Martha & Herman Copen Fund

Patient receiving treatment at Gaylord Hospital

Native to New York, Martha and Herman Copen lived an active life in their Hamden, Connecticut community for nearly 30 years. The couple shared many common interests - including a love for the arts and music and an appreciation for organizations that seek to improve the quality of life. For many years, Herman and Martha were very involved in the New Haven Symphony; Martha was president of its Board of Directors and of the New Haven Symphony Auxilliary. She was also a founding member of The Foundation's Community Fund for Women & Girls and a member of the Allocation Committee of the United Way of Greater New Haven. Through their estate plans, the Copens established a designated fund at The Community Foundation to provide a permanent funding source for seven organizations impacting the region. Now, each year, a percentage of income from the Martha and Herman Copen Fund is distributed to: Yale-New Haven Hospital, United Way of Greater New Haven, Gaylord Hospital, Neighborhood Music School, Regional Visiting Nurse Agency, Connecticut Hospice, and the American Symphony Orchestra League.