The Bornstein Collection of Funds

One Generous Couple. Thirteen New Funds.

Philanthropy was an integral part of Hal and Maureen Bornstein’s lives. Hal’s philosophy was, “There are no pockets in caskets. You can’t take the money with you.”

The Bornsteins
Hal and Maureen Bornstein. Photo credit Kathleen Cei.

Together the couple contributed to numerous organizations in the community by setting up multiple charitable gift annuities (CGAs) during their life together. Hal established several more after Maureen’s passing. CGAs appealed to the Bornsteins because through CGAs, the donor receives income from the gift that eventually starts a fund for a favorite organization.

“It’s a win-win,” said Hal.

In his eulogy of Maureen, Hal described the shared value system which guided their lives and giving. “We had discovered that our value systems were identical and this, combined with our intense love which permeated every day we shared together, made for a magnificent marriage. We went everywhere together. When you saw one of us, you saw the other.”

Their togetherness also extended to volunteerism, from putting on parties for kids in homeless shelters to organizing clothing drives.

Hal died in 2020 leaving a home filled with photos of Maureen and their four sons. Also on display was a spider plant — a reminder of his passion for growing the plants that he nurtured and donated to charities. His thoughtfulness was so legendary he eventually became known as “The Spiderman.”

Upon Hal’s passing, the couple’s twenty CGA’s became new permanent funds or were added to existing funds at The Foundation, each benefiting local nonprofits serving the community they so loved.

Funds established in 2020:

  • Dr. Harold D. & Maureen L. Bornstein Fund
    Est. 2020 by Dr. Harold D. & Maureen L. Bornstein.
  • Harold D. & Maureen L. Bornstein Fund for the Connecticut Children’s Museum
    Est. 2020 by Dr. Harold D. Bornstein.
  • Harold D. & Maureen L. Bornstein Fund for the Connecticut Food Bank
    Est. 2020 by Dr. Harold D. Bornstein.
  • Harold D. & Maureen L. Bornstein Fund for Connecticut Voices for Children
    Est. 2020 by Dr. Harold D. Bornstein.
  • Harold D. & Maureen L. Bornstein Fund for Elm Shakespeare Company
    Est. 2020 by Dr. Harold D. Bornstein.
  • Harold D. & Maureen L. Bornstein Fund for IRIS
    Est. 2020 by Dr. Harold D. Bornstein.
  • Harold D. & Maureen L. Bornstein Fund for the New Haven Museum
    Est. 2020 by Dr. Harold D. & Maureen L. Bornstein.
  • Harold D. & Maureen L. Bornstein Fund for New Haven Promise
    Est. 2020 by Dr. Harold D. Bornstein.
  • Bornstein Fund for the New Haven Symphony Orchestra
    Est. 2020 by Dr. Harold D. & Maureen L. Bornstein.
  • Harold D. & Maureen L. Bornstein Fund for Ronald McDonald House
    Est. 2020 by Dr. Harold D. Bornstein.
  • Harold D. & Maureen L. Bornstein Fund for WSHU
    Est. 2020 by Dr. Harold D. & Maureen L. Bornstein.
  • Harold D. & Maureen L. Bornstein Fund for Youth Continuum Inc.
    Est. 2020 by Dr. Harold D. Bornstein.
  • Changing Children’s Lives Inc. Endowment Fund
    Est. 2020 by Dr. Harold D. & Maureen L. Bornstein.