The Joe and Cindy Goldberg Family Foundation Inc. is a private family foundation based in Guilford, Connecticut. Established in 2013, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic giving in their community and beyond. Joe Goldberg is a former board member of The Guilford Foundation and co-founder of Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale, a long-established restaurant business on the Connecticut shoreline.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$144K
+15.9% YoY
Grant Count
106
+5.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1K
+10.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary mission centers on empowering youth and creating opportunities for children to succeed. Joe and Cindy established the Joe & Cindy Goldberg Family Children's Opportunity Fund through The Guilford Foundation to support this vision.
The foundation funds programs and initiatives in the following areas:
- Education
- After-school care
- Arts and culture
- Recreation
- Health and wellness
- Mental health
- Social services
- Youth development programs
The foundation is guided by a principle of empathy, shaped by Joe and Cindy's experiences raising their two daughters, Amy and Melissa, in Guilford and their commitment to community involvement.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not appear to have a formal open application process; it makes grants to preselected organizations.
Average Grant
amount: approximately $1,000
How to Apply
; it makes grants to preselected organizations.
Ready to take the next step with Joe & Cindy Goldberg Family?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Connecticut (primary focus)
- New York
- District of Columbia
Guilford, Connecticut is the primary community of focus, reflecting Joe and Cindy's long-term residency and deep community ties.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $2,159,757
- Total Revenue: $101,164
- Total Expenses: $129,862
- Total Liabilities: $0
Asset Growth:
- 2012: $701,000
- 2023: $2,159,757
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since August 2013; donations are tax-deductible
Contact Information:
- Address: 130 Renee S Way, Guilford, CT 06437-1266
- Phone: (203) 457-0555
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Guilford Foundation ($36,250), Jewish Family Services of New Haven ($5,018), Connecticut Food Bank ($4,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GUILFORD LAND CONSERVATION TRUST GUILFORD, CT | SUPPORT ACQUISITION & PROTECTION OF OPEN SPACE IN GUILFORD, CT | $1,000 |
| SHORELINE GREENWAY TRAIL BRANFORD, CT | HELP CREATE RECREATIONAL TRAILS ON THE SHORELINE | $500 |
| GUILFORD VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT GUILFORD, CT | SUPPORT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT PROGRAMS | $250 |
| CONNECTICUT FOOD BANK NEW HAVEN, CT | ASSIST IN FEEDING THE STATE'S HUNGRY | $4,000 |
| GUILFORD FREE LIBRARY GUILFORD, CT | FUNDING TO BUY BOOKS & MATERIALS FOR THE LIBRARY | $1,000 |
| GUILFORD A BETTER CHANCE PROGRAM GUILFORD, CT | PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY TO WOMEN OF COLOR TO ATTEND GUILFORD HIGH SCHOOL | $1,500 |
| READ TO GROW BRANFORD, CT | BOOKS AND READING PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES | $500 |
| MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST | $500 |
| MYSTIC SEAPORT MYSTIC, CT | SUPPORT THE MISSION OF MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM | $500 |
| CONNECTICUT PUBLIC BROADCASTING NET HARTFORD, CT | SUPPORT CT PUBLIC TV AND RADIO PROGRAMS | $250 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Principal Officer: Joseph Goldberg
Governance: The foundation is governed by 4 officers and trustees.
Background:
- Joe Goldberg: Co-founder of Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale (established approximately 45 years ago with his brother Lenny); former board member of The Guilford Foundation; former board member of the Guilford Fund for Education; volunteer with Guilford Mentoring
- Cindy Goldberg: Spent 35 years as a teacher in the Hamden school system
- Daughters: Amy and Melissa (raised in Guilford)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOSEPH M GOLDBERG | President/Treas | 3 | — |
| CYNTHIA C GOLDBERG | V. Pres./Sec. | — | — |
| AMY HEALY | Director | — | — |
| MELISSA A GOLDBERG | Director | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2023, Joe and Cindy Goldberg established the Joe & Cindy Goldberg Family Children's Opportunity Fund with The Guilford Foundation, formalizing their commitment to supporting Guilford's youth and families through a wide range of programs.
St. Paul Jewish Federation, Goldberger Family Fund Helping Children withThe foundation's grantmaking reflects a commitment to local community support, with particular emphasis on youth development and educational opportunities. Their involvement with The Guilford Foundation ensures their philanthropic legacy will benefit the community for future generations.
[PDF] IMPACT REPORT 2024 - Guilford FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Joe & Cindy Goldberg Family fund?
The foundation's primary mission centers on empowering youth and creating opportunities for children to succeed. Joe and Cindy established the Joe & Cindy Goldberg Family Children's Opportunity Fund through The Guilford Foundation to support this vision. The foundation funds programs and initiatives in the following areas: • Education • After-school care • Arts and culture • Recreation • Health and wellness • Mental health • Social services • Youth development programs The foundation is guided …
How do I apply for a grant from Joe & Cindy Goldberg Family?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant awards range from $50 to $18,000 • Average grant amount: approximately $1,000 • Median grant amount: $500 • The foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations **Recent Grantmaking Activity:** • 2023: $124,250 in total giving across 102 grants • 2022: $210,000 distributed across 204 grants (highest grantmaking year on record) • 2020: $81,000 in annual giving **Historical Grantmaking:** • Total grants made: 393 grants totaling $41…
Where does Joe & Cindy Goldberg Family make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Connecticut (primary focus) • New York • District of Columbia Guilford, Connecticut is the primary community of focus, reflecting Joe and Cindy's long-term residency and deep community ties.
What size grants does Joe & Cindy Goldberg Family award?
In 2024, Joe & Cindy Goldberg Family awarded 106 grants totaling $144K — an average of about $1K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Joe & Cindy Goldberg Family's EIN?
Joe & Cindy Goldberg Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-5388089. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
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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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