A Legacy of Kindness, Mentorship, and Second Chances
For generations to come, the name Richard P. Garmany will stand for generosity, kindness, and opportunity. Administered by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the Garmany Fund continues to honor the life and values of its namesake, who believed deeply in mentorship, second chances, and enriching the community through the arts, health care, conservation, and human services.
As Advisor to the Richard P. Garmany Fund, David Polk has carried Richard’s legacy forward with heart and purpose. Their bond was not simply professional—it was family. “Richard was like an uncle to my children,” Polk recalls. “He had no siblings or children of his own, and we became his Connecticut family.” That connection makes Polk’s stewardship more than an administrative duty; it is a labor of love rooted in friendship and trust.
Before his passing in 2008 from a blood disease, Richard asked Polk to be his executor. Together, they had imagined a future of philanthropy, but Richard’s life ended too soon. Polk has since taken on the responsibility of guiding the Fund’s resources to causes that reflect Richard’s spirit. “Richard wasn’t especially philanthropic in life—he was a Depression-era child and careful with money,” Polk explained. “But he told me he wanted to be remembered after he was gone. I’ve made it my mission to ensure his name is synonymous with generosity and impact.”
Today, the Garmany Fund supports more than 125 grants each year, investing in initiatives across Connecticut and beyond. The Fund touches nearly every corner of civic life—historic preservation, workforce development, health care, community services, and the arts. “We’ve expanded to Florida, Maine, and elsewhere, but always with an eye toward where Richard would have wanted to make a difference,” Polk noted.
That spirit of generosity now extends to Community Partners in Action (CPA). For Polk, supporting CPA was a natural fit. “Richard was a big believer in mentorship—he understood how important it was to have someone to guide and encourage you through difficult times,” he said. “CPA’s work is all about helping people reenter society with dignity and support. It was easy to see how Richard would have endorsed that.”
CPA’s Reentry Welcome Centers in Hartford and Waterbury provide essential services for people leaving incarceration—housing assistance, job readiness, medical and mental health support, and pathways to stability. Polk sees this as a continuation of the Fund’s longstanding investments in human potential, such as its past support of The Open Hearth shelter and Fresh Start Academy, which trains individuals in carpentry, mechanics, and other trades. “It’s all connected,” Polk said. “We’re surrounding people with opportunities, so supporting CPA felt like the next step.”
At the heart of Richard’s legacy lies his faith in second chances. Polk believes that if Richard were here today, he would remind people that no life should be defined solely by mistakes. “Richard believed everyone stumbles. Everyone faces times of hardship. But he also believed in kindness and in helping people get back on their feet,” Polk shared. “That’s why mentorship was so important to him—having someone in your corner can make all the difference.”
Polk remembers how Richard served as a mentor to his own son, Tyler, meeting him regularly for lunch after college. “Richard probably told him the same thing he told so many others: be kind, be generous, and think of others,” Polk reflected. “He wasn’t flashy, but he was deeply loved by everyone who knew him. He wanted people to live with compassion.”
It is that compassion which lives on through the Fund’s giving today. Whether through supporting the arts, providing shelter and job training, or strengthening organizations like CPA, the Garmany Fund ensures that Richard’s name is forever linked to the values he held dear.
“Richard’s story is about more than philanthropy,” Polk said. “It’s about believing in people, believing in community, and believing that kindness leaves the strongest legacy.”