2026-09-22T11:56:19-05:00 2025-12-31 060903326 WHITTLESEY PC 280 TRUMBULL ST 24TH FL HARTFORD CT 06103 990 2025-01-01 061587403 AURORA WOMEN AND GIRLS FOUNDATION INC AURO 8609693435 PO BOX 370537 WEST HARTFORD CT 06137 JENNIFER STEADMAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 8609693435 2026-09-22 1 LISA WILLS P01828548 8605223111 2025 JENNIFER STEADMAN PO BOX 370537 WEST HARTFORD CT 06137 1039786 0 X WWW.AURORAFOUNDATION.ORG X 2000 CT THE AURORA WOMEN AND GIRLS FOUNDATION GALVANIZES RESOURCES TO INCREASE ECONOMIC SECURITY, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, AND LEADERSHIP FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS IN THE GREATER HARTFORD REGION. 16 16 5 175 0 0 940612 971016 0 0 46860 68770 -31735 -40567 955737 999219 463478 503491 0 0 320666 323036 0 0 174230 117068 142036 901212 968563 54525 30656 1355480 1570714 38470 162682 1317010 1408032 X THE AURORA WOMEN AND GIRLS FOUNDATION GALVANIZES RESOURCES TO INCREASE ECONOMIC SECURITY, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, AND LEADERSHIP FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS IN THE GREATER HARTFORD REGION. 0 0 537128 463491 THE AURORA WOMEN AND GIRLS FOUNDATION CURRENTLY FOCUSES ITS GRANT MAKING ON GREATER HARTFORD AREA WOMEN'S COLLEGE SUCCESS PROGRAMS. AURORA'S GOAL THROUGH ITS GRANT MAKING IS TO EMPOWER MORE WOMEN TO COMPLETE THEIR COLLEGE EDUCATION, THEREFORE ENABLING THEM TO BETTER THEIR LIVES AND THOSE OF THEIR FAMILIES. OUR AURORA-FUNDED COLLEGE SUCCESS PROGRAMS GIVE WOMEN, ESPECIALLY LOW-INCOME, WOMEN OF COLOR, SINGLE MOTHERS AND FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO NAVIGATE AND PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION. WE HAVE IDENTIFIED BEST PRACTICES FOR THESE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING ONE-ON-ONE COUNSELING AND ADVISING, MENTORING AND INTRODUCING WOMEN TO ROLE MODELS, BUILDING SELF-ADVOCACY SKILLS, ADDRESSING BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS CHILDCARE AND TRANSPORTATION--AND NOW DURING THE PANDEMIC, HELP NAVIGATING ONLINE LEARNING, UNEMPLOYMENT, AND NEEDS FOR FOOD AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE. AURORA PRIDES ITSELF IN NOT JUST FUNDING EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS BUT ALSO BEING A RESOURCE AND PARTNER TO OUR GRANTEES. OUR TOWARD EQUITY REPORT DOCUMENTS THE 85% SALARY INCREASE TIED TO ATTAINING A BACHELOR'S DEGREE FOR WOMEN IN CONNECTICUT, WHICH SUGGESTS THE POWERFUL LINK BETWEEN EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AND ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES. HOWEVER, THE REPORT ALSO POINTED TO A CRUCIAL GAP20% OF BLACK WOMEN WHO START COLLEGE DON'T FINISH, SO THEY DON'T REALIZE THAT SALARY INCREASE, AND OFTEN TAKE OUT LOANS THAT JEOPARDIZE THEIR FINANCIAL STABILITY. THIS DATA TELLS US THAT INCREASING ACCESS TO AND SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IS AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY TO INCREASE WOMEN'S ECONOMIC MOBILITY. AURORA'S ENHANCED COLLEGE SUCCESS PROGRAM IS AN ADDITIONAL INITIATIVE THAT DEEPENS AND EXTENDS OUR WORK TO SUPPORT A SMALL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN AURORA-FUNDED COLLEGE SUCCESS PROGRAMS WHO WILL RECEIVE ACCESS ADDITIONAL MENTORING AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND WRAP-AROUND SUPPORTS AND FUNDING FOR HOUSING, CHILDCARE, TECHNOLOGY, HEALTH (INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH), TRANSPORTATION AND TUITION. WITH THESE BARRIERS REMOVED, THE GOAL IS FOR STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO FOCUS ON THEIR STUDIES AND TO HAVE AN EFFECTIVE SUPPORT SYSTEM TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE ANY ADDITIONAL BARRIERS. THIS REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT PER STUDENT THAT WILL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS, BUT ALSO A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEIR CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. ALONG SIDE OUR EXISTING COLLEGE SUCCESS PROGRAMS, THE NEW ENHANCED COLLEGE SUCCESS PROGRAM WILL SERVE AS A MODEL FOR HOW FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND BARRIER REDUCTION, ALONG WITH EFFECTIVE MENTORING AND CASE MANAGEMENT, CAN INCREASE COLLEGE SUCCESS FOR WOMEN FROM UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS. IN 2025, THE THIRD YEAR OF THIS PROGRAM, WE HAVE CELEBRATED 11 GRADUATIONS MADE POSSIBLE BY THIS SUPPORT. IN 2025, AURORA SECURED FUNDING TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF AND INVESTMENTS IN DISABILITY JUSTICE, AWARDING SUPPORT FOR A STATEWIDE EDUCATIONAL CONVENING EVENT, GRASSROOTS EFFORTS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES WITH DISABLED CHILDREN, AND TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT FOR DISABLED WOMEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS. 49155 AURORA'S RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS THE CRITICAL ISSUES FACING WOMEN AND GIRLS IN THE REGION. BEGINNING IN 2019 AND UPDATED YEARLY, AURORA PARTNERED WITH OTHER CONNECTICUT WOMEN'S FUNDS AND CONNECTICUT DATA COLLABORATIVE TO CREATE THE WOMEN AND GIRLS DATA PLATFORM (WGDP), A CUTTING-EDGE TOOL TO SHARE INFORMATION AND EQUIP NONPROFITS, GOVERNMENT, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH INFORMATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN CONNECTICUT. AN ONLINE, INTERACTIVE TOOL, THE WGDP PROVIDES ACCESS TO PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DATA SPECIFIC TO REGIONAL, CITY, AND STATEWIDE LEVELS THAT IS AGGREGATED FOR GENDER AND RACE. THE DATA COMPARES TRENDS ACROSS REGIONS AND THE STATE AND AIDS IN BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF LOCAL NEEDS. DATA IS FEATURED BY DEMOGRAPHICS, HEALTH AND SAFETY, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC SECURITY, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. THE COLLABORATION ON THE WGDP MEANT THAT WE HAD THE TEAM IN PLACE TO RESPOND QUICKLY TO THE DATA NEEDS OF THE PANDEMIC. IN JANUARY 2021, AURORA PUBLISHED ESSENTIAL EQUITY: WOMEN, COVID-19 AND REBUILDING CONNECTICUT, A REPORT THAT DOCUMENTED THE DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON WOMEN OF COLOR. AURORA DISTRIBUTED AND PRESENTED THE REPORT'S INFORMATION TO THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON WOMEN AND GIRLS, THE WOMEN'S CAUCUS OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE LEGISLATURE, THE GREATER GIVING SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE HELD BY THE GATES FOUNDATION, THE PERMANENT COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN HARTFORD, AND NUMEROUS OTHER LOCAL AND STATEWIDE ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP CENTER THE NEEDS OF WOMEN OF COLOR IN PLANNING FOR PANDEMIC RELIEF AND RECOVERY. WE OFFERED TWO TRAINING SESSIONS ON DATA LITERACY, WITH 50 ORGANIZATIONS SERVING WOMEN AND GIRLS PARTICIPATING IN EDUCATION ON HOW TO USE THE WGDP AND ESSENTIAL EQUITY REPORT TO DOCUMENT THE NEED, IMPROVE PROGRAMMING AND SECURE FUNDING. IN 2022, AURORA PRODUCED EXPOSING CT'S EVICTION CRISIS, A RESEARCH COLLABORATION WITH CT DATA COLLABORATIVE AND CT'S FAIR HOUSING CENTER THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER SHOWED THE GENDER AND RACE OF THOSE FACING EVICTION PROCEEDINGS. AN INTERACTIVE MAP SHOWS WHERE EVICTIONS HAVE BEEN FILED SINCE 2017 AND WE ARE SEEING A RETURN TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS, WITH WOMEN OF COLOR DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED. THE CONNECTICUT LEGISLATURE HAD THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHILE THEY DEBATED AND ULTIMATELY PASSED NEW LEGISLATION GUARANTEEING TENANTS ACCESS TO FREE LEGAL COUNSEL DURING EVICTION PROCEEDINGS. WE HOPE THAT THIS WILL RESULT IN MORE WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES STAYING SAFELY HOUSED. IN 2023, AURORA PUBLISHED ELUSIVE EQUITY: CONTINUING EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC ON WOMEN'S ECONOMIC SECURITY, A FOLLOW UP TO ASSESS THE CONTINUING PANDEMIC-RELATED OBSTACLES TO WOMEN'S ECONOMIC SECURITY IN THE STATE. THE REPORT WAS FEATURED ON AN EPISODE OF NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO'S DISRUPTED PODCAST, WHICH REACHES A STATEWIDE AND