The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney
The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation dba Big Win Philanthropy was a private foundation based in West Hartford, Connecticut. Its 2022 filing was marked final, and it transferred its remaining assets to Big Win Philanthropy, Inc., a successor organization, effective September 30, 2022; the foundation therefore appears to have wound down.
Key facts about The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney
In short: The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney gave $145.3M across 29 grants in 2022 (avg $5.0M), mostly in Connecticut. 46% of 2022 grantees were new. Source: 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 04-3632641
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2022
- Annual giving (2022)
- $145,313,418
- Grants made (2022)
- 29
- Average grant
- $5,010,808
- Median grant
- $50,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 46% first-time grantees (13 of 28, 2022)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (96% of itemized 2022 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2022; updated October 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 2022 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$145.3M
+2881.5% YoY
Grant Count
29
-9.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5.0M
+3189.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney reported a distributable amount of $6.3M for 2022 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney open to new grantees?
46%
first-time grantees, 2022
In 2022, 13 of 28 grantees (46%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11M; repeat grants $247K. How we count
Medians: $60K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 50% of 2022 grantees were also funded in 2021. Method
- In 2022 it paid out 135% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2018–2022). 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
Big Win Philanthropy’s stated approach is to partner with public-sector leaders on country-led agendas to improve people’s lives, with an emphasis on young people and economic development. Its website describes initiatives in primary education, nutrition, early childhood development, job creation, digital literacy, and leadership development.
The 2022 filing records grants for work including Ethiopia’s Seqota Declaration, Ghanaian curriculum reform, early childhood development in Addis Ababa, digital literacy in Rwanda, youth employment, and the Amujae Initiative. Among the organizations it supported, Last Mile Health describes its mission as bringing professionalized community health workers to remote communities; Results for Development Institute says it works with change agents to create self-sustaining systems that support healthy, educated people. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2022, the foundation reported 29 grants totaling $145,313,418. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $139,056,700, with a median of $50,000. The largest grant, $139,056,700, transferred the foundation’s remaining assets to Big Win Philanthropy, Inc. under a grant agreement. Other notable grants included $2,500,000 to Harvard College for its Ministerial Leadership Program; $999,746 to the Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Health for the Seqota Declaration; and $790,000 to Ghana’s Ministry of Education for curriculum reform.
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. This information describes the foundation’s stated policy; its 2022 return was final.
Ready to take the next step with The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Big Win Philanthropy describes its work as partnering with leaders across Africa. Its website lists initiatives in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, as well as Africa-wide initiatives. In the foundation’s 2022 grant filing, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Connecticut, 2% to Massachusetts, and 2% to recipients whose state is unspecified.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2022 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2018 to 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $4.9M (2021) to $145.3M (2022). In 2022 it made 29 grants totaling $145.3M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2022
The largest 2022 recipient was Big Win Philanthropy Inc ($139.1M). Together the top 10 received $144.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
117 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 59 grants of 117 (50%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Big Win Philanthropy Inc Greens Farms, CT | A grant agreement was signed by the filing organization (grantor) and big win philanthropy, inc. (grantee; ein: 82-0843080) to transfer all remaining assets to the successor organization effective september 30, 2022. Grantee's governing board is identical to the trustees of grantor, so that grantee is "effectively controlled" by the same persons who control grantor within the meaning of treasury regulations section 1.507-3. | $139,056,700 |
| Harvard College Boston, MA | To Support the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program | $2,500,000 |
| Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Health | Seqota Declaration | $999,746 |
| Ministry of Education Ghana | Ministry of Education Curriculum Reform | $790,000 |
| Addis Ababa City Administration | Future hope of addis ababa early childhood development (ECD) | $403,896 |
| Digital Skills Foundation | Strengthening ongoing efforts on human capital development through digital literacy in rwanda | $400,000 |
| Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Health | Essential Health Services in IDP Sites | $359,725 |
| Lalibela Group New Orleans, LA | To develop a monitoring framework for early childhood development in addis ababa. | $150,000 |
| Oromia Regional Government Orgo | Operational Cost for Youth Employment Work | $90,000 |
| Amnrs Head of Government Office | Operational Cost for Youth Employment Work | $75,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | $2,175,058 | $148,389,116 | $145,313,418 | 29 |
| 2021 | $147,469,388 | $4,068,315 | $8,286,469 | $4,873,846 | 32 |
| 2020 | $150,413,438 | $2,797,303 | $9,223,289 | $5,293,503 | 36 |
The 2022 filing reported the transfer of the foundation’s remaining assets to its successor organization.
| Metric | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $147,469,388 | $150,413,438 |
| Revenue | $2,175,058 | $4,068,315 | $2,797,303 |
| Expenses | $148,389,116 | $8,286,469 | $9,223,289 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $8,513,834 | $7,565,819 | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,400,344 | $3,362,703 | $2,135,223 |
| Distributable Amount | $6,313,287 | $9,013,279 | $8,193,563 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2018 (received by the IRS November 15, 2019)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2022
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s 2022 filing listed Jamie Cooper as president and chair, and Dr. Kesete Admasu as CEO. Trustees listed were Mark Dybul, Suprotik Basu, Malik Dechambenoit, Bill Haney, Nikos Makris, Dzingai Mutumbuka, and Luisa Diogo. Christopher Klatell was listed as COO and general counsel.
The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney is led by Kesete Admasu, CEO on every filing since 2020; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2022 is compensated.
