Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT
Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT is a private foundation based in New Haven, Connecticut. It provides scholarships and grants, with stated award restrictions covering merchant seafarers and their dependents, students at state maritime academies, students majoring in marine sciences, and local organizations in need during major crises.
Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT at a glance
In short: Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT gave $328K across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), top state Connecticut. 27% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $327,951
- -3.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- -23.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,497
- +26.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $18,900
- Total assets
- $2,394,380
- -1.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (4 of 15, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (45% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT
- How to Apply
-
Obtain scholarship and grant notices and applications from the Society. Award restrictions listed on the filing are: merchant seafarers and/or their dependents; students studying at state maritime academies; students majoring in marine sciences; and local organizations in need during times of major crises.
- Review Cycle
- For summer school, April 1; for the academic year, May 15.
- Deadline
- For summer school, April 1; for the academic year, May 15.
- Contact
Application contact: Woman'S Seamen'S Friend Society Of
Mailing address: 291 Whitney Avenue Suite 403, New Haven, CT 06511
Phone: (203) 777-2165
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Massachusetts Maritime Academy ($69K). Together the top 10 received $284K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($24,951), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
102 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 92 grants of 102 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant-dollar distribution was reported as Connecticut 45%, Massachusetts 21%, New York 18%, and Maine 17%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 15 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $23K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 67% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 43% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 88% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $219K (2020) to $571K (2022). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $328K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Maritime Academy Buzzards Bay, MA | Scholarships and Operations | $68,500 |
| Maine Maritime Academy Castine, ME | Scholarships and Operations | $54,200 |
| Seafarers International House New York, NY | Operations | $38,000 |
| Sail CT Access Program Westbrook, CT | Operations | $25,000 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $24,951 |
| Take a Vet Fishing Branford, CT | Operations | $20,000 |
| Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services New Haven, CT | Operations | $20,000 |
| Schooner Inc New Haven, CT | Operations | $20,000 |
| SUNY Maritime College Bronx, NY | Scholarships and Operations | $17,800 |
| Save the Sound New Haven, CT | Operations - Long Island Sound Ecological Studies | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,394,380 | $426,931 | $456,573 | $327,951 | 16 | $406,113 | $376,516 | $460,735 |
| 2024 | $2,424,022 | $422,129 | $481,379 | $339,844 | 21 | $415,048 | $356,539 | $415,055 |
| 2023 | $2,483,272 | $1,359,441 | $485,195 | $350,981 | 20 | $426,091 | $1,300,382 | $359,448 |
| 2022 | $1,609,026 | $850,611 | $704,719 | $570,659 | 23 | $645,709 | $790,146 | $382,502 |
| 2021 | $1,463,134 | $514,285 | $467,540 | $337,750 | 22 | $412,761 | $454,301 | $407,312 |
| 2020 | $1,416,479 | $666,715 | $347,464 | $218,900 | 20 | — | $624,052 | $335,575 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT reported a distributable amount of $461K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No formal mission statement is provided. The foundation’s filing identifies scholarship and grant awards for the groups listed above. Its 2025 grants also show support for maritime education, community organizations, and environmental work.
Among organizations it supported in 2024, Massachusetts Maritime Academy describes its mission as providing scholarships and contributions in support of the academy. Save the Sound says its mission is to protect and improve the land, air, and water of the Long Island Sound region. Gather New Haven describes its primary activities as community gardening, land conservation, and environmental education.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $327,951 across 16 grants. Grants ranged from $1,500 to $68,500, with a median of $18,900. Its largest grants included $68,500 to Massachusetts Maritime Academy for scholarships and operations; $54,200 to Maine Maritime Academy for scholarships and operations; and $38,000 to Seafarers International House for operations. Other grants included $25,000 to Sail CT Access Program, $24,951 to an individual recipient, and $20,000 each to Take a Vet Fishing, Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services, and Schooner Inc.
The foundation’s filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Scholarship and grant notices and applications are available from the Society.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David Totman as executive director; Sara S Tyler as president; Elizabeth Bernardo as first vice president; Margaret Ottenbreit as treasurer; and Carol Clay Wiske as secretary. It also lists Nancy Ahern, Constance Clement, Peggy Eatherton, Amy Estabrook, and Madeleine Fejos as board managers.
Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT is led by David Totman, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 15 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David Totman
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$39K (2021) → $42K (2025)
Sara S. Tyler
President
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Estabrook
Board Manager
Second Vice President → Board Manager, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carol Clay Wiske
Secretary
Board Manager → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Bernardo
First Vice President
Board Manager → First Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Louise Fitzsimons
Board Manager
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Margaret Ottenbreit
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Ahern
Board Manager
Immediate Past President → Board Manager, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Constance Clement
Board Manager
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Georgia Lieber
Board Manager
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janice Markey
Board Manager
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Setaro
Board Manager
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Sudmyer
Board Manager
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Madeleine Fejos
Board Manager
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peggy Eatherton
Board Manager
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Carl Gottschalk (2020–2024) — Board Manager
- Former: Marcia Cavanaugh (2020–2024) — Immediate Past President
- Former: Marianne Mazan (2020–2024) — Honorary Manager
- Former: Mary B. C. Estabrook (2020–2024) — Honorary Manager
- Former: Susan Blanchard (2020–2024) — Board Manager
- Former: Jane Ann Miller (2020–2021) — Board Manager
- Former: Sally Tyler (2020–2021) — First Vice President
- Former: Theresa Mester (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Timothy Grimes (2020–2021) — Board Manager
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $42K, to David Totman (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT
How much does Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT give each year?
Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT gave $328K across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $340K across 21 grants.
What is Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT's typical grant size?
Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT's median grant in 2025 was $18,900, and its average grant was $20,497, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT that year got $14K on average.
Where does Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT give grants?
Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT's top state is Connecticut, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Massachusetts (21%) and New York (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were New Haven, CT (7 grants), New York, NY (2 grants) and Branford, CT (2 grants).
Does Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Operations" (10 grants) and "Scholarships and Operations" (4 grants).
Who are Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT's largest grantees?
Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT's largest 2025 grantees include Massachusetts Maritime Academy ($68,500), Maine Maritime Academy ($54,200) and Seafarers International House ($38,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($24,951), which are not listed by name. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT?
Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT reported $2.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $406K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $461K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT fund?
No formal mission statement is provided. The foundation’s filing identifies scholarship and grant awards for the groups listed above. Its 2025 grants also show support for maritime education, community organizations, and environmental work. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT?
Obtain scholarship and grant notices and applications from the Society. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT's EIN?
Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-0655133. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Newalliance Foundation Inc
New Haven, CT
NewAlliance Foundation supports literacy, arts, community development, health and human services, and youth and education, with an emphasis on strengthening communities and addressing poverty and racism; its grants primarily serve communities in Connecticut, including New Haven and other areas in its service region. In 2025, grants ranged from $50 to $25,000, with a median of $5,000. Its website provides application guidelines and an electronic application, so unsolicited requests are accepted from eligible applicants.
Assets
$35.6M
Grants
156
Total Given
$1.1M
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
Eder Family Foundation Inc
West Haven, CT
Based in West Haven, Connecticut, the Eder Family Foundation supports community, education, arts, and human-services organizations, primarily in Connecticut, with most 2025 grants going to in-state recipients. Its 50 grants ranged from $250 to $110,000, with a median of $5,000; it gives only to preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$5.1M
Grants
50
Total Given
$565K
Liberty Bank Foundation Inc
Middletown, CT
Liberty Bank Foundation funds education, workforce readiness, small-business support, affordable housing, and food security, primarily in communities served by Liberty Bank, especially Connecticut and Greater Springfield, Massachusetts. In 2025, grants ranged from $1,000 to $200,000, with a median of $10,000; its Local Impact Grants typically provide $2,500–$5,000. The foundation’s filing says it funds preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$46.8M
Grants
144
Total Given
$2.3M
Frank & Ellen Cobb Memorial Scholars SCH9012
Concord, NH
The foundation funds scholarships for Higham High School students in Massachusetts who plan to attend a two- or four-year college. In 2025, it awarded $68,000 across 22 grants, ranging from $1,000 to $14,000 (median $3,000); applications are obtained through the school’s guidance department, and the filing lists a March 15 deadline.
Assets
$2.4M
Grants
22
Total Given
$68K
Ethel & Abe Lapides Foundation Inc
New Haven, CT
The foundation supports nonprofits in areas including food assistance, homelessness services, education, arts and culture, health, and community programs, with most funding going to Connecticut organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $4,500, with a median of $1,000; it accepts written requests and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
71
Total Given
$95K
More similar funders
More Funders in Connecticut
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/woman-s-seamen-s-friend-society-of-ct-morg_2252d93be76e4e838df42077e6f2c761
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_060655133_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/woman-s-seamen-s-friend-society-of-ct-morg_2252d93be76e4e838df42077e6f2c761},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT'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.
Woman's Seamen's Friend Society of CT down — hundreds of funders to go?