Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial
Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial is a private foundation based in Fairfield, Connecticut. Its 2025 grants supported charitable organizations, with all grant dollars going to recipients in Connecticut according to the filing data.
Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial at a glance
In short: Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial gave $132K across 25 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Connecticut. 8% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $132,000
- -7.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 25
- -13.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,280
- +7.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $4,000
- Total assets
- $2,728,564
- +0.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (2 of 25, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (100% 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 Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: Tellalian Fray 357 Commerce Dr, Fairfield, CT 06825
Phone: (203) 880-9275
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Greater Bridgeport Symphony ($32K). Together the top 10 received $95K.
Grant Size Distribution
163 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 163 grants of 163 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars in 2025 went to recipients in Connecticut, according to the filing data.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 25 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $4K repeat.
- 92% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 25% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 96% 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 (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $132K (2025) to $175K (2022). In 2025 it made 25 grants totaling $132K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Bridgeport Symphony Bridgeport, CT | 40Operations | $32,000 |
| Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestra Bridgeport, CT | Operations | $10,000 |
| Homes for the Brave Bridgeport, CT | Operations | $10,000 |
| Mikey's Way Foundation Easton, CT | Programs | $10,000 |
| The Klein Memorial Auditorium Foundation Bridgeport, CT | Klein Theatre Arts (KTA) | $10,000 |
| Brady's Smile Fairfield, CT | Operations | $5,000 |
| Charlotte Helen Bacon Foundation Sandy Hook, CT | Operations | $5,000 |
| The Connecticut Zoological Society Bridgeport, CT | Programs | $5,000 |
| American Red Cross Connecticut Chapter Farmington, CT | Operations | $4,000 |
| Bridgeport Rescue Mission Bridgeport, CT | Operations | $4,000 |
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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 | $2,728,564 | $268,900 | $249,629 | $132,000 | 25 | $208,671 | $227,942 | $218,412 |
| 2024 | $2,706,554 | $-82,071 | $260,448 | $142,000 | 29 | $220,350 | $30,863 | $221,151 |
| 2023 | $3,051,462 | $243,383 | $262,594 | $148,000 | 36 | $221,922 | $202,711 | $213,094 |
| 2022 | $3,070,741 | $392,986 | $290,223 | $175,000 | 36 | $248,745 | $351,508 | $238,237 |
| 2021 | $2,967,866 | $470,136 | $264,016 | $148,000 | 37 | — | $427,770 | $225,104 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial reported a distributable amount of $218K 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 grants include support for arts and cultural organizations, youth programs, community services, and organizations addressing health and human needs. For example, Mikey’s Way Foundation describes its mission as enriching the lives of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, while Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County says it transforms Bridgeport children’s lives through arts education. Bridgeport Rescue Mission describes its work as serving hungry, homeless, and addicted people throughout Fairfield County.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $132,000 through 25 grants. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $32,000, with a median grant of $4,000.
Among its largest 2025 grants were $32,000 to Greater Bridgeport Symphony for operations; $10,000 each to Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestra and Homes for the Brave for operations, to Mikey’s Way Foundation for programs, and to The Klein Memorial Auditorium Foundation for Klein Theatre Arts. Other grants included $5,000 each to Brady’s Smile, Charlotte Helen Bacon Foundation, and The Connecticut Zoological Society; and $4,000 each to American Red Cross Connecticut Chapter, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, Easton Senior Citizen’s Center, and Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Elizabeth Tellalian as president, Robert S Tellalian Jr as vice president and treasurer, and Nevard W Tellalian as secretary.
Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial is led by Elizabeth Tellalian, President on every filing since 2021; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elizabeth Tellalian
President
On filings since 2021
6 hrs/week
$29K (2021) → $31K (2025)
Nevard W. Tellalian
Secretary
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
$16K (2021) → $17K (2025)
Robert S. Tellalian Jr.
Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
$16K (2021) → $17K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $31K, to Elizabeth Tellalian (President). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial
How much does Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial give each year?
Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial gave $132K across 25 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $142K across 29 grants.
What is Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial's typical grant size?
Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial's median grant in 2025 was $4,000, and its average grant was $5,280, across 25 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial that year got $3K on average.
Where does Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial give grants?
Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial gives mostly in Connecticut: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Bridgeport, CT (15 grants), Fairfield, CT (4 grants) and Easton, CT (2 grants).
Does Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Operations" (11 grants) and "Programs" (8 grants).
Who are Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial's largest grantees?
Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial's largest 2025 grantees include Greater Bridgeport Symphony ($32,000), Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestra ($10,000) and Homes for the Brave ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial?
Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial reported $2.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $209K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $218K (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 Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants include support for arts and cultural organizations, youth programs, community services, and organizations addressing health and human needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial's EIN?
Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-1078756. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/fred-r-and-hazel-w-carstensen-memorial-morg_97cbcc7022c44ec99917a81ab05c8cc4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_061078756_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Fred R \& Hazel W Carstensen Memorial funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/fred-r-and-hazel-w-carstensen-memorial-morg_97cbcc7022c44ec99917a81ab05c8cc4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-06. 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 Fred R & Hazel W Carstensen Memorial'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.
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