The Near and Far Association Inc
The Near and Far Association Inc is a public charity based in Southport, Connecticut. Formed in 1946, it is an all-volunteer fundraising and grantmaking organization focused on eliminating poverty in Fairfield County.
Key facts about The Near and Far Association Inc
In short: The Near and Far Association Inc gave $1.1M across 87 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), mostly in Connecticut. 45% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990 filing.
- EIN
- 23-7036523
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,051,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 87
- Average grant
- $12,086
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 45% first-time grantees (39 of 87, 2025)
- Total assets
- $1,808,294
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Applications are by invitation only; the application period runs from June 15 to July 15 each year. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- June 15 to July 15 annually, by invitation only.
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 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 filing · View filing
Total Assets
$1.8M
-5.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+9.1% YoY
Grant Count
87
+6.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
+2.9% YoY
Is The Near and Far Association Inc open to new grantees?
45%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 39 of 87 grantees (45%) 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s 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 pursue lasting change. Its stated funding areas include emergency services such as food, shelter, and clothing; economic security, including job training and support for the working poor; and education and support for children and families.
Its grantees include organizations with a range of services. For example, Liberation Programs says it provides prevention, treatment, outreach, and recovery services related to substance use and mental health. Emerge says it provides safe housing and support services for women and children who are homeless survivors of domestic violence. Horizons Bridgeport describes its work as developing students’ academic, social, and emotional skills, while Operation Hope of Fairfield focuses on hunger, homelessness, crisis response, and stability.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 87 grants totaling $1,051,500. Grants ranged from $6,500 to $25,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest awards included $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.
Review Cycle
** June 15 to July 15 annually, by invitation only.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Near and Far Association Inc
Ready to take the next step with The Near and Far Association Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s stated geographic focus is impoverished communities in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Its 2025 reported grant dollars went entirely to recipients in Connecticut.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 87 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
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
435 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
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 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,808,294 | $1,114,548 | $1,247,052 | $1,051,500 |
| 2024 | $1,910,597 | $1,275,929 | $1,144,805 | $963,500 |
| 2023 | $1,790,965 | $1,319,650 | $1,114,030 | $908,000 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,808,294 | $1,910,597 | $1,790,965 |
| Revenue | $1,114,548 | $1,275,929 | $1,319,650 |
| Expenses | $1,247,052 | $1,144,805 | $1,114,030 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $78,520 | $75,853 | $40,642 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 Rosalina Thomas, Lauren Kelly-Weiss, Lesley O’Connell, and Lisa Albenze as directors. Other listed officers and roles are Joanne Mason, co-president; Georgia Adams, treasurer; Elizabeth Bechtold, recording secretary; Karen Mitchell, development co-chair; and Joan Panagos and Jaimie Dockray, grant review co-chairs.
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.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 717, Southport, CT 06890
Phone: (203) 259-2727
Website: https://nearandfaraid.org
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 filing. 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 filing. 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 filing 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 filing.
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 filing. 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 filing. Its revenue that year was $1.1M.
What does The Near and Far Association Inc fund?
The organization’s 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 pursue lasting change. Its stated funding areas include emergency services such as food, shelter, and clothing; economic security, including job training and support for the working poor; and education and support for children and families. Its grantees include organizations with a range of services. For example, Liberation Pr…
How do I apply for a grant from The Near and Far Association Inc?
Applications are by invitation only; the application period runs from June 15 to July 15 each year. 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.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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