MLE Foundation Inc

Foundation · Grantmaker NEW CANAAN, CT EIN: 30-0517812

MLE Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in New Canaan, Connecticut. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) entity and was established in 2010.

Key facts about MLE Foundation Inc

EIN
30-0517812
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$1,050,600
Grants made (2024)
82
Average grant
$12,812
Median grant
$10,000
Total assets
$5,597,158
Primary geography
Connecticut (38% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026.

Who MLE Foundation Inc funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for MLE Foundation Inc's 82 itemized 2024 grants were Connecticut (38%), Wisconsin (17%) and Massachusetts (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were New Canaan, CT (12 grants), Racine, WI (5 grants), New York, NY (4 grants) and Wisconsin Rapids, WI (3 grants). 98% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$5.6M

+3.9% YoY

Annual Giving

$1.1M

-35.1% YoY

Grant Count

82

-16.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$13K

-22.4% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, MLE Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation does not provide a publicly stated mission statement. However, its grantmaking priorities focus on:

  • Education
  • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
  • Human Services
  • Science and STEM Education

Grantmaking

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with MLE Foundation Inc?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily funds organizations in:

  • Connecticut
  • Wisconsin
  • Massachusetts

Grant Distribution by State

17states

Share of all 82 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

Cities

New CanaanNew YorkNew HavenWisconsin RapidsStamfordLancasterNorwalkMadisonRacineWashingtonCambridgeChautauquaArlingtonBostonHonoluluAshlandBarabooBronxDarienFairfield

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of December 2024:

  • Total assets: $5,597,158
  • Total revenues: $1,296,360
  • Total expenses: $1,086,102
  • Investment income and dividends: $342,707
  • Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $953,653

Contact Information:

  • Telephone: 203-966-4049
  • Address: PO Box 147, New Canaan, CT 06840
  • EIN: 30-0517812
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$695K$1M$2M$3M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$5,597,158$5,386,951$6,614,561
Revenue$1,296,360$439,995$278,911
Expenses$1,086,102$1,664,907$1,020,003
Qualifying Distributions$1,061,131$1,641,774$973,783
Net Investment Income$1,277,389$394,110$302,977
Distributable Amount$1,175,151$981,588$999,488

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$405K$809K$1M$2M67 grants202063 grants202166 grants202298 grants202382 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

First Presbyterian Churc…$55KAmerican Indian College$50KAmerican Indian Educatio…$50KHawaiian Mission House$40KSave the Sound$40KConnecticut Audubon Soci…$40KMaine Organic Farmers an…$40KAmerican Bird Conservancy$35KAudubon Connecticut$35KCentral Wisconsin Cultur…$30K

Grant Size Distribution

376 grants across all recorded years

355<$50K17$50–100K3$100–250K1$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan ($55,000), American Indian College ($50,000), American Indian Education Fund ($50,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan NEW CANAAN, CTGENERAL PURPOSE$55,000
American Indian College Denver, COGENERAL PURPOSE$50,000
American Indian Education Fund Addison, TXGENERAL PURPOSE$50,000
Hawaiian Mission House Honolulu, HIGENERAL PURPOSE$40,000
Save the Sound NEW HAVEN, CTGENERAL PURPOSE$40,000
Connecticut Audubon Society Fairfield, CTGENERAL PURPOSE$40,000
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardners Association Unity, MEGENERAL PURPOSE$40,000
American Bird Conservancy THE PLAINS, VAGENERAL PURPOSE$35,000
Audubon Connecticut Greenwich, CTGENERAL PURPOSE$35,000
Central Wisconsin Cultural Center Wisconsin Rapids, WIGENERAL PURPOSE$30,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

  • Emily B Nissley (Trustee, listed as contact)
  • Thomas W Nissley (Trustee)
  • Marie Creaturo (Trustee)

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
EMILY B NISSLEYDIRECTOR1—
MARIE CREATURODIRECTOR1—
ISABEL MCKAYDIRECTOR1—
ROBERT B MCKAYDIRECTOR1—
RUTH MCKAYDIRECTOR1—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does MLE Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation does not provide a publicly stated mission statement. However, its grantmaking priorities focus on: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Science and STEM Education

How do I apply for a grant from MLE Foundation Inc?

**Grant Activity:** • Total annual giving: $1,050,600 (2024) • Typical award range: $200,000–$350,000 • Number of grants: 67 grants made in 2024 **Recent Grants (2024):** • American Indian College Fund: $50,000 • Hawaiian Mission Houses: $40,000 • Save the Sound: $40,000 • Central Wisconsin Cultural Center (among grantees)

Where does MLE Foundation Inc make grants?

The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Connecticut • Wisconsin • Massachusetts

What size grants does MLE Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, MLE Foundation Inc awarded 82 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $13K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is MLE Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, MLE Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is MLE Foundation Inc's EIN?

MLE Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-0517812. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in MLE Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

More Funders in Connecticut

Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching MLE Foundation Inc by hand.