NATIONAL AUDIENCE. IN 2024, AURORA PUBLISHED BEYOND HOMEWORK: SUPPORTS NEEDED FOR STUDENT MOTHERS, A REPORT THAT HIGHLIGHTED THAT 1 IN 5 WOMEN STUDENTS IS A MOTHER (NATIONAL DATA) AND THAT 70% OF STUDENT MOTHERS TAKE OUT LOANS TO PAY FOR COLLEGE. GAPS IN COMPLETION RATES LEAVE BLACK AND LATINA SINGLE MOTHER STUDENTS VULNERABLE TO AMASSING EDUCATIONAL DEBT WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF COMPLETING THE DEGREE. IN 2025, TO MARK AURORA'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY, WE PUBLISHED TOWARD EQUITY: INVESTING IN WOMEN AND GIRLS FOR CONNECTICUT'S FUTURE. A BOLD CALL TO ACTION AND REFLECTIONCHRONICLING THE STATUS OF CONNECTICUT'S WOMEN AND GIRLS OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS, IT URGES DEEPER INVESTMENT IN EQUITY-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS AND CHALLENGES PHILANTHROPY AND POLICYMAKERS TO CENTER RACIAL AND GENDER EQUITY, CREATING A STRONGER, MORE INCLUSIVE CONNECTICUT WHERE EVERYONE CAN THRIVE. 78795 40000 AURORA EDUCATES AND ENGAGES WOMEN AND MEN IN THE POWER OF PHILANTHROPY THAT IS TARGETED TO PROGRAMS THAT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS. WE INVITE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO JOIN US BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES WHERE WOMEN AND GIRLS THRIVE. IN SPRING OF 2025, AURORA'S WOMEN'S GIVING CIRCLE FOCUSED ON THE IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE WOMEN. FUNDS RAISED WENT TO HELP 4 ORGANIZATIONS ON-THE-GROUND, PROVIDING LEGAL CLINICS, COURT SUPPORT, WRAPAROUND SUPPORTS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, FOOD, AND ADVOCACY FOR EQUITABLE ACCESS. 70 WOMEN JOINED THE GIVING CIRCLE AND RAISED $40,000 THAT WENT 100% TO THE ORGANIZATIONS IDENTIFIED AS MEETING THE COMMUNITY NEED. AURORA'S 100 MEN CAMPAIGN CULMINATED WITH A BREAKFAST WITH HARTFORD'S MAYOR ARULAMPALAM, AND 100 MALE COMMUNITY LEADERS PARTICIPATED IN FUNDRAISING AND EFFECTIVELY ADVOCATED FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS. 665078 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 16 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 CT X JENNIFER STEADMAN 8609693435 PO BOX 370537 WEST HARTFORD CT 06137 AMY MILLER CHAIR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KYRA DORSEY VICE CHAIR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MAUREEN COOPER TREASURER 1.00 X 0 0 0 KATE BITTINGER EIKEL SECRETARY 1.00 X 0 0 0 RAUCHELL BECKFORD-ANDERSON MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 KAREN BINKHORST MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 SAMIA AMEUR MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 HEATHER LASHWAY MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 TRISHA PITTER MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 KATE FARRAR MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 KATHERINE HALL MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 T RENEE WILLIAMS MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ELAINE LESHEM MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 KAREN LOTT MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 TINA ST PIERRE MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MEGHAN BURNS MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JENNIFER STEADMAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 150000 0 0 150000 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 97521 873495 971016 27408 27408 41362 0 41362 41362 41362 0 97521 40567 -40567 -40567 999219 0 0 28203 503491 503491 150647 52726 37662 60259 148170 56055 17493 74622 93 34 17 42 24126 8783 4453 10890 29512 8854 14756 5902 6305 6305 14057 4217 7029 2811 4032 1210 2016 806 46283 17285 18507 10491 7194 2158 3597 1439 24941 7351 12564 5026 196 59 98 39 4626 1388 2313 925 2640 792 1320 528 2250 675 1125 450 968563 665078 129255 174230 441998 383427 35690 2450 2039 2000 7985 6121 4504 1864 847974 1119460 23275 61513 1355480 1570714 15659 20296 0 82553 22811 59833 38470 162682 X 1059510 1150532 257500 257500 1317010 1408032 1355480 1570714 30656 60366 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 476692 