Michael J Connell Foundation
The Michael J. Connell Foundation is a private foundation based in Pasadena, California. It supports cultural, educational, environmental, and medical endeavors, primarily in the Pasadena/Los Angeles area.
Michael J Connell Foundation at a glance
In short: Michael J Connell Foundation gave $962K across 22 grants in 2025 (avg $44K), mostly in California. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $962,000
- +26.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 22
- +37.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $43,727
- -8.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $40,000
- Total assets
- $12,712,803
- -0.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (8 of 22, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (83% 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 Michael J Connell Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Its grant program also states that it does not support multi-year grants.
- Contact
Mailing address: 155 S El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
Phone: (626) 796-2226
Website: https://www.mjcf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Michael J Connell Foundation
Who Michael J Connell Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Los Angeles Philharmonic Association ($142K). Together the top 10 received $662K.
Grant Size Distribution
96 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 62 grants of 96 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its support as primarily focused on the Pasadena/Los Angeles area. In 2025, 83% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, 12% to Montana, 3% to New York, and 1% each to Connecticut and Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Michael J Connell Foundation open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 22 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. With only 22 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $36K; repeat grants $48K. How we count
Medians: $43K first-time, $40K repeat.
- 36% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 30% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 111% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $740K (2022) to $962K (2025). In 2025 it made 22 grants totaling $962K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Philharmonic Association Los Angeles, CA | Board Member Dues/ Annual Fund 2024 | $142,000 |
| Five Acres Altadena, CA | Grant to Support Fire Recovery & Relief | $80,000 |
| Montana Shakespeare in the Parks Bozeman, MT | Grant for 2025 Summer Parks Tour | $70,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena Pasadena, CA | GRANT | $60,000 |
| CASA of Los Angeles Monterey Park, CA | Board Member Grant | $60,000 |
| Alexandria House Los Angeles, CA | GRANT | $50,000 |
| El Nido Family Centers Los Angeles, CA | Grant to Support Farmers Market Expansion | $50,000 |
| Musiique Pasadena, CA | GRANT | $50,000 |
| Reading Partners Los Angeles, CA | GRANT | $50,000 |
| Bitter Root Hamilton, MT | GRANT | $50,000 |
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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 | $12,712,803 | $1,092,833 | $1,182,290 | $962,000 | 22 | $1,023,722 | $934,266 | $918,426 |
| 2024 | $12,814,560 | $917,163 | $1,008,846 | $761,000 | 16 | $836,092 | $744,509 | $835,659 |
| 2023 | $12,934,362 | $739,902 | $958,930 | $750,000 | 18 | $807,133 | $588,105 | $848,492 |
| 2022 | $13,144,238 | $1,184,012 | $944,211 | $740,000 | 16 | $787,511 | $1,027,312 | $945,063 |
| 2021 | $12,914,189 | $1,253,394 | $1,028,554 | $815,000 | 24 | — | $1,091,830 | $889,207 |
| 2020 | $12,706,996 | $1,129,377 | $959,686 | $778,500 | 28 | — | $998,566 | $792,757 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Michael J Connell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $918K 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
The foundation’s stated priorities include performing and visual arts, environmental preservation, and healthcare access for under-resourced groups. Its environmental target needs include preserving natural resources and public lands, expanding access to land, connecting under-resourced groups with the outdoors, and protecting habitat for native species.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association describes offering performances, media initiatives, and learning programs. CASA of Los Angeles says it mobilizes volunteers to advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Reading Partners describes providing literacy support and individualized instruction to students. The Pasadena Conservatory of Music says it provides music education and performances, while A Noise Within describes producing classic theatre.
Grantmaking
The foundation awarded 22 grants totaling $962,000 in 2025. Awards ranged from $5,000 to $142,000, with a median of $40,000. Among the largest listed grants were $142,000 to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, $80,000 to Five Acres for fire recovery and relief, and $70,000 to Montana Shakespeare in the Parks for its 2025 summer parks tour. Other listed awards included $60,000 each to Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena and CASA of Los Angeles, and $50,000 each to Alexandria House, El Nido Family Centers, MusiiQue, Reading Partners, and Bitter Root.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michael J. Connell as president; Christopher Connell and Jennifer Devoll as directors; Leith O’Leary as vice president/treasurer; Paul Grossman as vice president; and Kristina Alley as director.
Michael J Connell Foundation is led by Michael J. Connell, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michael J. Connell
President
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Connell
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Devoll
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristina Alley
Director
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leith O'Leary
Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Grossman
Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Richard A. Grant (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Angelica Clark (2020) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about Michael J Connell Foundation
How much does Michael J Connell Foundation give each year?
Michael J Connell Foundation gave $962K across 22 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $761K across 16 grants.
What is Michael J Connell Foundation's typical grant size?
Michael J Connell Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $40,000, and its average grant was $43,727, across 22 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Michael J Connell Foundation that year got $36K on average.
Where does Michael J Connell Foundation give grants?
Michael J Connell Foundation gives mostly in California: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Montana (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Pasadena, CA (8 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (5 grants).
Does Michael J Connell Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 5% of Michael J Connell Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 22) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Grant" (13 grants).
Who are Michael J Connell Foundation's largest grantees?
Michael J Connell Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Los Angeles Philharmonic Association ($142,000), Five Acres ($80,000) and Montana Shakespeare in the Parks ($70,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Michael J Connell Foundation?
Michael J Connell Foundation reported $12.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $918K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Michael J Connell Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated priorities include performing and visual arts, environmental preservation, and healthcare access for under-resourced groups. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Michael J Connell Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Michael J Connell Foundation's EIN?
Michael J Connell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-6000904. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Michael J Connell 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 18, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Michael J Connell Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/michael-j-connell-foundation-morg_adf0a9baea5848d98a1434b3f5dba50e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_956000904_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Michael J Connell Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/michael-j-connell-foundation-morg_adf0a9baea5848d98a1434b3f5dba50e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Michael J Connell 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.
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