New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc
New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc. is a public charity based in Stonington, Connecticut. Founded in 2004, it provides ocean-based experiential education for students, schools, teachers, and families, using marine science, sailing, boating, and other hands-on experiences to support learning and personal development.
New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc gave $557K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $51K), mostly in Connecticut. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $557,329
- -16.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- -15.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $50,666
- -0.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $18,689
- Total assets
- $5,466,813
- -2.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (91% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 733, Stonington, CT 06378
Phone: (860) 535-9362
Website: https://nessf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc
Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation STEM Education Grant
New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc
Amount
$2,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
NOAA B-WET (Bay Watershed Education and Training) Program - New England Region
New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Wireless Zone Foundation for Giving Grant
New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was New London Public Schools ($218K). Together the top 8 received $499K.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($58,505), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
48 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 31 grants of 48 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Stonington, Connecticut. In filing year 2025, 91% of its grant dollars went to recipients in Connecticut; 3% each went to recipients in Rhode Island, New York, and Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
How New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc gives
- Giving fell 25% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $157K (2020) to $742K (2022). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $557K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New London Public Schools New London, CT | Tuition Discount | $217,712 |
| The Friendship School Waterford, CT | Tuition Discount | $134,667 |
| Groton Public Schools Mystic, CT | Tuition Discount | $47,374 |
| Natchaug Hospital School System Mansfield Center, CT | Tuition Discount | $31,913 |
| 3 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $58,505 |
| Vesta Corporation Norwich, CT | Tuition Discount | $18,689 |
| New London Drop-in Learning Center New London, CT | Tuition Discount | $17,949 |
| Our Lady Queen of Angels New York, NY | Tuition Discount | $15,320 |
| Norwich Public Schools Norwich, CT | Tuition Discount | $15,200 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,466,813 | $3,659,158 | $3,816,862 | $557,329 | 11 | $12,378 |
| 2024 | $5,629,315 | $4,106,993 | $4,108,030 | $664,800 | 13 | $3,286 |
| 2023 | $5,371,275 | $3,562,102 | $3,904,829 | $669,042 | 10 | $4,022 |
| 2022 | $5,888,909 | $4,082,474 | $3,954,282 | $741,725 | 8 | $-6,766 |
| 2021 | $5,613,617 | $3,618,390 | $2,913,629 | $388,073 | 6 | $32,045 |
| 2020 | $4,886,018 | $2,698,770 | $2,966,920 | $157,023 | 4 | $9,682 |
| 2019 | $5,196,542 | $3,309,950 | $3,420,010 | $575,068 | 4 | $3,595 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that its mission is to empower students with a love of learning through ocean-based experiential programs serving schools, teachers, and families. Its filing describes standards-based K–12 programming that uses marine science and boating to create learning opportunities and build social-emotional skills. The organization says its programs include classroom experiences and field trips to its campus and other sites with water access.
The foundation also provides scholarships to participants in its instructional programs. Its website says scholarships are intended to help make programs accessible to participants who demonstrate financial need; school eligibility is based on the share of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches.
Its 2025 grants included tuition discounts for schools and other organizations. Among the grantees described in their own statements, Natchaug Hospital Inc. says it provides community-based services for people living with psychiatric illness, chemical dependency, or emotional and related educational disabilities. The Center A Drop-in Community says it supports children’s academic and social development and family engagement through before-care, aftercare, and summer enrichment. Boys & Girls Clubs of America describes a national network of local clubs serving children and teens through safe spaces, mentors, meals, and programs supporting academic success and leadership.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 11 grants totaling $557,329. Grant amounts ranged from $15,200 to $217,712, with a median of $18,689. The listed grants were designated for tuition discounts.
The largest awards were $217,712 to New London Public Schools, $134,667 to The Friendship School, and $47,374 to Groton Public Schools. Other listed recipients included Natchaug Hospital School System ($31,913), an individual recipient Magnet School ($25,000), Vesta Corporation ($18,689), an individual recipient Middle School ($18,255), New London Drop-In Learning Center ($17,949), Our Lady Queen of Angels ($15,320), an individual recipient in Georgia ($15,250), and Norwich Public Schools ($15,200).
The foundation’s filing describes scholarships as payments to participants in its own instructional programs. Participants provide information for an eligibility determination, and scholarship awards are reviewed with the board of directors. This is a participant scholarship process, not an application process for outside grantseekers.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists these directors: Katherine Ballard, Allegra Griffiths, Michael Hennessy, Michael Savage, Peter Wild, Bill Follett, Cal Buxton, Dr. Steven Adamowski, Helen Ann Garten, and Carter Gowrie.
New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc is led by Michael Lobdell, President since 2024 (on filings since 2019); none of the 17 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michael Lobdell
President
Chair-Elect → Board Chair, 2023
Board Chair → President, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$20K (2019) → $0 (2025)
Mark Adams
Board Chair
Director → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Allegra Griffiths
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bill Follett
Director
Chairman → Director, 2020
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jane Leipold
Director
Chairman → Board Chair, 2022
Board Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katherine Ballard
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Hennessy
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Savage
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Wild
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cal Buxton
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Gineo
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carter Gowrie
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Helen Ann Garten
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven Adamowski
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Larcen
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Costello
Treasurer
Treasurer → Director, 2023
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Hazard
Vice Chair
Treasurer → Vice Chair & S, 2020
Vice Chair & S → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Eric Isselhardt (2020–2024) — CEO
- Former: Brad Agle (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Yvette Ramos (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Meg Spenlinhauer (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Caitlyn Slivinski (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Kenneth Creary (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Lauren States (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Barbara Scott (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Erica Watson (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Cinda Scott (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kirby Williams (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: David Whitehead (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Lisa Tepper Bates (2019) — Director
- Former: Margaret Blake (2019) — Director
- Former: Richard Farmer (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $147K, to Dr Eric Isselhardt (CEO).
Frequently asked questions about New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc
How much does New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc give each year?
New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc gave $557K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $665K across 13 grants.
What is New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $18,689, and its average grant was $50,666, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc give grants?
New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc gives mostly in Connecticut: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New London, CT (2 grants) and Norwich, CT (2 grants).
Does New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Tuition Discount" (11 grants).
Who are New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include New London Public Schools ($217,712), The Friendship School ($134,667) and Groton Public Schools ($47,374), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($58,505), which are not listed by name. Together they received 72% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc?
New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc reported $5.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.7M.
What does New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation states that its mission is to empower students with a love of learning through ocean-based experiential programs serving schools, teachers, and families. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc?
New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check nessf.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc's EIN?
New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-0245251. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 8, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 2, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 7, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 22, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 18, 2023)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 11, 2026)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). New England Science & Sailing Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/new-england-science-and-sailing-foundation-inc-morg_dced06ac486648dcaf9a620a91fef4f1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_300245251_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{New England Science \& Sailing Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/new-england-science-and-sailing-foundation-inc-morg_dced06ac486648dcaf9a620a91fef4f1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 New England Science & Sailing 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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