The Near and Far Association Inc
The Near and Far Association Inc, based in Southport, Connecticut, is a public charity and an all-volunteer fundraising and grantmaking organization. It funds nonprofit agencies working to address poverty in Fairfield County by supporting basic needs and programs seeking lasting change.
The Near and Far Association Inc at a glance
In short: The Near and Far Association Inc gave $1.1M across 87 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), mostly in Connecticut. 39% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,051,500
- +9.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 87
- +6.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,086
- +2.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $1,808,294
- -5.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 39% first-time grantees (34 of 87, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Near and Far Association Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The program information says applications are by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests. It describes an annual application period but does not specify a 2026 cycle.
- Review Cycle
- The program information lists June 15 to July 15 annually; it does not provide 2026 dates.
- Deadline
- The program information lists June 15 to July 15 annually; it does not provide 2026 dates.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 717, Southport, CT 06890
Phone: (203) 259-2727
Website: https://nearandfaraid.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Near and Far Association Inc
Who The Near and Far Association Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Boys & Girls Village Inc ($25K). Together the top 10 received $250K.
Grant Size Distribution
435 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 434 grants of 435 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization states that its mission focuses on poverty in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Its 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Connecticut.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 87 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Near and Far Association Inc open to new grantees?
39%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 34 of 87 grantees (39%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $859K (2022) to $1.1M (2021). In 2025 it made 87 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Village Inc Southport, CT | General Purpose Aid to Families, Children and Education. | $25,000 |
| Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders Inc Southport, CT | General Purpose Aid to Families, Children and Education. | $25,000 |
| Emerge Inc Southport, CT | General Purpose Aid to Families, Children and Education. | $25,000 |
| Horizons at Sacred Heart University Southport, CT | General Purpose Aid to Families, Children and Education. | $25,000 |
| Horizons Bridgeport Southport, CT | General Purpose Aid to Families, Children and Education. | $25,000 |
| Horizons Greens Farms Academy Southport, CT | General Purpose Aid to Families, Children and Education. | $25,000 |
| Liberation Programs Inc Southport, CT | General Purpose Aid to Families, Children and Education. | $25,000 |
| Operation Hope of Fairfield Inc Southport, CT | General Purpose Aid to Families, Children and Education. | $25,000 |
| Person-to-Person Inc Southport, CT | General Purpose Aid to Families, Children and Education. | $25,000 |
| Sterling Community Center Inc Southport, CT | General Purpose Aid to Families, Children and Education. | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Near and Far Association Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,808,294 | $1,114,548 | $1,247,052 | $1,051,500 | 87 | $78,520 |
| 2024 | $1,910,597 | $1,275,929 | $1,144,805 | $963,500 | 82 | $75,853 |
| 2023 | $1,790,965 | $1,319,650 | $1,114,030 | $908,000 | 81 | $40,642 |
| 2022 | $1,559,883 | $1,267,320 | $1,086,890 | $858,500 | 76 | $9,872 |
| 2021 | $1,405,759 | $859,496 | $1,154,175 | $1,088,500 | 109 | $6,450 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to eliminate the causes and effects of poverty in Fairfield County by finding and funding programs that provide life’s basic necessities and seek lasting change. It says it provides monetary assistance to nonprofit agencies whose primary purpose is helping people living in poverty.
Its grants support agencies working across areas such as education, youth development, housing, food and homelessness services, and substance use and mental health services. For example, Horizons Bridgeport describes its mission as developing students’ academic, social, and emotional skills; Liberation Programs describes providing prevention, treatment, outreach, and recovery services; and Operation Hope of Fairfield describes programs focused on hunger, homelessness, and stability. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 87 grants totaling $1,051,500. Grant amounts ranged from $6,500 to $25,000, with a median of $10,000. The filing lists 87 itemized grants. Among the largest were $25,000 each to Boys & Girls Village, Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders, Emerge, Horizons at Sacred Heart University, Horizons Bridgeport, Horizons Greens Farms Academy, Liberation Programs, Operation Hope of Fairfield, Person-to-Person, and Sterling Community Center. The Carver received $22,500, and Malta House received $20,000.
The grant program information describes support for agencies and programs serving impoverished communities in Fairfield County, including emergency services, economic security, and education and support. It says the application process is by invitation only.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Rosalina Thomas, Lauren Kelly-Weiss, Lesley O’Connell, and Lisa Albenze as directors; Georgia Adams as treasurer; Elizabeth Bechtold as recording secretary; Karen Mitchell as development co-chair; Joan Panagos and Jaimie Dockray as grant review co-chairs; and Joanne Mason as co-president.
The Near and Far Association Inc is led by Emily Gordon, Co-President since 2025 (on filings since 2021); none of the 23 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Emily Gordon
Co-President
Recording Secretary → Vice President, 2024
Vice President → Co-President, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joanne Mason
Co-President
Treasurer → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → Co-President, 2024
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katerina Powers
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Meier
Director
Director → Development Co-Chair, 2023
Development Co-Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Albenze
Director
Director → Development Co-Chair, 2022
Development Co-Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Missy Harmon
Director
Co-President → Immediate Past President, 2023
Immediate Past President → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rosalina Thomas
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lesley O'Connell
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lindsay Muldoon
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Samira Cwanek
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Matthews
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elora Sweedler
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jaclyn Picarillo
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Kelly-Weiss
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Georgia Adams
Treasurer
Co-President → Director, 2022
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jaimie Dockray
Grant Review Co-Chairs
Grant Review Co-Chair → Grant Review Co-Chairs, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joan Panagos
Grant Review Co-Chairs
Grant Review Co-Chair → Grant Review Chair, 2023
Grant Review Chair → Grant Review Co-Chairs, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Mitchell
Development Co-Chair
Co-President → Immediate Past President, 2024
Immediate Past President → Development Co-Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Scinto
Immediate Past President
Vice President → Co-President, 2023
Co-President → Immediate Past President, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne Jesse
Vice President
Director → Development Co-Chair, 2024
Development Co-Chair → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Bechtold
Recording Secretary
Director → Recording Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Gault
Development Co-Chair
Director → Development Co-Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristin Clark
Assistant Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Jaci Picarillo (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Kat Powers (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Katie Dresch (2021–2024) — Grant Review Chair
- Former: Lauren Kelly Weiss (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Mindee Blanco (2021–2024) — Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Sharon Klammer (2021–2024) — Advisory Director
- Former: Rose Thomas (2022–2024) — Advisory Director
- Former: Brooks Dibble (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Danielle Perdue (2021–2023) — At-Large
- Former: Christi Rose (2021–2022) — Development Co-Chair
- Former: Linda Blackwell (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Susan Bonner (2021–2022) — Advisory Director
- Former: Kk Streator (2021) — Director
- Former: Liz Albenze (2021) — Director
- Former: Sarah Parsons (2021) — Correspondence Secretary
- Former: Trish Block (2021) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Near and Far Association Inc
How much does The Near and Far Association Inc give each year?
The Near and Far Association Inc gave $1.1M across 87 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $964K across 82 grants.
What is The Near and Far Association Inc's typical grant size?
The Near and Far Association Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,086, across 87 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Near and Far Association Inc that year got $11K on average.
Where does The Near and Far Association Inc give grants?
The Near and Far Association Inc gives mostly in Connecticut: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Southport, CT (87 grants).
Does The Near and Far Association Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Near and Far Association Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (87 of 87) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are The Near and Far Association Inc's largest grantees?
The Near and Far Association Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Boys & Girls Village Inc ($25,000), Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders Inc ($25,000) and Emerge Inc ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 7% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Near and Far Association Inc?
The Near and Far Association Inc reported $1.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.1M.
What does The Near and Far Association Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to eliminate the causes and effects of poverty in Fairfield County by finding and funding programs that provide life’s basic necessities and seek lasting change. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Near and Far Association Inc?
The program information says applications are by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Near and Far Association Inc's EIN?
The Near and Far Association Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7036523. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does The Near and Far Association 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 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work The Near and Far Association Inc funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Near and Far Association Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Near and Far Association Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-near-and-far-association-inc-morg_525c912164fb4e368e06290d94cf6093
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237036523_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Near and Far Association Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-near-and-far-association-inc-morg_525c912164fb4e368e06290d94cf6093},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Near and Far Association 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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