The Connecticut Project Inc
The Connecticut Project is a nonprofit organization based in Ridgefield, Connecticut, dedicated to uniting diverse groups to develop solutions and improve opportunities for those facing economic challenges. The organization brings together communities, ideas, and resources to build opportunity and create systemic change for working-class and lower-income residents across Connecticut.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.1M
-78.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.4M
+80.0% YoY
Grant Count
76
+111.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$136K
-14.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Connecticut Project brings together communities, ideas, and resources to improve systems and generate real-world outcomes for people who are lower-income or asset-limited.
Vision: A just, thriving, and optimistic Connecticut where race, gender, income, geography, and other factors do not restrict opportunities.
The organization's work focuses on:
- Economic opportunity and putting money back in people's pockets through initiatives like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
- Affordable housing and housing equity
- Childcare access and early childhood education
- Voting rights and democratic access
- Building coalitions and movements for systemic change
Grantmaking
The Connecticut Project functions as both a grantmaker and advocacy organization. The organization has made grants focused on:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization's grantmaking focuses primarily on Connecticut, with some activity in the District of Columbia and California.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total Assets: $23.5 million
- Total Revenue: $1.15 million
- Total Expenses: $9.07 million
- Total Liabilities: $732,000
- Total Giving: $10,534,975
As of Fiscal Year 2024 (Action Fund):
- Total Assets: $2,031,803
- Total Revenues: $3,790,025
- Total Expenses: $2,449,358
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,144,897 | $23,524,599 | $30,991,305 |
| Revenue | $784,628 | $1,148,997 | $33,500,265 |
| Expenses | $19,576,412 | $9,065,129 | $3,130,725 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $775,553 | $1,145,576 | $265 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
86 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Local Initiatives Support Corporation ($767,000), All Our Kin ($600,000), Jobs for the Future ($370,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 4-CT NEW HAVEN, CT | CRIMINAL LEGAL REFORM COHORT PARTICIPATION GRANTS | $150,000 |
| A BETTER WAY FOUNDATION NEW HAVEN, CT | RESEARCH SUPPORT TO HUSKY 4 IMMIGRANTS COALITION, INCLUDING RAND MEDICAID POLICY REPORT | $88,000 |
| A BETTER WAY FOUNDATION NEW HAVEN, CT | CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT TO HUSKY 4 IMMIGRANTS COALITION | $200,000 |
| A BETTER WAY FOUNDATION NEW HAVEN, CT | GRANT TO SUPPORT NONPROFIT ORGANIZING CAPACITY BUILDING | $250,000 |
| A BETTER WAY FOUNDATION NEW HAVEN, CT | CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT TO CONNECTICUT TENANTS UNION | $325,000 |
| A BETTER WAY FOUNDATION - HUSKY FOR IMMIGRANTS NEW HAVEN, CT | IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY STATEWIDE STEERING COMMITTEE PLANNING AND COORDINATION GRANT | $50,000 |
| ALL OUR KIN NEW HAVEN, CT | EXPANSION OF DIRECT SERVICE SUPPORT TO FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS | $600,000 |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION OF CONNECTICUT HARTFORD, CT | CRIMINAL LEGAL REFORM COHORT PARTICIPATION GRANTS | $150,000 |
| BUILDING ONE COMMUNITY STAMFORD, CT | GRANT FOR PARTICIPATING IN RAPID-CT STATEWIDE SURVEY | $15,000 |
| BULIDING ONE COMMUNITY STAMFORD, CT | IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY STATEWIDE STEERING COMMITTEE PLANNING AND COORDINATION GRANT | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Garth Harries — President and Chief Executive Officer
Adriana Arreola Joseph — Chief Administrative Officer
Melvin Medina — Vice President of Advocacy and External Affairs
Mirellise Vazquez — Vice President of Investment
Sana Shah — Director of Policy and Advocacy
William Kyeremateng — Principal Economist
Additional staff members include directors and specialists in engagement, data and learning, marketing and communications, policy and advocacy, and field organizing.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KERWIN CHARLES | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| BRITT-MARIE COLE JOHNSON | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| KICA MATOS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| STEVEN MANDEL | BOARD CHAIR | 1 | — |
| SUE MANDEL | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TIFFANY DONELSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DAVID LEHMAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| GARTH HARRIES | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 40 | $300,385 |
| ADRIANA A JOSEPH | CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFIC | 40 | $195,041 |
| MIRELLISE M VAZQUEZ | VICE PRESIDENT OF INVESTME | 40 | $234,846 |
| MELVIN MEDINA | VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVOCACY | 40 | $210,349 |
| COURTNEY PARKERSON | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 40 | $176,462 |
| NORDIA SAVAGE | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 40 | $167,539 |
| JONATHAN CABRAL | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 40 | $170,708 |
| ELLEN FUGATE | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 40 | $139,269 |
| MEGHAN HOLDEN | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 40 | $152,500 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Connecticut Project Inc fund?
**Mission:** The Connecticut Project brings together communities, ideas, and resources to improve systems and generate real-world outcomes for people who are lower-income or asset-limited. **Vision:** A just, thriving, and optimistic Connecticut where race, gender, income, geography, and other factors do not restrict opportunities. The organization's work focuses on: • Economic opportunity and putting money back in people's pockets through initiatives like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) • …
How do I apply for a grant from The Connecticut Project Inc?
The Connecticut Project functions as both a grantmaker and advocacy organization. The organization has made grants focused on: • Education • Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking • Human services Typical grant awards range from $6,425 to $767,000. The organization has invested in voting rights, equitable access to early childhood education, and housing policy initiatives. The Connecticut Project Action Fund, a related 501(c)(4) organization, received $300,000 in funding support from The Co…
Where does The Connecticut Project Inc make grants?
The organization's grantmaking focuses primarily on Connecticut, with some activity in the District of Columbia and California.
What size grants does The Connecticut Project Inc award?
In 2024, The Connecticut Project Inc awarded 76 grants totaling $10.4M — an average of about $136K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Connecticut Project Inc's EIN?
The Connecticut Project Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-2622825. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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