Schools get big boosts
Anchored by Yale University”™s formidable fundraising, 14 Connecticut universities and colleges raised some $750 million in donations in the fiscal year ending in June 2011.
Charitable contributions increased 8.2 percent nationally in fiscal 2011, according to the Council for Aid to Education.
With $580 million in gifts, Yale ranked third nationally after Stanford University and Harvard University. Among the 25 biggest donor schools nationally, Yale”™s 52 percent year-over-year increase trailed only the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The University of Connecticut edged out Wesleyan University as the second largest donor recipient in Connecticut, taking in $38.7 million to Wesleyan”™s $36.6 million.
Fairfield University enjoyed a 55 percent boost in private donor gifts, to $16.2 million.
GE donates $18M
Through its foundation, General Electric Co. donated $18 million to Student Achievement Partners, which helps implement Common Core State Standards for teaching and testing across the nation.
Fairfield-based GE said the four-year grant is the largest corporate commitment to date for the program.
“Our economy is facing an undeniable challenge ”“ good paying jobs are going unfilled because U.S. workers don”™t have the skills to fill the positions,” Robert Corcoran, president of the GE Foundation, said in a statement.
Under a previous $15 million grant through its “developing futures” program, Stamford teachers are receiving intense training and support as they implement the new standards, shift from current instructional practices and ensure they are reaching all students.
State liaison leaves
After just over a year on the job, Deb Heinrich is stepping down as Connecticut”™s nonprofit liaison.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy says it is the first-such cabinet-level post in the nation, under the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management. At deadline, he had yet to appoint a replacement.
Heinrich previously was a state representative for Madison, where she lives, and Guilford. She told the Madison Patch she would seek a new job.
