Description
Connecticut Sports Foundation (CSF) is a non-profit IRS 501(C) (3) corporation chartered by the State of Connecticut whose mission is to provide economic assistance and compassionate aid to Connecticut cancer patients and their families. CSF has been operating for 25 years under the guidance of Jane G. Ellis, Executive Director of CSF. CSF is overseen by a 16-member, volunteer Board of Directors and a 22-member, volunteer Advisory Board of Directors.
John Ellis, a former catcher for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, and Texas Rangers, established CSF in 1987. John’s life was touched by cancer in several ways: He lost a sister, a brother, and a sister-in-law to cancer, all before they reached the age of 40. Then, John himself was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease, also prior to the age of 40. Fortunately John survived and CSF was born. John served as the Chairman of the CSF Board of Directors for many years and continues today as an active Board Member and avid fundraiser for the charity he founded more than two decades ago.
Since its inception, CSF has provided financial assistance to Connecticut families stricken with cancer, for rent, mortgage, utilities, car payments, medical co-pays, food, medications, gasoline and transportation to and from hospital/treatment centers. This financial assistance program is called the CSF Grant Recipient Program. The majority of Connecticut families requesting assistance are referred and screened for qualification by oncology social workers from Connecticut hospitals, cancer treatment centers, and hospices.
To raise funds and awareness for CSF’s Grant Recipient Program, CSF conducts an Annual Celebrity Dinner & Sports Memorabilia Auction fundraiser. The annual fundraiser is orchestrated with the assistance of more than 75 volunteers, including the CSF Board of Directors, Advisory Board members and Emeritus Board members. The many hospitals, cancer centers and hospices, whose patients are served by CSF’s Grant Recipient Program also support the annual fundraiser as they know firsthand how deserving and in-need the grant recipients are.
