Robert C Vance Char Fdn
ROBERT C VANCE CHAR FDN is a private foundation based in Dallas, Texas. Its 2025 filing reports 11 grants totaling $945,740, all to recipients in Connecticut.
Key facts about Robert C Vance Char Fdn
In short: Robert C Vance Char Fdn gave $946K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $86K), mostly in Connecticut. 27% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 06-6050188
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $945,740
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- Average grant
- $85,976
- Median grant
- $17,690
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (3 of 11, 2025)
- Total assets
- $2,647,387
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The 2024 filing lists Herbert E Carlson as the contact and says application materials must conform to the United Community Service format. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- None.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.6M
+15.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$946K
-8.8% YoY
Grant Count
11
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$86K
-8.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert C Vance Char Fdn reported a distributable amount of $897K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Robert C Vance Char Fdn open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 11 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $88K; repeat grants $85K. How we count
Medians: $48K first-time, $9K repeat.
- 73% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 30% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 107% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants supported organizations in the arts, music, human services, and community sectors. For example, the New Britain Museum of American Art says it provides public enrichment and inspiration through American art, while the New Britain Institute says it promotes literacy, science, and culture in New Britain through its library and museums. Connecticut Choral Artists describes its work as presenting choral music through programs intended to challenge, excite, educate, and inspire audiences.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 11 grants totaling $945,740. Grants ranged from $3,500 to $500,000, with a median of $17,690. The largest awards were $500,000 to the New Britain Museum of American Art for unrestricted general support, $199,000 to Trinity on Main for building repairs, and $125,000 to United Way of Central & Northeastern Connecticut for unrestricted general support. Other grants included $48,300 to the Prudence Crandall Center and $25,000 to the Salvation Army of New Britain, both for unrestricted general support.
Review Cycle
** None.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All reported 2025 grant dollars went to Connecticut recipients. The foundation’s 2024 filing states that awards are restricted to organizations serving the New Britain, Connecticut area.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 11 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
58 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NEW BRITAIN MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART New Britain, CT | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL | $500,000 |
| TRINITY ON MAIN New Britain, CT | SUPPORTS BUILDING REPAIRS | $199,000 |
| UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL & NORTHEASTERN CT Hartford, CT | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL | $125,000 |
| THE PRUDENCE CRANDALL CENTER New Britain, CT | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL | $48,300 |
| SALVATION ARMY OF NEW BRITAIN New Britain, CT | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL | $25,000 |
| PASTOR & STANDING COMMITTEE New Britain, CT | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL | $17,690 |
| NEW BRITAIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA New Britain, CT | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL | $10,500 |
| NEW BRITAIN INSTITUTE New Britain, CT | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL | $8,250 |
| PECK MEMORIAL LIBRARY OF BERLIN Berlin, CT | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL | $5,000 |
| THE MUSIC SERIES AT SOUTH CHURCH New Britain, CT | SUPPORT FOR 2022-2023 | $3,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,647,387 | $1,352,527 | $995,996 | $945,740 | 11 |
| 2024 | $2,290,856 | $963,849 | $1,073,793 | $1,036,500 | 11 |
| 2023 | $2,400,632 | $494,345 | $730,111 | $693,000 | 11 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,647,387 | $2,290,856 | $2,400,632 |
| Revenue | $1,352,527 | $963,849 | $494,345 |
| Expenses | $995,996 | $1,073,793 | $730,111 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $961,513 | $1,051,171 | $702,708 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,337,886 | $949,367 | $472,505 |
| Distributable Amount | $897,317 | $757,332 | $740,285 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Herbert E Carlson Jr as director, chairman, and president; Cheryl C Carlson as director and secretary; and Cynthia A Carlson as director and treasurer. Bank of America N.A. is listed as agent for fiduciary.
Robert C Vance Char Fdn is led by Herbert E. Carlson Jr., Director, Chairman & President on every filing since 2021; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Herbert E. Carlson Jr.
Director, Chairman & President
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl C. Carlson
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia A. Carlson
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bank Of America N A
Agent for Fiduciary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$20K (2021) → $22K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
Contact
Application contact: Herbert E Carlson
Mailing address: 21 Winesap Road, Kensington, CT 06037
Phone: (860) 566-3190
Website: https://vanguardcharitable.org
Frequently asked questions about Robert C Vance Char Fdn
How much does Robert C Vance Char Fdn give each year?
Robert C Vance Char Fdn gave $946K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.0M across 11 grants.
What is Robert C Vance Char Fdn's typical grant size?
Robert C Vance Char Fdn's median grant in 2025 was $17,690, and its average grant was $85,976, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert C Vance Char Fdn that year got $88K on average.
Where does Robert C Vance Char Fdn give grants?
Robert C Vance Char Fdn gives mostly in Connecticut: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New Britain, CT (9 grants).
Does Robert C Vance Char Fdn give general operating support?
Yes: 82% of Robert C Vance Char Fdn's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Robert C Vance Char Fdn's largest grantees?
Robert C Vance Char Fdn's largest 2025 grantees include New Britain Museum of American Art ($500,000), Trinity on Main ($199,000) and United Way of Central & Northeastern CT ($125,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 87% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Robert C Vance Char Fdn?
Robert C Vance Char Fdn reported $2.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $962K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $897K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Robert C Vance Char Fdn fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants supported organizations in the arts, music, human services, and community sectors. For example, the New Britain Museum of American Art says it provides public enrichment and inspiration through American art, while the New Britain Institute says it promotes literacy, science, and culture in New Britain through its library and museums. Connecticut Choral Artists describes its work as presenting choral music through programs inte…
How do I apply for a grant from Robert C Vance Char Fdn?
The 2024 filing lists Herbert E Carlson as the contact and says application materials must conform to the United Community Service format. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Robert C Vance Char Fdn's EIN?
Robert C Vance Char Fdn's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-6050188. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Robert C Vance Char Fdn by hand.
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