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The Sustainable CT Community Match Fund:
Five Years of Empowering Connecticut Communities
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BOZRAH, CT, SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 – Sustainable CT proudly announces the five-year anniversary of the Community Match Fund, a pioneering initiative that has empowered communities across Connecticut to take meaningful action on sustainability projects that matter most to them. Since its inception in 2019, the Community Match Fund has become a driving force in fostering local resilience, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.
A Record of Community-Led Success
Over the past five years, the Community Match Fund (CMF) has supported more than 340 projects that have attracted over 22,370 individual donors. The program's unique model, which combines small-dollar donations through its crowdfunding partner, Patronicity, with a dollar-for-dollar match from Sustainable CT, has leveraged over $2,236,000 in community investments, resulting in more than $4 million in total impact. This model has not only provided crucial funding but has also galvanized community members to actively participate in the design, implementation, and success of local projects...
READ the FULL PRESS RELEASE>
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The Next Sustainable CT Coffee Hour:
THURSDAY, September 19 at 10 a.m.
Celebrating 5 YEARS of Community Match Fund success
Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund is turning five! Since its launch in 2019, the Community Match Fund has invested over $4 million to support hundreds of projects in communities across the state. Join us to hear from dynamic project leaders who will speak about the lasting impact of their projects, and how they turned their visions into reality with the support of their neighbors and Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund.
REGISTER for SEPTEMBER 19>
Join Sustainable CT for virtual, informal, discussions most third THURSDAYS of each month. We share program updates and resources, explore your questions, and strengthen the network of Sustainable CT champions. These sessions are free and open to all.
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September's IMPACT:
The Community Match Fund at Five
Thomas "TJ" Clynch - community leader, organizer, activist - helps us celebrate
Thomas Clynch is something of a Renaissance Man - a principal at Civic Mind, the creative agency dedicated to social progress and corporate citizenship, and the founder of the new Hartford Times - he is also the founder of Yoga In Our City, a Community Match Fund project. We talk about many things, as Renaissance Men will, but we definitely wanted to hear what TJ had to say about his experience working with Sustainable CT through the Match Fund process. Leonardo would be proud.
This month's episode of the IMPACT will be available on September 15 at sustainablect.org and wherever you get your podcasts.
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The Community Match Fund
Not five for nothin' - we're supporting East Lyme High School's food scrap collection and waste diversion
The East Lyme High School DECA and Gardening Clubs are partnering to collect food scraps at lunchtime. Students and staff will sort through lunch trays to place compostable items into a Blue Earth Compost receptacle. Blue Earth will then collect the food scraps from the high school to turn the food into compost. Once the composting process is complete, East Lyme High School will receive composting credits that can be used in the community garden. With your support, they can bring robust food scrap collection to East Lyme High School!
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LEARN MORE about the Sustainable CT Community Match Fund | | |
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Sustainable CT Foams Home: Regional District Opens Styrofoam Recycling
On a beautiful day in August, our intrepid project coordinator, Inez Ortiz, joined officials of the Regional Refuse Disposal District #1, including the towns of in Barkhamsted, New Hartford and Winchester, for a kickoff and ribbon cutting for their first-in-the-state Styrofoam recycling program. Now that's what we call foam improvement!
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NVCOG Interviews Jacob Bartel, 2024 Sustainable CT Fellow
The Naugatuck Valley Council of Government (NVCOG) had an excellent blog post about, and conversation with, one of our 2024 Sustainable CT Fellows, Jacob Bartel. "He joined the NVCOG during the summer and will be leaving his mark as a Sustainable CT Fellow. Read on for a glimpse into Jacob’s unique journey and contributions to regional planning."
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Adrian Huq, Sustainable CT Fellow, in the news: CT Mirror
Jan Ellen Spiegel wrote an interesting piece for the CT Mirror on the New Haven Climate Movement. Adrian Huq, a Sustainable CT Fellow for four years running, had prominent mention. "Huq stuck with NHCM even through their four years of college at Tufts and is now continuing in-person, having come back to New Haven for graduate school." Way to shine, Adrian!
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New Haven Independent: Bike Share Returns to New Haven
Thomas Breen writes in the New Haven Independent: "New Haven’s soon-to-return bike share program has a new name, new prices, and a new website — along with 100 e‑bikes that should be available to rent by the end of the month for $0.25 cents a minute." Read the article, and visit Ride New Haven.
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The Patch: Chester Fair Expands Environmental Commitment
Michael Lemanski had nice things to say in the Patch about the Chester Fair's Zero Waste initiative - a Sustainable CT Community Match Fund-supported program. "The Chester Fair, which took place August 23-25, is one of two fairs nationally to focus on reducing its environmental impact by creating and adopting a 'Zero Waste' program." Read the entire article.
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Pomfret Achieves SolSmart Bronze Designation
Pomfret has received the Bronze Designation with nationally recognized SolSmart. This initiative encourages the installation of Solar PV on Pomfret properties along with upgrades and ease-of-use while permitting for the same. This designation will also assist in upgrading Pomfret's Sustainable CT status!
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Yale Program on Climate Change Communication Announces Publication of New Analysis on Differences by Gender and Income in Emissions
Climate change affects everyone, but not equally. Women, especially in poorer countries, face disproportionate risks and challenges from extreme weather events and resource shortages. Read the YPCCC analysis.
~AND~
YPCCC Marks the 10th Anniversary of its National Radio Program, Climate Connections
August marked the 10th anniversary of Climate Connections, YPCCC's national radio program. Launched during a low point in mainstream media coverage of climate change, when only about 15% of Americans believed human-caused global warming was an urgent threat, the program was designed to get listeners talking about climate change and climate solutions. Read the entire announcement.
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DEEP Unveils New Webpage on Geothermal Energy
The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) has launched a new web page on Geothermal Energy. It includes an interactive map showing commercial/institutional installations that are in operation, under construction, in design, or under consideration.
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Don't Forget to Save the Date!
Please plan to join us for the 2024 Sustainable CT Awards Celebration on November 13 at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center ("The Kate") in Old Saybrook. We'll be honoring all of our 2024 certified towns and a brand new cohort of Climate Leaders. We'll also be celebrating FIVE YEARS of Community Match Fund success!
REGISTER TODAY>
Sponsorship opportunities are available! Join us in working for a better Connecticut. Don't wait: contact Jessica LeClair, 860-259-4767, to discuss options and details.
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Housatonic Wild and Scenic River Celebration
The Housatonic River Commission will sponsor a Housatonic Wild and Scenic River Celebration. An in-person event: September 7, 1-4 p.m. at the Housatonic Meadows State Park, 90 US-7, Sharon.
REGISTER>
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DEEP to Hold Kickoff Meeting on Environmental Justice Regulations in CT
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Environmental Justice team will be hosting a series of meetings and workshops about the state's Environmental Justice law as they work to create new cumulative impacts regulations. Register to learn more about this process and key topics. September 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
REGISTER>
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Dedication Celebration for Glastonbury's MLK39 Mural Project
The Town of Glastonbury will hold a dedication event for its MLK39 Mural Project on Saturday, September 14th from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Glastonbury Town Hall. This project is a collaborative effort of the Town of Glastonbury, RiseUp for Arts, artist Micaela Levesque, Glastonbury MLK Community Initiative, Sustainable CT, SunLife and local residents.
MORE INFO>
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EV Club of Connecticut to Hold 2024 Northeast Electrical Vehicle Symposium
Get charged up at the Northeast Electrical Vehicle Symposium (NEEVS), the ultimate gathering for EV enthusiasts, policy makers, and those seeking trusted guidance on driving electric. An in-person event: Hotel Marcel New Haven, 500 Sargent Drive, New Haven; September 15 from 12 Noon - 4 p.m. and September 16 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
INFO and TICKETS>
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CT Green Bank Fall 2024 Update Webinar
Join Connecticut Green Bank on September 17 as they provide an update on Green Bank programs and solutions for homes, buildings, and investments. Topics will include Energy Storage Solutions, C-PACE, Environmental Infrastructure, Smart-E, Green Liberty Notes and more! September 17, 12-1 p.m.
REGISTER>
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The CT Nonprofit Alliance to Hold Nonprofit Leadership Development Training
The Connecticut Nonprofit Alliance will hold a two day training designed for supervisors, managers and directors looking to create a deeper understanding of who they are as leaders and strengthen their skills in practical ways. An in-person event: September 24 and October 1, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., 35 Cold Spring Road, Building 500, 2nd Floor, Rocky Hill.
INFO and TICKETS>
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CFECT Women & Girls Funds Grants Cycle Now Open
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut (CFECT) 2024 Women & Girls Funds grants cycle is now open. The Community Foundation welcomes applications to our Women & Girls Funds for projects that build, sustain or protect racial equity and social justice for women, girls, families and communities in Eastern Connecticut. Application deadline: October 1, 2024.
INFO and APPLICATION>
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We're hiring!
Looking for the right sort of Fellow
Sustainable CT is pleased to offer a year-round Fellowship in partnership with Connecticut Green Bank.
The Sustainable Communities Fellow will support municipalities across the state as they complete sustainability actions and apply for certification. Support may include researching and identifying actions related to certification; uploading actions onto municipal certification dashboards; meeting with communities and tracking progress towards certification, and more.
The Fellow will also aid in promoting, conducting outreach, and soliciting feedback for Sustainable CT’s strategic partner, Connecticut Green Bank. The Fellow will support municipalities to complete actions that align with Green Bank programing, such as running community energy campaigns and hosting workshops on the C-PACE financing tool.
This is a unique opportunity for a college grad with a passion for sustainability. Learn more, and get your application in by October 4!
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