Updated Oct 28, 2026
Private foundations based in Connecticut
743 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Connecticut, holding $17B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 14 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation Incsince 2002 | Ridgefield, CT | $2.0B1 grants · 2025 | $2.0B | Yes | $303M |
| Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation Incsince 2001 | Stamford, CT | $130M191 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $537M |
| Dalio Foundation Incsince 2003 | Westport, CT | $51M214 grants · 2024 | $40K | Preselected only | $1.5B |
| Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation Incsince 2007 | Mystic, CT | $48M2024 | — | Not stated | $1.0B |
| The Tow Foundation Incsince 2000 | New Canaan, CT | $47M206 grants · 2025 | $100K | Preselected only | $314M |
| Halvorsen Family Foundationsince 2002 | Stamford, CT | $35M33 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $365M |
| Jane and Daniel Och Family Foundationsince 2009 | Greenwich, CT | $31M2 grants · 2024 | $15M | Preselected only | $570M |
| Zoom Foundationsince 2001 | Greenwich, CT | $30M7 grants · 2024 | $175K | Preselected only | $1.5B |
| Seedlings Foundationsince 2002 | Branford, CT | $28M96 grants · 2025 | $150K | Preselected only | $226M |
| Synchrony Foundationsince 2018 | Stamford, CT | $21M374 grants · 2025 | $6,937 | Preselected only | $71M |
| F B Heron Foundationsince 1992 | New Haven, CT | $15M77 grants · 2024 | $2,500 | Yes | $349M |
| Melville Charitable Trust Incsince 2017 | New Haven, CT | $12M54 grants · 2024 | $150K | Yes | $131M |
| Newmans Own Foundationsince 2004 | Westport, CT | $12M169 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $216M |
| Lone Pine Foundation Incsince 2002 | Greenwich, CT | $10M1 grants · 2024 | $10M | Preselected only | $59M |
| Low Road Foundationsince 2004 | Sharon, CT | $9.9M1 grants · 2024 | $9.9M | Preselected only | $217M |
| Leon Lowenstein Foundation Incsince 1942 | New Haven, CT | $8.0M103 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $218M |
| Rutledge Family Foundationsince 2016 | Greenwich, CT | $7.6M23 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $44M |
| The Grossman Family Foundationsince 2010 | Cos Cob, CT | $7.5M1 grants · 2024 | $7.5M | Preselected only | $143M |
| Harold W McGraw Jr Family Foundation Incsince 2010 | Stamford, CT | $7.2M9 grants · 2024 | $404K | Preselected only | $51M |
| The Risc Foundation Incsince 2008 | New Haven, CT | $6.8M2 grants · 2024 | $3.4M | Preselected only | $279M |
| McChord Foundationsince 2022 | Norwalk, CT | $6.6M20 grants · 2024 | $130K | Preselected only | $182M |
| Azcat Foundationsince 2017 | Greenwich, CT | $6.6M1 grants · 2025 | $6.6M | Preselected only | $66M |
| Royce Family Fund Incsince 1986 | Greenwich, CT | $5.9M100 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $97M |
| Martino Family Foundationsince 2013 | New Canaan, CT | $5.4M16 grants · 2024 | $150K | Preselected only | $80M |
| Karin Bain and John Kukral Foundationsince 2017 | Old Greenwich, CT | $5.1M54 grants · 2025 | $24K | Preselected only | $85M |
| William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fundsince 1994 | Hamden, CT | $5.1M167 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $121M |
| Big Win Philanthropy Incsince 2021 | Greens Farms, CT | $5.1M12 grants · 2024 | $84K | Preselected only | $139M |
| Edward John Noble Foundation Incsince 1981 | Greenwich, CT | $5.0M41 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $121M |
| Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund for Medical Researchsince 1946 | New Haven, CT | $4.1M58 grants · 2024 | $74K | Yes | $60M |
| Bok Fam Foundation Trsince 2005 | Canaan, CT | $3.9M34 grants · 2024 | $40K | Preselected only | $46M |
| The Patrick and Catherine Donaghue Medical Research Foundationsince 1992 | Hartford, CT | $3.6M22 grants · 2025 | $156K | Yes | $81M |
| Mulberry Essence Foundationsince 2016 | Greenwich, CT | $3.5M63 grants · 2024 | $5,200 | Yes | $50M |
| American Savings Foundation Incsince 2005 | New Britain, CT | $3.4M613 grants · 2025 | $1,750 | Yes | $107M |
| Michael and Carol Lowenstein Foundation Incsince 2009 | Greenwich, CT | $3.4M16 grants · 2024 | $90K | Preselected only | $89M |
| John Brown Cook Foundation Incsince 1954 | Chester, CT | $3.1M15 grants · 2025 | $150K | Yes | $39M |
| Meredith and Whitney George Family Foundation Incsince 2005 | Darien, CT | $3.0M49 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $56M |
| Elinor Patterson Baker Foundationsince 1986 | Greenwich, CT | $3.0M1 grants · 2025 | $3.0M | Yes | $52M |
| The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Incsince 1985 | Tolland, CT | $2.9M190 grants · 2024 | $4,500 | Preselected only | $79M |
| Twenty-Seven Foundationsince 2008 | East Hartford, CT | $2.8M27 grants · 2025 | $35K | Preselected only | $38M |
| Connecticut Health Foundation Incsince 2002 | Hartford, CT | $2.6M95 grants · 2024 | $15K | Yes | $122M |
| Loon Point Foundationsince 2016 | Stamford, CT | $2.5M1 grants · 2024 | $2.5M | Preselected only | $49M |
| Pitch Foundationsince 2017 | Riverside, CT | $2.5M1 grants · 2025 | $2.5M | Preselected only | $157M |
| Liberty Bank Foundationsince 1997 | Middletown, CT | $2.3M144 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $47M |
| Maximilian E & Marion O Hoffman Foundation Incsince 1986 | West Hartford, CT | $2.1M54 grants · 2024 | $19K | Yes | $46M |
| Point72 Employee Directed Giving Foundationsince 2016 | Stamford, CT | $2.0M78 grants · 2024 | $4,500 | Preselected only | $55M |
| Pepper Whiston Foundationsince 2023 | West Hartford, CT | $1.9M19 grants · 2025 | $130K | Preselected only | $37M |
| Fred and Donna Nives Foundationsince 2004 | Stamford, CT | $1.8M27 grants · 2025 | $32K | Preselected only | $65M |
| Sbm Charitable Foundation Incsince 2001 | Manchester, CT | $1.7M87 grants · 2025 | $9,000 | Yes | $42M |
| Carey Family Foundationsince 2005 | Darien, CT | $743K3 grants · 2024 | $247K | Preselected only | $41M |
| Knobloch Family Foundationsince 1997 | Fairfield, CT | — | — | Not stated | $163M |
| Hampshire Foundation Incsince 2013 | Hartford, CT | — | — | Not stated | $122M |
| Skylight Charitable Trsince 2021 | Fairfield, CT | — | — | Not stated | $106M |
| Brothers Brook Foundationsince 2014 | Stamford, CT | — | — | Not stated | $104M |
| Weiss Family Foundationsince 2007 | Rocky Hill, CT | — | — | Not stated | $99M |
| S & L Marx Foundation Incsince 2004 | Greenwich, CT | — | — | Not stated | $83M |
| 1772 Foundation Incsince 1985 | Pomfret Ctr, CT | — | — | Not stated | $81M |
| John and Mary Pappajohn Family Foundationsince 2017 | Stamford, CT | — | — | Not stated | $71M |
| Foerster Bernstein Foundationsince 2014 | Norwalk, CT | — | — | Preselected only | $56M |
| Town Fair Tire Foundation Incsince 2003 | East Haven, CT | — | — | Not stated | $46M |
| Ayers Wild Cat Conservation Trsince 2019 | West Hartford, CT | — | — | Preselected only | $40M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in Connecticut
All 2| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | Connecticut Office of the Arts — Organizational GrantsStateConnecticut Office of the Arts | Connecticut Office of the Arts | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | Connecticut Humanities — Humanities GrantsStateConnecticut Humanities | Connecticut Humanities | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in Connecticut?
Our directory lists 743 private grantmaking foundations in Connecticut with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $17B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.