Newalliance Foundation Inc

In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 156 grants totaling $1,147,075. Grants ranged from $50 to $25,000, with a median of $5,000. Notable awards included $25,000 to New Haven Reads for its literacy programs and community book bank; $25,000 to United We Dream Network for Connecticut immigrant support; and $25,000 to the Village Improvement Association of West Haven for construction of a branch library. Other awards of $20,000 supported Boundless Literacy, LEAP, Music Haven, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Project Access of New Haven, and an individual recipient de Porres Academy.

The Foundation’s website says it considers general operating support, program support, limited event sponsorships, and capital requests. General operating requests must address a funding priority, serve people within the service area, respond effectively to community needs, and demonstrate financial stability and strong leadership. Program requests should support effective, innovative work that does not duplicate other services. Capital requests may include construction, equipment, and facility improvements.

The website’s applicant guidelines say applicants generally must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving residents in one or more of the communities it serves; state agencies, quasi-state agencies, municipalities, municipal departments, state departments, and commissions are ineligible under those guidelines. It limits organizations to one application per calendar year, for one request type. The Foundation says it will consider up to 10% of an organization’s annual operating budget or $25,000, and up to 40% of a program or project budget; the 10% guideline also applies to program and project requests. Additional service-area conditions apply to national or statewide organizations and programs based outside the service area. Past grantees must submit a final report before a new proposal will be considered.

To apply, eligible applicants submit an electronic application with narrative responses, the relevant operating or project budget, a board list with professional affiliations and length of service, an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, and the top page of the organization’s most recently filed Form 990. The website says the board meets in March and September to determine awards. The filing directs applicants to the Foundation’s website for eligibility requirements, guidelines, priorities, forms, and deadlines. The Foundation’s 2025 filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.

The Foundation’s filing describes Ready for the Grade, a partnership with public libraries intended to reduce summer reading loss among low-income children in grades K–3. In 2025, six libraries at eight sites served 126 students; all but one maintained or improved their reading levels over the summer. The filing also describes twice-yearly library staff convenings and evaluation of the program.