Frances Padilla Email and Phone Number

Lead the Foundation in creating a 21st century system of health care for every man, woman and child in Connecticut. Continuing to build on our strong tradition of activism, with a vision toward initiating new partnerships, stepping up our outreach and deepening civic engagement.

Lead the foundation's public policy research, grantmaking and internal operations. Design and direct the annual public policy research agenda, enlisting national consulting resources to identify policy options for achievement of universal access to affordable and quality health care in Connecticut. Created a policy design process employing broad-based stakeholder input and resulting in the innovative SustiNet policy design for better health, improved quality and cost control. Informed and influenced public understanding and support of 2009 and 2011 legislation to enact SustiNet. Provide strategic direction to internal staff operations. Lead the foundation's assessment and strategic planning activities.

Led a consulting practice targeting improved outcomes for urban children and families through economic development and employment, public education, housing, and community organizing. Provided strategic planning, evaluation and technical asistance services to non-profit organizations, foundations, and government. Clients included the Hartford Construction Jobs Initiative, the Connecticut Center for School Change, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the William Casper Graustein Memorial Fund, Free to Grow National Technical Assistance Center (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation), the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Hartford, ASPIRA of Connecticut, and Pew Charitable Trusts.

Directed the work of the foundation's initiatives in maternal and child health, neighborhood leadership development, public education, youth development and promotion of philanthropy. Major accomplishments include leading the Board of Directors through a strategic planning process culminating in its policy commitment to children and youth and neighborhood development as Foundation priorities. Positioned the foundation's comprehensive initiative in maternal and child health to influence the Foundation's grantmaking in health and human services. Initiated a leadership development program for neighborhood residents in two distinct communities providing technical assistance, training and increased outreach and communications about community problems and funding opportunities. Developed strategies for Foundation support of hospital capital campaigns, housing and economic development projects.

Directed the Foundation's $4 million grantmaking program from initial inquiry through post-grant program monitoring. Implemented streamlining measures to the grantmaking process and initiated a process for examining and refining the underlying strategies of Foundation grantmaking. Increases the number of grant applications considered by the Foundation annually; opened the Foundation to new constituencies. Secured national foundation funding to establish a permanent health fund to support programs addressing AIDS prevention and an education fund to increase community involvement with public schools and leveraged a permanent endowment.

Researched and analyzed funding proposals from non-profit organizations in the arts, education, social services and health fields. Analyzed strengths and weaknesses of proposals and recommended funding strategies to the Foundation's Distribution Committee. Provided advice and assistance on proposal development, program implementation and organizational development issues.