMILIES IN CRISIS

    • Leadership, Education and Athletics in Partnership, Inc. (LEAP) - COMPREHENSIVE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMING FOR KIDS IN NEW HAVEN

    • Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) - ECONOMIC SUPPORT AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

    • Nuvance Health - ON THE FRONT LINES

    • PT Partners - COMMUNITY ADVOCACY IN BRIDGEPORT PUBLIC HOUSING

    • ReadyCT - PEER MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS FOR RECENT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

    • Salvation Army of Southern New England - COMBATING HUNGER IN THE STATE’S HARDEST-TO-REACH PLACES

    • Scholastic - COMBATING SCHOOL CLOSURES

    • Spanish Community of Wallingford (SCOW) - PARTNERSHIP FOR STRONG COMMUNITIES

    • The Partnership for Strong Communities - PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS

    • United Way of Connecticut - HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS

    • Women’s Mentoring Network (WMN) - TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION FOR LOW-INCOME WOMEN IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY