The Common Sense Fund Inc
The Common Sense Fund Inc is a private foundation based in Greenwich, Connecticut. It supports practical, creative action in the environment and the arts that addresses social needs, including environmental education and policy initiatives, carbon-free energy, natural-resource stewardship, and arts programs for under-resourced communities.
The Common Sense Fund Inc at a glance
In short: The Common Sense Fund Inc gave $3.8M across 39 grants in 2024 (avg $97K), mostly in New York. 8% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,790,000
- +27.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 39
- -2.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $97,179
- +30.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $75,000
- Total assets
- $22,819,304
- -3.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (3 of 39, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (53% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Common Sense Fund Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
Applications are by invitation only. The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its guidelines do not specify application materials.
- Contact
Mailing address: 10 Glenville Street Suite 2, Greenwich, CT 06831
Phone: (203) 531-7480
Website: https://commonsensefund.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Common Sense Fund Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was PEF Israel Endowment Fund ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $2.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
199 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 114 grants of 199 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 53% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 25% to Connecticut, 6% to California, 4% to Massachusetts, and 3% to Colorado. The largest grant was for charitable distribution in Israel.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 39 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Common Sense Fund Inc open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 39 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $72K; repeat grants $99K. How we count
Medians: $62K first-time, $75K repeat.
- 92% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 58% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 291% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.4M (2021) to $3.8M (2024). In 2024 it made 39 grants totaling $3.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| PEF Israel Endowment Fund New York, NY | To enable the organization's direct distribution of funds to selected and approved charitable organizations in israel. | $1,018,000 |
| Schwab Charitable Fund San Francisco, CA | Contribution to a Donor-Advised Fund Account. | $150,000 |
| Acadia Center Hartford, CT | To support the organization's committment to build clean, low carbon and consumer friendly economies. Characterized by reliable information, comprehensive advocacy and problem solving through innovation and collaboration. | $100,000 |
| Inside Climate News Brooklyn, NY | To support the organization's mission to produce clear, objective stories that give the public and decision-makers the information they need to navigate the heat and emotion of climate and energy debates. | $100,000 |
| Natural Capitalism Solutions Longmont, CO | To support the organization's mission to build an economy in service to life through education, innovative solutions and youth empowerment. Help companies, communities and countries implement more regenerative practices profitably. | $100,000 |
| Peoples Action for Clean Energy West Simsbury, CT | To support the organization's mission to work throughout Connecticut to promote the development of alternative, renewable sources of energy and encourage others to join in on the conversation | $100,000 |
| Save the Sound New Haven, CT | To support the organizations mission to fight climate change, save endangered lands, protect the sound and its rivers, and work with nature to restore ecosystems. | $100,000 |
| Sustainable CT Inc Willimantic, CT | To support the organization's mission to provide municipalities with a menu of coordinated, voluntary actions, to continually become more sustainable; to provide resources and tools to assist municipalities in implementing sustainability actions and advancing their programs for the benefit of all residents; and to certify and recognize municipalities for their ongoing sustainability achievements. | $100,000 |
| The Heschel Center for Sustainability | To support the work of the heschel center sustainability in israel in their work to build and strengthen the rapidly growing sustainaility movement in israel. | $100,000 |
| Stuttering Association for the Young New York, NY | To support stutterin association for the young's mission to build a community of acceptance where young people who stutter gain confidence and communication skills through summer camp, speech therapy, and creative expression. | $95,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Common Sense Fund Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $22,819,304 | $3,371,191 | $4,151,351 | $3,790,000 | 39 | $3,999,058 | $2,651,056 | $1,376,271 |
| 2023 | $23,599,464 | $2,122,032 | $3,419,070 | $2,975,200 | 40 | $3,200,469 | $1,436,541 | $1,377,407 |
| 2022 | $24,896,502 | $1,175,366 | $3,230,399 | $2,812,500 | 41 | $2,917,419 | $611,276 | $1,400,228 |
| 2021 | $26,951,535 | $2,264,426 | $2,791,374 | $2,400,500 | 39 | $2,507,332 | $2,070,103 | $1,562,831 |
| 2020 | $27,478,483 | $3,940,975 | $2,778,461 | $2,462,000 | 40 | — | $3,789,498 | $1,411,285 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Common Sense Fund Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated environmental approach includes education, policy initiatives, promotion of carbon-free energy sources, and stewardship of natural resources. It says ending dependence on fossil fuels is necessary to reduce the impacts of climate change. Its arts funding supports programs for under-resourced communities, reflecting a commitment to children’s potential.
Its supported organizations include both arts and climate-focused grantees. For example, Hartford Performs says it integrates arts and cultural experiences into teaching and learning in partnership with schools and arts communities. Making Books Sing says it promotes children’s literacy and social development through theater and arts education. On the environmental side, Save the Sound describes its work as protecting and improving the Long Island Sound region, while People’s Action for Clean Energy says it educates and advocates for clean energy in Connecticut.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 39 grants totaling $3,790,000. Grants ranged from $25,000 to $1,018,000, with a median of $75,000. Its website says arts grants are generally $30,000–$75,000 and environmental grants are generally $30,000–$100,000. It is particularly interested in program models that can be replicated, may fund a portion of program-related operational expenses, and identifies organizational sustainability as a high priority.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $1,018,000 to PEF Israel Endowment Fund for distribution to selected and approved charitable organizations in Israel, and $150,000 to Schwab Charitable Fund for a donor-advised fund account. The foundation also gave $100,000 each to Acadia Center, Inside Climate News, Natural Capitalism Solutions, People’s Action for Clean Energy, Save the Sound, Sustainable CT, and the Heschel Center for Sustainability. Hartford Performs received $90,000, and Making Books Sing received $80,000.
The foundation says it generally favors grassroots efforts over national campaigns, can make planning grants when needed, and considers site visits an important part of grantmaking.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists:
- Adlyn S. Loewenthal — President
- Eric Schwartz — VP/Treasurer
- Ted Loewenthal — Secretary
- David Schwartz — Trustee
- Carolyn Schwartz — Trustee
- Debra Fram — Trustee
The Common Sense Fund Inc is led by Adlyn S. Loewenthal, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Adlyn S. Loewenthal
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn Schwartz
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Schwartz
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Debra Fram
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Schwartz
Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ted Loewenthal
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Common Sense Fund Inc
How much does The Common Sense Fund Inc give each year?
The Common Sense Fund Inc gave $3.8M across 39 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.0M across 40 grants.
What is The Common Sense Fund Inc's typical grant size?
The Common Sense Fund Inc's median grant in 2024 was $75,000, and its average grant was $97,179, across 39 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Common Sense Fund Inc that year got $72K on average.
Where does The Common Sense Fund Inc give grants?
The Common Sense Fund Inc gives mostly in New York: 53% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Connecticut (25%) and California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (10 grants), Hartford, CT (7 grants), Brooklyn, NY (3 grants) and New Haven, CT (2 grants).
Does The Common Sense Fund Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of The Common Sense Fund Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 39) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Common Sense Fund Inc's largest grantees?
The Common Sense Fund Inc's largest 2024 grantees include PEF Israel Endowment Fund ($1,018,000), Schwab Charitable Fund ($150,000) and Acadia Center ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Common Sense Fund Inc?
The Common Sense Fund Inc reported $22.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Common Sense Fund Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated environmental approach includes education, policy initiatives, promotion of carbon-free energy sources, and stewardship of natural resources. It says ending dependence on fossil fuels is necessary to reduce the impacts of climate change. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Common Sense Fund Inc?
Applications are by invitation only. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Common Sense Fund Inc's EIN?
The Common Sense Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3157570. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Common Sense Fund Inc 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Common Sense Fund Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-common-sense-fund-inc-morg_4e2e777986f849e3b9f4e368ebeee23f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_133157570_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Common Sense Fund Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-common-sense-fund-inc-morg_4e2e777986f849e3b9f4e368ebeee23f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 The Common Sense Fund 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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