J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc
J. Walton Bissell Foundation, Inc. is a private foundation based in West Hartford, Connecticut. It provides funding to nonprofit organizations, primarily in Hartford, with giving focused on supporting communities under threat, elevating the arts, and investing in people with disabilities.
J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc gave $1.1M across 85 grants in 2024 (avg $12K), mostly in Connecticut. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,057,825
- +8.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 85
- +1.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $12,445
- +7.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $19,891,758
- +1.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (25 of 85, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests and is accepting applications from new applicants as well as current partners. Applications are submitted through the foundation’s website; it does not accept paper applications. Applicants must be U.S. organizations classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3), other than private foundations, and funds must be used exclusively within the United States. The application asks applicants to address at least four of five markers, including work confronting systemic inequities, leaders close to the issues, accessible and welcoming spaces, staff or volunteers who bear the consequences of the organization’s stand, and small, community-based budgets.
- Review Cycle
- The published deadline is August 31, 2026, with a grace period to complete the form through September 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Applications must be begun by August 31 at 11:59 p.m. The foundation says decisions will be made by December 10.
- Deadline
- The published deadline is August 31, 2026, with a grace period to complete the form through September 4, 2026, at…
- Contact
Application contact: Sarah D Anthony
Mailing address: PO Box 370067, West Hartford, CT 06137-0067
Phone: (860) 586-8201
Email: bissell@bissellfoundation.org
Website: https://bissellfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Charter Oak Amateur Boxing Academy ($25K). Together the top 10 received $220K.
Grant Size Distribution
353 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 347 grants of 353 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it funds nonprofit organizations primarily in Hartford, the homeplace of its founder. In 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to Connecticut recipients and 2% to Massachusetts recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 85 itemized grants.
Cities
Is J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 25 of 85 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 49% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+2%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $973K (2023) to $1.1M (2020). In 2024 it made 85 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Charter Oak Amateur Boxing Academy Hartford, CT | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| McEvir Inc DBA Makerspacect Hartford, CT | Center Tech for Teens | $25,000 |
| Second Chance Re-Entry Initiative Program Hartford, CT | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| The Underground NE Bloomfield, CT | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of CT Hartford, CT | General Operating Support | $20,000 |
| Bushnell Park Foundation Hartford, CT | General Operating Support | $20,000 |
| Community Partners in Action Hartford, CT | Prison Arts Program | $20,000 |
| Connecticut Puerto Rican Forum Inc Hartford, CT | General Operating Support | $20,000 |
| Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz Hartford, CT | The 33RD GHFJ Musical Journey | $20,000 |
| Harriet Beecher Stowe Center Hartford, CT | General Operating Support | $20,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $19,891,758 | $1,666,249 | $1,378,249 | $1,057,825 | 85 | $1,292,948 | $1,597,108 | $1,273,185 |
| 2023 | $19,603,677 | $886,747 | $1,266,690 | $972,500 | 84 | $1,193,483 | $814,798 | $1,157,503 |
| 2022 | $19,984,395 | $546,803 | $1,341,317 | $1,052,000 | 71 | $1,283,315 | $499,126 | $1,190,241 |
| 2021 | $20,778,131 | $955,392 | $1,328,240 | $1,036,500 | 60 | $1,258,780 | $906,515 | $1,343,505 |
| 2020 | $21,139,135 | $1,140,663 | $1,362,049 | $1,073,225 | 53 | — | $1,068,121 | $1,154,064 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s three stated pillars are supporting communities under threat, elevating the arts, and investing in people with disabilities. Its guidelines also prioritize responses to abuse, initiatives addressing gaps in the community, inclusion and belonging for people with disabilities, and the arts.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate a range of community work. Second Chance Re-Entry Initiative Program says it provides housing and transition assistance to people leaving prison; Community Partners in Action says it serves people affected by the criminal justice system. Charter Oak Amateur Boxing Academy describes using boxing to support the academic careers of high-risk urban youth. Arts grantees include TheaterWorks, which says it creates contemporary theater and shares intimate stories, and Real Art Ways, which says it presents and supports contemporary artists and engages audiences and communities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 85 grants totaling $1,057,825. Grants ranged from $4,825 to $25,000, with a median award of $10,000. Among the largest awards were $25,000 each to Charter Oak Amateur Boxing Academy, MakerspaceCT, Second Chance Re-Entry Initiative Program, and Underground NE. Other notable grants included $20,000 each to Big Brothers Big Sisters of CT, Bushnell Park Foundation, Community Partners in Action, Connecticut Puerto Rican Forum, Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, Hartford Interval House, and The Light Source Center.
The foundation’s guidelines say it generally makes no more than one grant to an organization in a calendar year and does not make grants to an organization in more than three consecutive calendar years. Exceptions may be considered through an appeal in exigent circumstances, but no grant will be made for more than four consecutive years.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sarah D. Anthony as President & CEO, and Hyacinth Douglas-Bailey, Richard A. Brown, Elizabeth B. Arulampalam, and Andrew F. Mayo as directors.
J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc is led by Sarah D. Anthony, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; all 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sarah D. Anthony
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$135K (2020) → $126K (2024)
Hyacinth Douglas-Bailey
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$9K (2020) → $9K (2024)
Richard A. Brown
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$9K (2020) → $9K (2024)
Andrew F. Mayo
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$6K (2023) → $9K (2024)
Elizabeth B. Arulampalam
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$6K (2023) → $9K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: LYN G Walkershipman Goodwin LLC (2020–2023) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $126K, to Sarah D Anthony (President & CEO). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc
How much does J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc give each year?
J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc gave $1.1M across 85 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $973K across 84 grants.
What is J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,445, across 85 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc that year got $11K on average.
Where does J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc give grants?
J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc gives mostly in Connecticut: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Hartford, CT (58 grants), New Haven, CT (5 grants), Windsor, CT (3 grants) and West Hartford, CT (2 grants).
Does J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 76% of J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (65 of 85) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Charter Oak Amateur Boxing Academy ($25,000), McEvir Inc DBA Makerspacect ($25,000) and Second Chance Re-Entry Initiative Program ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 7% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc?
J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc reported $19.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s three stated pillars are supporting communities under threat, elevating the arts, and investing in people with disabilities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests and is accepting applications from new applicants as well as current partners. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc's EIN?
J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-1245402. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/j-walton-bissell-foundation-inc-morg_0abccd5b8b20411186a1cca5b90efdd9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_061245402_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/j-walton-bissell-foundation-inc-morg_0abccd5b8b20411186a1cca5b90efdd9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 J Walton Bissell Foundation Inc'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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