Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation
The Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation is a private foundation based in West Hartford, Connecticut. Its 2025 filing reports 20 grants totaling $168,000 to charitable organizations.
Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation at a glance
In short: Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation gave $168K across 20 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), top state Connecticut. 55% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $168,000
- +25.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 20
- +42.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $8,400
- -12.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $3,376,540
- +0.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 55% first-time grantees (11 of 20, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (22% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: Co 75 Isham Road 400, West Hartford, CT 06107
Phone: (860) 961-6042
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Classical Uprising ($20K). Together the top 10 received $105K.
Grant Size Distribution
71 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 71 grants of 71 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing reports that grant dollars went to recipients in Connecticut (22%), New Hampshire (21%), New York (18%), Maine (12%), and Georgia (6%), among other states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation open to new grantees?
55%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 11 of 20 grantees (55%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $9K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $8K repeat.
- 25% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+4%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 99% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $130K (2021) to $251K (2020). In 2025 it made 20 grants totaling $168K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Classical Uprising Portland, ME | Current Use for Charitable Purposes | $20,000 |
| Care Atlanta, GA | Current Use for Charitable Purposes | $10,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders USA Inc New York, NY | Current Use for Charitable Purposes | $10,000 |
| Droplets of Mercy USA Inc McLean, VA | Current Use for Charitable Purposes | $10,000 |
| Heal Palestine Inc Kent, OH | Current Use for Charitable Purposes | $10,000 |
| Red Bull Theater New York, NY | Current Use for Charitable Purposes | $10,000 |
| The Blue Door Foundation Niantic, CT | Current Use for Charitable Purposes | $10,000 |
| Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Congregation (Muusic 4 Uu) Peterborough, NH | Current Use for Charitable Purposes | $9,000 |
| Pat Macs Pack Inc Chicago, IL | Current Use for Charitable Purposes | $8,000 |
| Broken Souls Rescue and Recovery Inc Staten Island, NY | Current Use for Charitable Purposes | $7,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,376,540 | $259,636 | $225,968 | $168,000 | 20 | $168,000 | $204,693 | $169,405 |
| 2024 | $3,352,332 | $207,672 | $189,462 | $134,000 | 14 | $134,000 | $153,429 | $163,716 |
| 2023 | $3,346,425 | $139,295 | $184,774 | $135,000 | 11 | $135,000 | $89,521 | $152,947 |
| 2022 | $3,406,141 | $124,396 | $214,702 | $161,200 | 16 | $161,200 | $73,291 | $160,408 |
| 2021 | $3,515,530 | $209,688 | $174,392 | $130,000 | 10 | $130,000 | $165,296 | $187,805 |
| 2020 | $3,484,110 | $559,937 | $290,957 | $250,942 | 18 | — | $67,715 | $176,034 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation reported a distributable amount of $169K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included organizations working in areas such as arts and culture, humanitarian aid, conservation education, youth development, food assistance, and literacy. These are grantee activities, not stated foundation priorities. For example, Classical Uprising describes its mission as creating immersive classical music experiences, while the Harris Center for Conservation Education says it promotes understanding and respect for the natural environment. House of Bread describes providing services to people experiencing hunger, homelessness, and need in the Hartford area.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave 20 grants totaling $168,000. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $20,000, with a median of $7,500. The largest listed grant was $20,000 to Classical Uprising. Other notable grants included $10,000 each to CARE, Doctors Without Borders USA, Droplets of Mercy USA, Heal Palestine, Red Bull Theater, and The Blue Door Foundation. The foundation also awarded $7,500 each to the Harris Center for Conservation Education, Flying Gravity Circus, House of Bread, Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford, and Covenant Soup Kitchen.
The foundation’s filing states that contributions are made only to preselected charitable organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Therese Davidson, Chase Wilson Roeper, and Ned Manuel as trustees.
Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Chase Wilson Roeper
Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $14K (2025)
Therese Davidson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $14K (2025)
Ned Manuel
Trustee
On filings since 2024
10 hrs/week
$7K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $14K, to Therese Davidson (Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation
How much does Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation give each year?
Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation gave $168K across 20 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $134K across 14 grants.
What is Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation's typical grant size?
Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $7,500, and its average grant was $8,400, across 20 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation that year got $8K on average.
Where does Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation give grants?
Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation's top state is Connecticut, with 22% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New Hampshire (21%) and New York (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants), Peterborough, NH (2 grants) and Hartford, CT (2 grants).
Who are Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation's largest grantees?
Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Classical Uprising ($20,000), Care ($10,000) and Doctors Without Borders USA Inc ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation?
Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation reported $3.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $168K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $169K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included organizations working in areas such as arts and culture, humanitarian aid, conservation education, youth development, food assistance, and literacy. These are grantee activities, not stated foundation priorities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation's EIN?
Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2341663. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Connecticut
Cornelia Bessie Memorial Foundation
West Hartford, CT
The Cornelia Bessie Memorial Foundation supports charitable organizations with varied purposes, including hunger relief, humanitarian aid, arts, and conservation. Its 2026 grants ranged from $2,000 to $25,000, with a median of $9,500, and went mainly to organizations in Connecticut and several other states. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.0M
Grants
30
Total Given
$287K
Boston Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
The Boston Foundation funds nonprofits and community initiatives focused on equity and opportunity, including child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer amounts such as $50,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$2.1B
Grants
2,375
Total Given
$228.4M
New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
Concord, NH
The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation supports nonprofits and students in New Hampshire across areas including health, education, housing, the environment, arts and civic life. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, while its Responsive Grants offer eligible nonprofits up to $10,000; applications are accepted through that program on a rolling basis.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
949
Total Given
$59.7M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Americares Foundation Inc
Stamford, CT
Americares funds health care organizations and programs focused on disaster preparedness and recovery, access to medicines and medical supplies, and community health services. In 2025, its grants ranged from $5,073 to $3.86 million, with a median of about $58,700; it works in the United States and internationally, reaching an average of 80 countries each year. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$372.5M
Grants
635
Total Given
$113.3M
American Savings Foundation Inc
New Britain, CT
The foundation funds education, human services, and arts and culture, especially programs serving children, youth, and families, with a primary focus on New Britain and Waterbury and grants across 64 Connecticut towns. In 2025, its grants ranged from $238 to $150,000, with a median of $1,750; it also offers Community Grants of up to $5,000.
Assets
$107.0M
Grants
613
Total Given
$3.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in Connecticut
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/cornelia-and-michael-bessie-foundation-morg_c817faffc37847a8a0ff1944e0b2e01f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_262341663_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/cornelia-and-michael-bessie-foundation-morg_c817faffc37847a8a0ff1944e0b2e01f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?