The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-05-03
COMMUNITY CHESTS.
1886 = Waterbury Committee Visits Bridgeport to Obtain Data on Plan to Be Adopted Here.

Never was the truisln that Great Trees From Little Acorns Grow" better illustrated than in the growth of the Community Chest since its inception as a salvaging agency in the life of community. This is demonstrated in the secretary $ Fifteenth Annual Report of the Bridgeport Community Chest and Council now available for publica- tion.
 The data at hand for eight Con- necticut cities shows amounts raised in the 1886 campaigns to have been $2,325, ,629 compared to $2,335,- 879 for the previous year. This was a decrease of 10,250, or 99.6 per cent of the amount raised in 1885. A committee from Waterbury recently spent half a day in Bridgeport studying the workings of the Chest in that city, with view of its possible adoption in Water bury.
 In New England reports show that 27 cities in this, section con- ducted campaigns last year. These show $5,050,589, raised as against $5,008,743 the year before.
 In the United States, Canada and elsewhere 28 new Community Chests were organized during the year. The largest of these was Boston, leav. ing only one large city, New York still without a Chest. Others worthy of mention are Regina, Saskatches wan, Canada; Hilo, Hawaii; Pater. son, N. J.; and Altoona, Penn Seven Chests were reorganized Thirty-five cities are contemplating the organization of Community Chests, of which four previously had come of federated plan. Nota- ble among these are Liverpool, Eng land; Bananquilla, Columbia; and Camden, N. J. Twenty-three Chests were abandoned during the year or found it unnecessary to conduct a campaign. Only two of these were in cities of more than 10000 popu- lation. Miami and Knoxville (the former is already planning reor- ganization) three were in cities of approximately 45.000; four averaged about 30,000; three about 15,000; and eleven less than 10000.
 Increases in Smaller Brackets
 The greatest increases by groups of contributors were in the smaller brackets. There were some very notable exceptions in the larger gifts from corporations. but these were offset by reductions in the same group, so that gains were not sustained. A nationwide increase if, number of contributors came as a result of improved employment conditions and the herculean et- forts of Community Chests every where to compensate insofar as possible for losses in the upper brackets. Again, it should be em- phasized, however, that "coverage' or spread of giving, while most essential to real Community Chest, can never take the place o1 larger gifts, no matter how credit able the record is. The success ur failure of fund raising, for a fairly adequate social welfare program rests with the big givers.
 It may be said, however, tha taf- ter a struggle for the past three years, that the z trend of the tide has definitely turned; 295 Chests in as many cities report raising $58, ,555 ,060 in budget campaigns. or 1O3.7 per cent of the amount realized in the previous year which was $56. .48O.O9l,
 The following chart gives a com parison of results in cities raising $l25, ,0OO in this section of New Eng land comparing 1885 with 1877: