Connelly Foundation
The Connelly Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1955 by John F. and Josephine Connelly, the foundation operates as a non-profit organization dedicated to improving quality of life in the Philadelphia region through charitable giving and community support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$362.1M
+5.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$15.4M
+5.5% YoY
Grant Count
305
-1.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$50K
+6.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Connelly Foundation reported a distributable amount of $17.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Vision
The Connelly Foundation envisions a Philadelphia region that is culturally, economically, intellectually, and socially vibrant, bolstered by a strong network of civil society organizations that provide abundant opportunities for people to improve their own lives and those of their families.
Mission
Inspired by its Catholic heritage, the Connelly Foundation strives to improve the quality of life in the Philadelphia region by supporting charitable organizations in education, human services, arts and culture, and civic life that strengthen resilience and help people to flourish.
Primary Focus Areas
- Catholic Education (promoting access and excellence in PreK-12 schools)
- Human Services (addressing basic needs and creating pathways to stability)
- Arts & Culture (supporting access and educational programs)
- Civic Renewal
Grantmaking
The foundation provides grants for:
Review Cycle
basis. The foundation's preference is to receive correspondence electronically.
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Connelly Foundation primarily serves the Philadelphia region, including the surrounding counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery, as well as the city of Camden, New Jersey.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $362,122,598
- Annual Income: $50.2 million
- Total Giving (2022): $15,400,000
- Cumulative Grants (Historical): Over half a billion dollars distributed since inception
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $362,122,598 | $342,952,074 | $319,670,665 |
| Revenue | $36,726,894 | $25,695,726 | $21,023,180 |
| Expenses | $22,232,954 | $23,097,650 | $23,525,657 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $19,719,480 | $18,598,758 | $17,397,934 |
| Net Investment Income | $35,087,792 | $24,612,316 | $18,041,386 |
| Distributable Amount | $17,036,954 | $15,883,525 | $16,423,306 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
203 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Connelly Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Archdiocese of Philadelphia ($2,634,408), Archbishop John Carroll High School ($456,000), Bishop Shanahan High School ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A COMMUNITY CENTER ESTABLISHED BY THE SURGENT FAMILY FOR SOCIETY CHESTER, PA | COMMUNITY SUPPORT,STAFF DISCRETIONARY GRANT,SUMMER SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES,GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $61,000 |
| ACADEMY OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR VILLANOVA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT - TRUSTEE DISCRETIONARY GRANT, CABRINI TRANSPORTATION | $1,900 |
| ACHIEVEABILITY PHILADELPHIA, PA | TECHUP | $30,000 |
| ACLAMO NORRISTOWN, PA | YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS | $20,000 |
| ACTING WITHOUT BOUNDARIES BRYN MAWR, PA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $41,000 |
| ADVOCATES FOR HOMELESS AND THOSE IN NEED INC FAIRLESS HILLS, PA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH EQUITY COATESVILLE, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT - STAFF DISCRETIONARY GRANT | $2,500 |
| AMERICAN CATHOLIC HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PHILADELPHIA PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT - FOUNDATION DISCRETIONARY GRANT | $3,050 |
| AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT - TRUSTEE DISCRETIONARY GRANT | $1,000 |
| ANDALUSIA FOUNDATION ANDALUSIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT - FOUNDATION DISCRETIONARY GRANT, 2026 EXHIBITION | $53,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders
- John F. Connelly – Self-taught entrepreneur who created Connelly Containers and led the turnaround of Crown Cork & Seal Co. He headed the foundation until his death in 1990.
- Josephine Connelly – Co-founder who led the foundation until her death in 1999.
Current Staff
- Fran Burns – Executive Vice President
The foundation employs approximately 11 people across administrative, education, general management, finance, and research departments.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS A RILEY | BOARD CHAIR, PRES. & TRUSTEE | 40 | $423,231 |
| VALERIE K MARTIN | CFO & TREASURER | 40 | $263,310 |
| FRANCES T BURNS | EXEC VP, CHIEF OP OFCR, SECRETARY | 40 | $257,400 |
| TIMOTHY J DURKIN | VICE PRESIDENT GRANTMAKING | 40 | $238,098 |
| CRAIG CARNAROLI | TRUSTEE (FINANCE & COMP CMTE) | 3.03 | — |
| CHRISTINE C CONNELLY | TRUSTEE (GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE) | 2.79 | $40,000 |
| STEPHAN CONNELLY | TRUSTEE (FINANCE COMMITTEE) | 2.61 | $21,000 |
| THOMAS S CONNELLY | TRUSTEE (GOV & NOMINATING CMT) | 2.89 | $40,500 |
| BRENDAN DELANY | TRUSTEE | 1.79 | $20,000 |
| CELINE DELANY | TRUSTEE | 1.79 | $20,000 |
| ISABELLE DELOUVRIER | TRUSTEE (COMPENSATION CMTE) | 2.21 | — |
| SCOTT JENKINS | TRUSTEE (FINANCE, AUDIT & NOM) | 3.06 | — |
| VINCENZO LARUFFA | TRUSTEE (FINANCE COMMITTEE) | 2.61 | — |
| JOSEPHINE C MANDEVILLE | TRUSTEE | 10 | $110,000 |
| AMELIA RILEY | TRUSTEE (NOMINATING COMMITTEE) | 1.89 | $21,750 |
| EMILY C RILEY | TRUSTEE | 10 | $85,000 |
| FIONA RILEY | TRUSTEE | 1.79 | $20,000 |
| BINNEY WIETLISBACH | TRUSTEE (AUDIT & COMP CMTE) | 2.56 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2022, the foundation distributed over $13.8 million to organizations and institutions serving the Philadelphia region and surrounding areas.
Connelly Foundation grants $70K for support programs at two PhiladelphiaThe foundation has provided support across multiple initiatives including:
Connelly Foundation grants $70K for support programs at two PhiladelphiaParochial school student scholarships
Colleges and universities
Museums and cultural institutions
Programs addressing homelessness, disability support, and technology for schools
Workforce development and skills training
Contact Information
Address One Tower Bridge 100 Front Street, Suite 1450 W. Conshohocken, PA 19428-2873
Phone (610) 834-3222
Email info@connellyfdn.org
Website connellyfdn.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Connelly Foundation fund?
**Vision** The Connelly Foundation envisions a Philadelphia region that is culturally, economically, intellectually, and socially vibrant, bolstered by a strong network of civil society organizations that provide abundant opportunities for people to improve their own lives and those of their families. **Mission** Inspired by its Catholic heritage, the Connelly Foundation strives to improve the quality of life in the Philadelphia region by supporting charitable organizations in education, human …
How do I apply for a grant from Connelly Foundation?
**Grant Types & Amounts** The foundation provides grants for: • General operating support • Specific programs and projects • Capital projects (renovation and new construction) Typical grant awards range from $50 to $2,634,408. Average awards are approximately $41,000, with unsolicited requests not exceeding $100,000. **Application Process** The Connelly Foundation accepts applications on a rolling deadline basis. The foundation's preference is to receive correspondence electronically.
Where does Connelly Foundation make grants?
The Connelly Foundation primarily serves the Philadelphia region, including the surrounding counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery, as well as the city of Camden, New Jersey.
What size grants does Connelly Foundation award?
In 2024, Connelly Foundation awarded 305 grants totaling $15.4M — an average of about $50K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Connelly Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Connelly Foundation reported a distributable amount of $17.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Connelly Foundation's EIN?
Connelly Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-6296825. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Connelly Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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