1000 Friends of Connecticut (Hartford, CT)

General

• Mission:

1000 Friends of Connecticut is a statewide smart growth education and advocacy organization. We work to shape policy at the local, regional and state level to redirect growth to: restore prosperity to our cities and downtowns and preserve green space for recreation, acquifer regeneration, clean air, and a viable agricultural economy.

• History:

This broad, deep, bi-partisan organization, representing the for-profit, nonprofit, academic and government sectors, coalesced late in 2003. It formed a tax-exempt, 501c3, organization modeled after similar growth management organizations around the country. These organizationshave been instrumental in bringing about smart growth policy change in those states. The principal program of 1000 Friends of Connecticut is the Campaign to Grow Connecticut Smart, a comprehensive education and outreach initiative. The Campaign to Grow Connecticut Smart is an initiative that hit the ground running and hasn’t slowed down. In 2006, we released A Leader’s Guide to Growing Connecticut Smart. In response to the guide, Governor Rell created a state Office of Responsible Growth. In 2007, 1000 Friends released Developing Connecticut’s Economic Future. In response to that, a bill was passed unanimously and signed into law that requires the first ever state Comprehensive Economic Development Plan, created a Responsible Growth Task Force, and a regional incentive grant program. The first awards in that grant program were announced in March. In February, the Responsible Growth Task Force unanimously approved the first definition of responsible growth and a set of principles by which the state’s progress toward responsible growth can be measured. It also made a number of other recommendations on regional cooperation, zoning, and municipal development agreements. Just this week, the Governor announced the selection of a new Department of Transportation Commissioner, a transit expert! The Department of Economic and Community Development recently awarded a contract for the comprehensive economic development strategy. This is the first time that economic development and transportation efforts will be studied in a coordinated fashion so that transportation improvements support community growth and development. At the same time, 1000 Friends has more than doubled its list of friends. It has hosted a series of well-attended meetings and forums. The first annual conference attracted more than 320 people. In the last three years, 1000 Friends went from a strong concept, to a vibrant organization. But, with your help we can do so much more!

• Year established:2004

Registration

• Organization type:Grantseeker
• Country of registration:United States
• Year established:2004
• Tax Determination Letter:Received Determination Letter
• IRS Section:501(c)(3)
• IRS Subsection:Non-operating

Web Listing

• Guidestar listed:No
• Charity Navigator listed:No
• Give.org listed:No
• Charity Watch listed:Unknown