From our community to yours: Launching our first Connecticut card
In 2025, Ultimate Fundraising Inc. set the goal of expanding beyond the Hudson Valley and into the tri-state area. In 2026, that goal has come to fruition.
Introducing our first Connecticut product, the East Hartford Ultimate Discount Card ™. This card features 30 new businesses who are offering unique, exclusive discounts for the community. From 10% off at Key Foods to a free tire rotation at Tires + Services LLC, this card has deals that are perfect for every family.
Shawn Perry, leading Sales Representative in East Hartford, explained what it took to create this product, “Bringing the East Hartford card together was really about relationships and community pride. As someone who grew up in East Hartford and whose family has lived here for over 70 years, this project was very personal to me. I’ve been active with a number of local community groups over the years — including East Hartford Little League, Friends of the East Hartford Library, the East Hartford Lions Club, and the East Hartford Rotary Club — so I’ve seen firsthand how important these organizations are to the fabric of the town. It took time connecting with local business owners, listening to their stories, and working with community groups to create something that supports East Hartford while celebrating the businesses that make the community unique.
Not only does this card showcase amazing offers to help community members save, but it will also serve as an easy and successful fundraising tool for local schools and nonprofits. “I hope the card becomes a simple, inclusive way for people to support East Hartford while also discovering everything the town has to offer. East Hartford is a culturally diverse community with an incredible mix of restaurants and local businesses, and one of the goals of this card is to shine a spotlight on that diversity. Just as important, the goal is to work with as many community groups as possible — especially schools, youth sports teams, nonprofits, and organizations that may not have the time, manpower, or resources to run traditional fundraisers,” said Perry.
Perry continued, “As an East Hartford Little League coach, I also see this as a fun, educational way for kids and families to engage with their community. Using these cards as a fundraising tool lets them discover new favorite places to eat and shop, learn about local businesses, and become aware of other community groups doing great work. It’s a simple way to raise funds while helping residents connect more deeply with their town."
This card is just the first step towards a statewide expansion. As Perry put it, “East Hartford is an important starting point, but the larger vision is to grow this model thoughtfully across Connecticut. We’re already working on cards in communities like Danbury and exploring opportunities in towns such as Wethersfield, Glastonbury, Manchester, South Windsor, and Hartford. Each card is built intentionally around local businesses and community groups, with a focus on making participation easy and effective for organizations of all sizes.”
Additionally, we are also working on several New Jersey cards that will be available for purchase come springtime!
“At its core, this card is about inclusion, accessibility, and community pride. We want to include as many East Hartford groups as possible and make participation easy — whether that’s selling cards to families, sharing a link on social media, or promoting the card at events. We provide guidance and support so each organization can use the card in a way that works best for them. This is a great moment for our community to come together around local businesses and community groups and grow together,” concluded Perry.
The East Hartford Ultimate Discount Card™ is available for purchase as a digital or physical card at our storefront, linked here.