CFMC Meets Rigorous National Standards for Quality and Accountability

September 2012

Middletown, Connecticut – Philanthropy – Pure and Simple. It sounds easy, and with the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, it is. Working with the Community Foundation is simple, and allows individuals and businesses to participate in improving life in the community where they live, work, and play.

Collaboration with the Community Foundation of Middlesex County has an added benefit – an organization that provides a high level of trust and integrity in all that it does. The Community Foundation recently received notification that it has again met the nation’s highest philanthropic standards for community foundations. This means that your community foundation, the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, truly is “Helping Good People Do Great Things.” This seal of approval notice comes from the Community Foundations National Standards Board, the national accreditation organization out of Arlington, Virginia.

“This is similar to the Good Housekeeping Seal for community foundations,” said Daria Teutonico, Manager of the Community Foundations National Standards Board. “It states that the Community Foundation of Middlesex County has demonstrated a commitment to operational quality, integrity and accountability.”

The Community Foundation of Middlesex County received its first National Standards certification in 2006, one of the first community foundations in Connecticut to receive such designation. The certification renewal process occurs every five years and requires community foundations to perform a comprehensive evaluation of existing policies, materials, and financial changes which may have occurred since the previous certification. The National Standards certification is a badge of honor for the Community Foundation, providing assurance to donors, stakeholders, and nonprofits alike that the Community Foundation is working at the highest level of professionalism.

“This is critically important for our community and our stakeholders,” said Cynthia Clegg, Community Foundation of Middlesex County President and CEO. “When people choose to work with the Community Foundation, whether they are establishing a fund, participating in a giving circle, or making a charitable bequest, they are putting their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage the investment wisely, honor their charitable wishes, and act as a resource regarding the needs and issues in their community. The National Standards confirmation says our house is very much in order.”

Through the trustworthiness of the Community Foundation, individuals, businesses, and nonprofits have pooled together, collaborating with the Community Foundation to establish 147 funds that support programs and services where we live, work, and play, now and in the future. Such vital support allows our children to explore their imaginations through arts and after school programs; provides warm meals and safe havens for those in need; encourages all to explore our rich history; and so much more.

In addition to affirming the Community Foundation’s philanthropic services, this confirmation approves the Community Foundation of Middlesex County’s grant making practices for its nonprofit community.

“Some may say it’s easy to give money away,” said Marcia Kalayjian, Chairman, Board of Directors, Community Foundation of Middlesex County. “But there is so much need, so many issues to address, and so many great programs in our community that deserve all the support they can get. Making those funding decisions is very difficult. With the assistance of our outstanding staff, we work with our donors and the Grants Committee to assess needs, determine impact, and evaluate potential success, all the time operating in a fair and open process. When you see the National Standards Seal, you can be assured that we’re committed to meeting the highest standards for grant making as well.”

We welcome conversations with good people who want to do great things. For more information, contact us at 860.347.0025 or info@MiddlesexCountyCF.org

The Community Foundations National Standards Board is a supporting organization of the Council on Foundations that administers and advances National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations™ by ensuring the integrity of the accreditation process and building the value of compliance. Visit www.cfstandards.org for more information about the program and organization.