WHAT WE DO.

WHAT WE DO - THE AURORA FOUNDATION

EDUCATION

RESEARCH

Aurora makes cutting-edge research on the needs of women and girls widely and easily available. The Women and Girls Data Platform provides a hub for key information on health, education, workforce participation and leadership for Connecticut’s women and girls.

In November 2023, the new report "Elusive Equity: Continuing Effects of the Pandemic on Women’s Economic Security," created in partnership with CTData Collaborative shows new data on how women are faring post-pandemic.

Aurora Research→
GRANTS

The Aurora Foundation practices targeted grantmaking, and we hope to teach others the value of philanthropy that addresses obstacles to the development of our communities. As we work together to better the lives of Greater Hartford’s women and girls, it will become clear how our efforts impact our region. We hope others take notice and look to replicate our efforts where they live.

Aurora Grantmaking→
GIVING CIRCLE

The Aurora Foundation convenes an annual Women’s Giving Circle where women experience the power of personal philanthropy through a member-based collaborative grantmaking process. This experience offers a deep dive into the needs within a specific focus area around women and girls, culminating in a grant award to a local nonprofit voted on by the group. Aurora engages men in the power of philanthropy through its Annual 100 Men’s Campaign.
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EMPOWER - EDUCATE - ENGAGE | 2023 IMPACT REPORT

An online, interactive tool, the Women & Girls Data Platform provides access to publicly available data specific to regional, city, and statewide levels and aggregated for gender and race.

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WHAT WE DO - THE AURORA FOUNDATION

STORIES OF IMPACT

ANGÉLICA

Many supporters first met Angélica when she was a featured speaker at Aurora’s Luminary Luncheon in 2019. She shared the story of growing up amid gun violence in Bridgeport and her determination to build a better life for herself and her family. She dedicated herself to her academic success with the help of the Launch Your Leadership Journey program at Tunxis Community College, a program funded in part by Aurora. Angélica graduated and went on to complete her bachelor’s degree at the University of Hartford, while participating in the Women’s Advancement Initiative’s LEAD program, also supported in part by Aurora. She is now a Talent Sourcing Professional at Pfizer. In 2022 she joined Aurora’s Grants Committee, where Angélica could share her insight into what supports had made a difference for her and how programs could best serve their students.

STORIES OF IMPACT

Anarelis

In May 2023, YW Career Women (YWCW) Program student Anarelis earned her associate degree from Manchester Community College and began working toward her Organizational Leadership degree from Charter Oak State College in the fall. As she embarks on the next phase of her education, YWCW will remain a critical asset in Anarelis’ progress toward professional and economic achievement. With YWCW’s help, she has positioned herself for greater financial independence and is grateful for the incredible support and amazing work Aurora does for the Greater Hartford community. Anarelis has become a dedicated volunteer, including at Aurora’s Luminary Events!

STORIES OF IMPACT

Dorely

“I am a single mother of twin eighteen-year-old boys. I had many nights doing homework with them at the kitchen table. I am a first-generation student and grew up in Hartford’s north end. I am proud to say that I graduated with my bachelor’s in healthcare administration in May 2022. This journey has been amazing. The Program Director Wanda has been able to guide me through and has been a great support. I can count on her to answer the phone even for the simplest things that I may need or a hurdle that I encounter. The Women in Transition Program has helped me to become a better me.

Recently, I was promoted to a manager level position. I know that one of the reasons that I was given this opportunity is because I am currently in the process of getting my degree. My boys both graduated high school this past June and will be entering Capital Community College in the next couple of weeks!”

* The Women In Transition Program at Charter Oak State College is funded in part by Aurora.

ENGAGE & EMPOWER
THROUGH GIVING

Because women reinvest 90% of their earnings in their families, unlocking potential for women and girls starts a ripple effect in entire communities.

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Why Devote a Foundation to Women and Girls?

In a perfect world, equal opportunity would ensure equal outcomes; but we are all not the same. When we fairly account for our differences and needs, we create equity — and equity is the means to achieving equality.

Whether we are looking at education, economic security, health, crime and safety, or another issue, we can ask: what are women and girls’ distinct challenges and needs? Aurora works to meet those distinct needs to improve social and economic opportunities and outcomes for women, their families and community.
Why Should Men and Women and Businesses and Nonprofit Agencies Support Women and Girls, Specifically?

When we create the conditions and means for women and girls to seize opportunity, we create immediate and sustained financial benefit. It’s good economics as well as good ethics.

As we see it, and as the research convinces us, gender equity affects all of us. That’s why men and women, nonprofits, small businesses, and corporations with a stake in the Hartford area stand with us: Our community is healthier when we work together.

Although women and their children make up nearly 80% of our nation’s poor—and the numbers grow each year—less than 7.5 cents of every dollar donated by organized philanthropy goes to programs that specifically address the needs of women and girls.

The data shows significant economic and social benefits to the larger community when women are productive contributors. Healthy, educated, and secure women increase the quality, size and productivity of the overall workforce, tax base, and community capacity.

Research and experience prove that “neutral” programs are less effective than programs that consider the nuanced needs of the people they serve.

In other words, effective social strategies take into account that one size does not fit all. The needs and opportunities of women are distinct, and so their solutions should be too.
What Makes the Aurora Foundation a Great Way to Invest in Our Region’s Future?

Thousands of nonprofit organizations provide valuable services in Greater Hartford. As a donor, how do you decide where to invest?

Invest with purpose. Invest with confidence.
The Aurora Foundation simplifies donor decision-making. We deeply understand the needs and potential of the region’s women and girls. As careful stewards, we identify both the problems and the groups working to solve them.

Knowing the issues means we can target the issues. Knowing our community means we can explore programs and agencies to uncover the ones with proven results or innovative approaches that show the most promise.

Through Aurora, you can make a thoughtful and strategic investment that will make an immediate difference to women and girls in need, collectively address systemic issues in our community, and build a better future for generations to come.

Aurora advances local collaboration, investment, and impact. We are the only freestanding foundation in Connecticut focused exclusively on the needs of women and girls.

Your generosity becomes a legacy of civic leadership.
With social awareness and investment, you will help move women and girls into self-sufficiency and on to community involvement and leadership. You can unlock their potential, and in turn, the potential of our communities.

Since 2004, the Aurora Foundation has distributed over $760,000 in grants that have made a difference to thousands of women and girls in our region. You can make a difference, too, with your contribution.