Connecticut:Where Democrats Profit From Nonprofit Organizations

It has been another week in the sordid and bizarre world of the State of Connecticut. Horrendous bills violative of the constitutional rights of ordinary citizens advanced in the state Legislature. Decrepit and nearly bankrupt Hartford, CT, a city that is run by lunatics and one that cannot pay its bills, is petitioning to borrow $50,000,000 as that amount will finally fix everything. As my friend and colleague Tony De Angelo pointed out on his March 19, 2026, THIRTY WITH TONY no gubernatorial candidate of either party has yet addressed the cancer of this new crippling debt engulfing the state. Another minor league sports franchise is leaving, adding to a very long list of such disasters in the past thereby breaking the hearts of thousands of fans, many of whom are young. And as all of this were not enough, once again, we have an esteemed member of the Connecticut State Democrat Party with his hand in the till leveraging his take through a nonprofit organization.

Before we delve into that, let us define our terms. A nonprofit organization is defined as a legal entity organized for purposes other than generating profit, such as charitable, educational, or social causes, where no part of the net income is to be distributed to directors or officers. Even though reasonable compensation is allowed, a nonprofit must use all revenue exceeding expenses to further their mission rather than for private gain or inurement.

Over the course of time in Connecticut and in review of a number of the abuses of the past, some may wonder why Connecticut’s nonprofits are even considered to be “nonprofit.” In some cases, those who are politically connected with the Connecticut Democrat Party or who hold elected office in the state are somehow able to gain income and profit from these same state subsidized nonprofits. Confusing? It is very confusing and is meant to be, in order to hide the complex web of money that flows in and out of these organizations.

The latest issue involves the “Human Resources Agency of New Britain.” Since 1964, the organization has stated that it has been dedicated to “increasing economic self-sufficiency among individuals and families. It provides a wide variety of services that support citizens at every phase of life, from early childhood education to employment and training to elderly assistance. Its mission is to respond to the causes and conditions of poverty while building stronger individuals, families, and communities.”

Given the same, abused and intransparent abuse-filled conveyor belt that no politician wishes to fully overhaul, this organization receives a significant amount of money from the State of Connecticut. Its most recent available Form 990 from 2023 shows that Executive Director Marlo Greponne received $165,338 dollars in compensation along with $32,300 dollars in additional compensation. The Director of Finance and Sustainability, James Frohn, received $130,322 dollars along with $25,038 dollars in additional compensation. Director Amy Griswold received $105,191 dollars with $14,338 dollars in additional compensation. As the old song says, its nice work if you can get it. 

Based on available financial filings, this nonprofit receives approximately 7 to 8 million dollars in federal pass-through grants, along with well over 10 to 12 million dollars in direct and indirect funding from the State of Connecticut. Its total budget is roughly 23 million dollars. All this money is intended to combat poverty.Yet in 2026, New Britain continues to face serious social and economic challenges, including job losses from one of its largest employers, Stanley Black and Decker, which is closing manufacturing units in the city. The city also continues to struggle with illegal drug activity and other chronic issues.

Formerly under the stewardship of Republican candidate for governor Erin Stewart, New Britain is represented at the state level by Democrat State Senator Rick Lopes of the 6th District. According to his website, Lopes highlights efforts to secure funding for housing, health care, and other initiatives. However, and most recently, questions have been raised regarding financial connections between Lopes and the Human Resources Agency of New Britain.

According to reporting by “Inside Investigator,” two companies owned by Senator Lopes have been among the highest paid contractors to the nonprofit. These companies reportedly received 1.6 million dollars between 2018 and 2024, based on a review of the organization’s Form 990 filings. At the same time, the Office of State Ethics has stated that this arrangement does not violate state ethics laws because the companies are not directly contracting with the state and therefore do not require disclosure on financial filings.

Taking into account this sickeningly insufficient explanation from the heart of the Great Connecticut Administrative State, this taking raises an important question. If the “Human Resources Agency of New Britain” receives substantial taxpayer funding, should those financial relationships be subject to greater scrutiny? More broadly, what measurable outcomes have been achieved since 1964 if both Connecticut and New Britain continue to experience economic decline, rot, and persistent social challenges? Can it be argued that billions of dollars spent on nonprofits over the past fifty years have produced limited results, if any at all?

A larger issue is how political ethics are viewed in Connecticut. A pattern appears to emerge where elected officials support funding for nonprofits, while businesses connected to those same officials receive compensation for services provided to those nonprofits. And but for the egregious abuses of the Blue Hills Civic Association and this instant case, one must ask if these questions would have ever been raised at all.

However, there are even further questions. Are there other businesses in Connecticut that could perform these services at a lower cost through a competitive bidding process? Why are executives at some nonprofit organizations paid at such high levels? Why does no real oversight of these organizations exist at all? And why are these organizations not subject to any Freedom of Information disclosure whatsoever?

Connecticut faces a nonprofit spending problem, a politically connected profit problem, an illegally overcompensated politician problem and a lack of oversight problem. Meanwhile, those most in need continue to struggle, and taxpayers are left questioning how their money is being used.

So, in this 2026 election year which many have considered to be the “Last Chance Saloon” in the annals of Connecticut history, critical questions need to be answered. Will this same, intransparent abuse-filled fiscal conveyor belt covertly feeding nonprofits that no politician wishes to fully overhaul, finally be overhauled (or, eliminated?) Will real-time financial disclosures be available from these organizations as a condition of their grants? Will reasonable compensation guidelines be instituted? Will the next governor empower a citizen DOGE picked by fellow citizens? And will “quasi-public” organizations such as the Department of Economic and Community Development and “Connecticut Innovations” and “Advance CT” be abolished, or even overhauled in the least? The answers to those questions will determine if those patrons in the “Last Chance Saloon” will either live to enjoy another day or die in a hail of bullets in what will be the end of a once-great, innovative, and proud state.

May God Save The Once Great State of Connecticut in 2026.