2024
Annual Report
Our Mission
Advancing Connecticut Together (ACT), with its partners, addresses the root causes of poverty, addiction and health inequities through strength-based services and advocacy to ensure all people in Connecticut have equitable resources necessary to achieve multi-generational health, wealth and happiness.
We see a future whereby our neighbors thrive in an equitable society.
A Message from our CEO
I am pleased to present our 2024 Annual Report—a reflection of the collective impact we’ve made over the past year. Behind every number in this report is a story: lives transformed, communities strengthened, and futures made more secure through our partnerships and programs.
Throughout 2024, we remained steadfast in our commitment to (1) engage and empower people across Connecticut so that their financial future was more secure; (2) create sustainable, accessible systems that eliminate health disparities, especially HIV/AIDS; (3) provide vital education on overdose prevention, syringe services, and safer sex practices; and (4) facilitate stable housing and reduction of homelessness through rental payments and data analysis.
While we stay grounded in our mission, we also embrace growth and innovation. We continuously evolve our outreach and programming, guided by a single goal: to make Connecticut a place where everyone can thrive—in health, wealth, and happiness.
To our partners, supporters, and community members—thank you for walking alongside us on this ever-changing, inspiring journey.
Asset Building
We equip and empower all people in Connecticut to build a secure future.
- Financial Education
- Training & Workshops
- Financial Coaching
- Free Tax Preparation
- Promote Safe Banking
HIV Care Services
We build sustainable systems dedicated to eliminating health disparities.
- Case Management
- Drop-in Wellness Center
- Housing Support
- Quality Assurance
- Financial Assistance
Harm Reduction
We provide syringe services and educate the public on harm reduction practices.
- Sexual Health Education
- Overdose Prevention
- Counseling & Testing
- Syringe Services
- Distribution Center
Homelessness Services
We transform the lives of the unhoused by providing vital rental assistance.
- Rental Assistance
- Security Deposit Assistance
- Data Analysis
- Systems Coordination
(1) Asset Building
In 2024, ACT’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, with 600 volunteers at 55 sites, helped 10,109 people file returns. Participants received refunds totaling $13,187,305 while saving over $3 million in tax prep fees.
Our Connecticut Money School held 123 classes with 16 community partners, enabling 1,806 individuals to take control of their financial futures, learning about budgeting, growing savings, credit building, and debt management.
The Returning Citizens program held 79 classes with the cooperation of 7 community partners. 511 clients in the re-entry community attended classes focused on preventing soon-to-be released individuals from struggling with money or other financial issues.
(2) HIV Care Services
ACT provided 209 HIV+ clients with medical case management and assisted 71 clients with services upon release from incarceration. Our drop-in center provided 247 clients with 5,741 food services (meals/vouchers) and provided psychosocial support to 80 clients.
Our Client Assistance Fund helped 147 clients with medical transportation, 25 with health insurance assistance, and 206 with emergency financial assistance. Our Housing Assistance Fund helped 128 clients maintain their housing and assisted 29 with housing placement.
The Case Management Training Institute held 14 classes held in 2024. 152 case managers and other staff attended both in-person and virtual trainings.
(3) Harm Reduction
The CT Community Distribution Center Program, an initiative of the Department of Public Health operated by ACT, processed 607 orders in 2024. We distributed 889,274 condoms and 102,266 prevention supplies to providers.
Early Intervention Services provided HIV/Hep C testing and back-to-care services to 145 clients. Our Syringe Services Program served 755 clients, collected 53,906 used syringes, distributed 61,572 new syringes, and provided risk reduction counseling and harm reduction education.
ACT’s Overdose Prevention Program distributed 207 life-saving overdose prevention kits, made referrals for treatment programs, and provided training on overdose prevention, recognition, and response.
(4) Homelessness Services
The Rapid Re-Housing Program is centered on a school of thought called “Housing First,” the idea that people are much more likely to find success when they are no longer in a stressful crisis situation. In 2024, we distributed $6,748,000 in funding to return 516 individuals and families back into housing and stability.
ACT also provides crucial support to the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count of unhoused persons to ensure data-driven approaches to homelessness. We participate in statewide planning and coordinating bodies to create integrated systems of solutions. New programs starting in 2025 will expand our services in this area of expertise.
CT Early Childhood Alliance
Fiscally sponsored by ACT, The Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance is a statewide organization committed to improving the outcomes of learning, health, safety, and economic security for children aged birth to eight and their families and caregivers. Our goal is for all children in Connecticut to enter kindergarten healthy, eager to learn, and ready for school success.
Keep the Promise Coalition
Fiscally sponsored by ACT, Keep the Promise is Connecticut's leading, community-driven voice on mental health. We organize our community to disrupt power and speak up for our needs. We prioritize community-based supports, which are designed and led by peers with lived experience of distress, trauma, psychiatric oppression, and different ways of being.
Other Partner Initiatives
ACT provided essential fiscal support to The Shawn Lang Task Force for the Connecticut AIDS Memorial, received initial funding, and released an RFP for artists to create a sculpture. We also provided backbone fiscal support to The Connecticut LGBTQ+ Justice and Opportunity Network and continued to participate in the Governor’s Hate Crimes Commission.
Statement of Activities
| Grants | $10,392,093 |
| Contributions | $657,315 |
| In-kind contributions | $441,000 |
| Investments/Interest Income | $19,543 |
| Unrealized gains on investments | $6,635 |
| Miscellaneous income | $319,828 |
| Net assets released from restrictions | $574,362 |
| TOTAL SUPPORT & REVENUES | $12,410,776 |
| Financial Assistance | $6,513,509 |
| HIV Services | $2,379,258 |
| Financial Empowerment | $1,133,414 |
| Sponsored Programs | $1,127,017 |
| Other Programs | $116,339 |
| Management and General | $857,252 |
| Fundraising | $124,967 |
| TOTAL EXPENSES | $12,251,756 |
| Change in net assets without donor restrictions | $159,020 |
| Changes in net assets with donor restrictions: | |
| Contributions | $522,926 |
| Net assets released from restrictions | ($574,362) |
| Change in net assets with donor restrictions | ($51,436) |
| Change in net assets | $107,584 |
| Net assets, beginning of year | $3,682,392 |
| Net assets, end of year | $3,789,976 |
