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.
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.
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
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Connecticut
- Wisconsin
- Massachusetts
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
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
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
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 First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan ($55,000), American Indian College ($50,000), Hawaiian Mission House ($40,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABC House of New Canaan New Canaan, CT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| American Bird Conservancy THE PLAINS, VA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $35,000 |
| American Indian College Denver, CO | GENERAL PURPOSE | $50,000 |
| Audubon Connecticut Greenwich, CT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $35,000 |
| Ballet Hispanico New York, NY | GENERAL PURPOSE | $5,000 |
| Carbone Cancer Center Madison, WI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $15,000 |
| Central Wisconsin Cultural Center Wisconsin Rapids, WI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $30,000 |
| Connecticut League of Conservation Voters HARTFORD, CT | VOTERS EDUCATION FUND | $11,000 |
| Cornell University ITHACA, NY | ANNUAL FUND FOR THE LAB OF ORNITHOLOGY | $15,000 |
| Environmental Defense Fund Washington, DC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $11,000 |
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
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMILY B NISSLEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARIE CREATURO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ISABEL MCKAY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROBERT B MCKAY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RUTH MCKAY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
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
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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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