Our Founder
Remembering Jeffrey P. Ossen
How We Began
A Brief History
2007
The Jeffrey P. Ossen Family Foundation was established per Jeffrey’s wishes following his passing in 2007. Jeffrey envisioned a family foundation in which his three daughters would be able to carry on his legacy and actively participate in charitable endeavors.
2010-2021
The Foundation operated and focused its grantmaking in Windham County, CT supporting many of the local non-profit organizations and Windham Hospital.
2022
Jeffrey’s three daughters, Elizabeth, Jacqueline and Carolyn become the sole Trustees of the Foundation. Jacqueline is appointed the Executive Director of the Foundation.
The Trustees begin the process of defining and identifying the Foundation’s next phase.
2023 - Present
The Foundation expands its geographic area of giving to include all of Connecticut with a particular emphasis on Eastern and Central Connecticut.
The Foundation begins to set initial priority areas of funding. However, as the Trustee’s continue to evaluate and determine a strategy for impactful grantmaking these priority areas may evolve. Current priority areas are: Housing, Education, Physical and Emotional Health.
Going Forward
JPOFF will continue to accept grant proposals that address opportunities to improve and strive to make systemic change in the following areas: Housing, Education and Physical and Emotional health. JPOFF is committed to partnering with organizations that inspire change and contribute to building a more equitable, just, and healthy society.
Our Board and Staff
Carolyn R. Linkov, Esq.
President
Carolyn is the youngest daughter of Jeffrey P. Ossen. She is a graduate of the University of Miami and holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Connecticut. Carolyn has been a practicing attorney with a specialization in tax law for over 20 years. Carolyn resides in Glastonbury, CT with her husband and two children.
Elizabeth S. Ossen, MSW
Vice President & Secretary
Liz is the oldest daughter of Jeffrey P. Ossen. She is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and received a Master of Social Work from the University of New England. Liz has spent over 25 years as a Care Manager at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Liz resides with her husband and two children in Lebanon, NH.
Jacqueline O. Berkowitz, MSW, LCSW
Executive Director & Treasurer
Jacqueline is the middle daughter of Jeffrey P. Ossen. In 2023, Jacqueline became the full time Executive Director of the JPOFF after spending more than 25 years practicing clinical social work in Connecticut. Jacqueline has extensive experience managing programs and providing direct clinical services to children, adolescents and their families in several different behavioral health settings in the Greater Hartford area. Jacqueline received her Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut and a BA from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA. Jacqueline lives in West Hartford, CT with her husband and has two adult children.