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6 Hartford Business Journal•November25,2014 www.HartfordBusiness.com What does philanthropy mean to you? W e at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving ardently believe that defining and expanding the role of philanthropy will create lasting solutions for the 29 towns that we serve in the Greater Hartford region. And so I ask you: what does philanthropy mean to you? For the Greeks, the word translates to "love of humankind." This means that any one of us is capable of philanthropy, that we are wealthy in an abundance of ways. Thoughtfulness, generosity, laughter, gratitude: these are gifts we can give selflessly. The writer Charles Dickens said, "No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another." The Hartford Foundation has spent the past 89 years capitalizing on that belief, that anyone with a mission can make a difference in a life. Our grant making proves that. Our community recognizes the often dramatic impact that philanthropy can have — from one individual to society as a whole. We realize, too, that for many, education is the answer to critical issues in our society, and have moved in a determined and intelligent way to vastly expand educational opportunities for children throughout Greater Hartford. Our donors have also contributed to organizations that have assisted families with basic human needs. They have supported the arts and culture, in one case providing seed money that resulted in a Tony Award-winning play and more important, the expansion of thought for the scores of individuals who enjoyed it. We embrace and model diversity in philanthropy at the Foundation, and we are committed to engaging all members of our community in achieving their goals for giving. As we approach our 90th birthday, we will be collecting the stories of giving that define our community. Think about how giving has affected your life, and be ready to share your story with us in 2015. It is important that you do, because your story is our story, and because giving changes lives for the better. linda J. kelly President Hartford Foundation for Public Giving makinG a difference throuGh corporate responsiBility A t The Hartford, we are proud to call the city of Hartford our home — and we consider it an honor to work side-by-side with our neighbors to improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work. Corporate responsibility is more than just a neighborly initiative for us — it's an important part of who we are and how we do business. We work closely with local partners to develop innovative programs that are contributing to the vibrancy of our communities. For example, in our own Asylum Hill neighborhood, The Hartford has introduced several initiatives that support our shared vision for a safe and connected community. Over the past year, we: • Started and co-sponsored the Asylum Hill Fresh Express shuttle to the Billings Forge Farmers' Market • Hosted free community concerts in HartBeat Park featuring ensembles from the Hartford Symphony Orchestra • Offered informational area walking tours in partnership with Northside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance (NINA) • Planted 26 trees with KNOX, Inc. and community neighbors on Arbor Day in honor of the victims of Sandy Hook and in memory of victims lost to gun violence in Hartford Our corporate responsibility efforts also extend beyond the city of Hartford. We know small businesses are critical to the growth and continued strength of our economy — both locally and nationally — and we're committed to helping them succeed. As part of this commitment, The Hartford announced the Communities with HART program earlier this year. This exciting multi-year national philanthropic program encourages the well-being of America's communities by enabling today's small businesses to grow and inspiring a new generation of small business leaders. Together with the Accion U.S. Network, The Hartford will provide loans and training to small businesses that lack access to traditional sources of capital. In partnership with Junior Achievement USA (JA), The Hartford will become the title sponsor of its flagship JA Company Program®, helping to inspire the students of today to become the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. We believe that being a good and responsible corporate citizen means dedicating our best efforts to make our world a better place — both here in the Hartford area and beyond. On behalf of The Hartford's employees, we look forward to building on our partnerships and finding new ways to make a positive difference. christopher J. swift Chief Executive Officer The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. From Our Sponsors