Officers on the 2022 filing
Kesete Admasu
CEO
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Cooper
President & Chair
On filings since 2018
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bill Haney
Trustee
On filings since 2018
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Luisa Diogo
Trustee
On filings since 2018
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Malik Dechambenoit
Trustee
On filings since 2018
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Dybul
Trustee
On filings since 2018
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nikos Makris
Trustee
On filings since 2018
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Suprotik Basu
Trustee
On filings since 2018
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Harrison
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aloysius Ordu
Trustee
New on the 2022 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dzingai Mutumbuka Leave Of Absence
Trustee
New on the 2022 filing
No compensation reported
Rosine Sori-Coulibaly
Trustee
New on the 2022 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Klatell
COO & General Counsel
On filings since 2018
24 hrs/week
$150K (2018) → $167K (2022)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Dzingai Mutumbuka (2018–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Muhammad Pate (2018) — CEO
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2018–2022. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $167K, to Christopher Klatell (COO and General Counsel).
Contact
Mailing address: Blue Back Sq75 Isham Rd 300, West Hartford, CT 06107-2237
Phone: (202) 827-6374
Website: https://www.bigwin.org
Frequently asked questions about The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney
How much does The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney give each year?
The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney gave $145.3M across 29 grants in 2022, according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2021 it gave $4.9M across 32 grants.
What is The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney's typical grant size?
The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney's median grant in 2022 was $50,000, and its average grant was $5,010,808, across 29 grants on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney that year got $11M on average.
Where does The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney give grants?
The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney gives mostly in Connecticut: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (8 grants), Boston, MA (4 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney give general operating support?
Yes: 41% of The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney's 2022 grants with a stated purpose (12 of 29) were for general or operating support, per its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney's largest grantees?
The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney's largest 2022 grantees include Big Win Philanthropy Inc ($139,056,700), Harvard College ($2,500,000) and Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Health ($1,359,471 across 2 grants), according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 98% of its itemized 2022 grant dollars.
What does The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney fund?
Big Win Philanthropy’s stated approach is to partner with public-sector leaders on country-led agendas to improve people’s lives, with an emphasis on young people and economic development. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney?
The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check bigwin.org for any change to that policy.
How much is The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2022, The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney reported a distributable amount of $6.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney's EIN?
The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3632641. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2018–2022.
Does The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Connecticut
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Conrad N Hilton Foundation
Westlake Village, CA
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation funds nonprofits working to improve lives and alleviate poverty, with initiatives including early childhood development, homelessness, refugees, safe water, and support for foster and opportunity youth. Its work is global, and its 2024 grants had a median award of $76,000. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, except through its Good Neighbor Program for eligible local nonprofits and Title 1 schools.
Assets
$7.4B
Grants
1,339
Total Given
$287.7M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Americares Foundation Inc
Stamford, CT
Americares funds health care organizations and programs focused on disaster preparedness and recovery, access to medicines and medical supplies, and community health services. In 2025, its grants ranged from $5,073 to $3.86 million, with a median of about $58,700; it works in the United States and internationally, reaching an average of 80 countries each year. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$372.5M
Grants
635
Total Given
$113.3M
American Savings Foundation Inc
New Britain, CT
The foundation funds education, human services, and arts and culture, especially programs serving children, youth, and families, with a primary focus on New Britain and Waterbury and grants across 64 Connecticut towns. In 2025, its grants ranged from $238 to $150,000, with a median of $1,750; it also offers Community Grants of up to $5,000.
Assets
$107.0M
Grants
613
Total Given
$3.4M
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
Hartford, CT
The Greater Hartford Gives Foundation funds nonprofits, agencies, and scholarships, with priorities including equity, social and economic mobility, community wellbeing, civic engagement, and arts and culture. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of about $21,600, with awards ranging from about $5,000 to $2.48 million, and it primarily serves 29 towns in Greater Hartford. It offers annual, priority-aligned grant opportunities; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
613
Total Given
$52.0M
Eversource Energy Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
The Eversource Energy Foundation funds U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on basic needs, education, environmental stewardship, community engagement, and economic or workforce development. It gives in Eversource’s service territory in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire; its 2024 median grant was $2,000, though awards ranged from $250 to $700,000.
Assets
$12.5M
Grants
606
Total Given
$6.2M
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
New Haven, CT
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven supports nonprofits working in civic vitality, arts and culture, health, and education across its 20-town Greater New Haven service area. Its 2024 grants had a median of $15,000, though amounts varied widely; it offers competitive, online application-based programs, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$627.4M
Grants
505
Total Given
$23.4M
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc
Norwalk, CT
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation funds local nonprofits addressing education and careers, economic security, health equity, housing, civic engagement, and related community needs in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Awards vary widely: capacity-building grants are up to $10,000, Community Impact Grants are $10,000–$15,000, and reported 2025 grants had a median of $24,080. It accepts unsolicited applications for some programs, including rolling capacity-building and small-grant opportunities; Strategic Partner Grants are invitation-only.
Assets
$291.4M
Grants
448
Total Given
$25.7M
Viking Global Foundation Inc
Stamford, CT
Assets
$7.1M
Grants
423
Total Given
$3.6M
Ion Bank Foundation Inc
Naugatuck, CT
Assets
$15.3M
Grants
419
Total Given
$1.0M
More Funders in Connecticut
The Childrens Investment Fund Foundation DBA Big Win Philanthropy C/O Day Pitney down — hundreds of funders to go?