718436 741670 940612 971016 3848426 476692 718436 741670 940612 971016 3848426 0 0 0 3848426 16974 23035 17795 25546 27408 110758 16974 23035 17795 25546 27408 110758 493666 741471 759465 966158 998424 3959184 0.97200 0.97500 0.02800 0.02500 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 761005 35000 121267 514 5639 911119 701851 99638 35441 5043 761005 598195 94000 112648 4641 800202 702009 -98632 5182 598195 523004 124425 58812 4232 702009 1.00000 0 0 7985 6121 1864 1864 LEASE LIABILITY 59833 59833 1093847 60366 60366 1033481 6305 -40567 -34262 999219 1002825 40567 40567 962258 6305 6305 968563 PART V, LINE 4: THE BOARD DESIGNATED ENDOWMENT IS INTENDED AS A SOURCE FOR FUTURE GRANTS AND/OR OPERATING SUPPORT. PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: SPECIAL EVENTS EXPENSE -40,567. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: SPECIAL EVENTS EXPENSE 40,567. LUMINARY CELEBRATION 69603 69603 7500 19474 100 10720 100 MEN CAMPAIGN 27918 27918 2773 97521 97521 7500 19474 100 13493 40567 -40567 1 CHARTER OAK STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION 55 PAUL MANAFORT DRIVE NEW BRITAIN CT 06053 060969831 501(C)(3) 107000 0 COLLEGE SUCCESS GRANT HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY 500 MAIN STREET HARTFORD CT 06103 066026029 501(C)(3) 30000 0 COLLEGE SUCCESS GRANT YWCA HARTFORD REGION INC 135 BROAD STREET HARTFORD CT 06106 060646993 501(C)(3) 187500 0 COLLEGE SUCCESS GRANT THE WOMEN'S ADVANCEMENT INITIATIVE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD 200 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE WEST HARTFORD CT 06117 060731360 501(C)(3) 20500 0 COLLEGE SUCCESS GRANT MAKE THE ROAD CT 885 WETHERSFIELD AVE HARTFORD CT 06114 843988830 501(C)(3) 10000 0 WOMEN'S GIVING CIRCLE GRANT TO SUPPORT IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE WOMEN CT STUDENTS FOR A DREAM 2470 FAIRFIELD AVE BRIDGEPORT CT 06605 843988830 501(C)(3) 10000 0 WOMEN'S GIVING CIRCLE GRANT TO SUPPORT IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE WOMEN ANGEL OF EDGEWOOD 276 FRANKLIN AVE HARTFORD CT 06114 853536488 501(C)(3) 15000 0 WOMEN'S GIVING CIRCLE GRANT TO SUPPORT IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE WOMEN HARTFORD DEPORTATION DEFENSE 142 TEMPLE STREET SUITE 204 NEW HAVEN CT 06510 831341749 501(C)(3) 10000 0 WOMEN'S GIVING CIRCLE GRANT TO SUPPORT IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE WOMEN YWCA NEW BRITAIN 19 FRANKLIN SQUARE NEW BRITAIN CT 06051 060598620 501(C)(3) 51264 0 YOUNG WOMEN'S INITIATIVE THE VILLAGE FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN 450 CHURCH STREET HARTFORD CT 06103 060668594 501(C)(3) 10000 0 YOUNG WOMEN'S INITIATIVE GRANTMAKING QPLUS 433 FERN STREET WEST HARTFORD CT 06107 873403494 501(C)(3) 10000 0 YOUNG WOMEN'S INITIATIVE GRANTMAKING ITS MY MONEY OF FL 25 E BEAVER STREETSUITE 202 JACKSONVILLE FL 32202 811802378 501(C)(3) 26350 0 YOUNG WOMEN'S INITIATIVE FINANCIAL LITERACY FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FINANCE COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE FORM 990 IN DETAIL AND DIRECTS ANY QUESTIONS TO THE PREPARER FOR CLARIFICATION. A COPY OF FORM 990 IS PROVIDED TO THE ORGANIZATION'S BOARD MEMBERS PRIOR TO IT BEING FILED. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C EACH BOARD MEMBER MUST SIGN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE STATEMENT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, AND MUST PROMPTLY DISCLOSE IF ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ARISE THAT POSES A POTENTIAL CONFLICT. THE CHAIR OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE COLLECTS AND REVIEWS ALL FORMS WITH FOLLOW UP AS NECESSARY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS REVIEW THE 990 FORMS OF NON-PROFITS IN SIMILAR GEOGRAPHIC AREAS OF A SIMILAR SIZE AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND CONSULTS WITH AVAIALABLE INDEPENDENT SURVEYS TO ENSURE THAT THE COMPENSATION IS REASONABLE FOR THE WORK BEING PERFORMED. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 18 THE 990 IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.