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.
Key facts about Connelly Foundation
- EIN
- 23-6296825
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $15,400,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 305
- Average grant
- $50,492
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $362,122,598
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (93% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The Connelly Foundation accepts applications on a rolling deadline basis. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- Rolling
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Connelly Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Connelly Foundation's 305 itemized 2024 grants were Pennsylvania (93%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (140 grants), Washington, DC (8 grants), New York, NY (7 grants) and Norristown, PA (6 grants). 54% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Support" (15 grants), "Summer Scholars - 2024" (13 grants) and "Bridges for Schools Program 2024" (7 grants).
How Connelly Foundation gives
- 53% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 23% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 116% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Connelly Foundation
- How to evaluate Connelly Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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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
Review Cycle
basis. The foundation's preference is to receive correspondence electronically.
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Connelly Foundation?
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
Share of all 305 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
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 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
1,271 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Connelly Foundation
Connelly Foundation Grant
Connelly Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Connelly Foundation Grants (Catholic Education, Human Services, Arts & Culture)
Connelly Foundation
Amount
Average award $41,000; unsolicited requests must be under $100,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Archdiocese of Philadelphia ($2,634,408), National Philanthropic Trust ($1,554,415), Cobbs Creek Restoration and Community Foundation ($700,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia, PA | VISIONING COMMITTEE ON CATHOLIC EDUCATION, DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM, JCC ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS, NEUMANN SCHOLARSHIPS | $2,634,408 |
| NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST Jenkintown, PA | PHILADELPHIA FUNDER COLLABORATIVE FOR THE SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL | $1,554,415 |
| COBBS CREEK RESTORATION AND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION West Conshohocken, PA | COBBS CREEK EDUCATION CENTER | $700,000 |
| GWYNEDD MERCY ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL Lower Gwynedd, PA | CABRINI TRANSPORTATION, A PLACE TO SOAR CAMPAIGN | $500,600 |
| ARCHBISHOP JOHN CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL Radnor, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT - STAFF DISCRETIONARY GRANT, WELLNESS CENTER, COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $456,000 |
| CHILDREN'S SCHOLARSHIP FUND PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia, PA | BREAKING BARRIERS CAMPAIGN, AMBASSADORS AND CAMP CONNECTIONS PROGRAMS | $450,000 |
| SHARING EXCESS INC Philadelphia, PA | FOOD RESCUE CAPACITY BUILDING | $400,000 |
| OFFICE OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION - ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia, PA | CONNELLY ACCESS PROGRAM 2024-25, SUMMER TECH ACADEMY, GENERAL SUPPORT - FOUNDATION DISCRETIONARY GRANT, LEARNING SUPPORT SPECIALIST, ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT | $393,625 |
| INDEPENDENCE MISSION SCHOOLS Philadelphia, PA | CONNELLY ACCESS PROGRAM 2024-25, LEADER IMPACT AWARD - 2024, ENL SPECIALIST, FIRE ALARM MODERNIZATION, ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT | $340,500 |
| PROJECT HOME Philadelphia, PA | CONNELLY HOUSE RENOVATION, GENERAL SUPPORT - FOUNDATION & TRUSTEE DISCRETIONARY GRANTS | $295,500 |
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 IRS 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?
The Connelly Foundation accepts applications on a rolling deadline basis. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.