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Henry E. Niles Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$1.8M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.1M
Decision Time
1mo

Henry E. Niles Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,763,000 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $28.9 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Approximately 3-4 weeks from application submission to board review
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $50,000 (up to $100,000 in exceptional circumstances)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily northeastern United States (but grants made nationally and internationally through US-based nonprofits)

Contact Details

Address: 79 Charter Oak Road, Southbury, CT 06488

Phone: 203-249-0380

Website: www.henryniles.org

Application Portal: Online application form available through website

Overview

The Henry E. Niles Foundation Inc was established in 1990 as a private foundation dedicated to nurturing and uplifting people in need worldwide. With total assets of $28.9 million and annual charitable disbursements of approximately $1.76 million in 2023, the foundation partners with US-based nonprofits to support humanitarian efforts, including faith-based initiatives. The foundation is governed by a three-member board of directors who meet ten times annually to review grant applications on a rolling basis. The foundation's strategic approach emphasizes supporting organizations that address root causes rather than symptoms, test innovative pilot programs, foster collaborative partnerships, and demonstrate strong leadership with commitment to measuring impact. The foundation operates independently through investment returns with no external contributions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grant Program: $2,500 - $50,000 (applications accepted on rolling basis throughout the year)

  • Board meets 10 times annually (no meetings in February or August)
  • Reviews up to 35 applications per meeting
  • Occasionally awards grants up to $100,000 for programs with significant impact in multiple interest areas
  • Multi-year grants available (eligibility to reapply one year after final grant check issued)

Priority Areas

Education: Primary, secondary, and higher education for motivated individuals unable to access quality education without assistance, with particular emphasis on:

  • Special education programs
  • Literacy initiatives
  • Educational programs for underserved populations

Economic Self-Sufficiency: Programs addressing economic hardship through self-help opportunities, including:

  • Job training and workforce development
  • Entrepreneurialism support and encouragement
  • Mentoring programs
  • Micro-credit initiatives

Health & Independence: Medical and public health assistance, with special interest in:

  • Healthcare for the elderly, poor, disadvantaged, and disabled
  • Public health and sanitation improvements globally
  • Health programs that promote independence

Cross-Cutting Priorities: The foundation particularly values:

  • Organizations addressing long-term solutions to root causes of problems (not just treating symptoms)
  • Programs operating at the intersection of multiple program interests
  • Collaborative efforts and partnerships among multiple organizations
  • Pilot initiatives testing new and innovative program models
  • Organizations with specific plans for financial sustainability

What They Don't Fund

  • Non-501(c)(3) organizations
  • Individuals
  • General fundraising campaigns or annual appeals
  • Endowment funds
  • Government agencies
  • Organizations without capacity for or effort toward private funding
  • International programs except through US tax-exempt organizations
  • Requests outside the three primary program areas (education, economic self-sufficiency, health & independence)

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a three-member board of directors:

  • Geoffrey M. Parkinson, President and Director
  • Leland C. Selby, Vice President, Secretary, and Director
  • James R. Lamb, Treasurer and Director

The foundation emphasizes that it values grantee organizations demonstrating "effective and dynamic personnel," "passionate leadership," "resistance to bureaucracy," "prudent management and governance," and "strong commitment to measuring program impact and results."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Online application form only (one application per calendar year)

Application Requirements:

  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status required
  • Active board of directors with policy-making authority
  • Demonstrated competence in sound financial management
  • Organizations must respond concisely to all application questions

Application Review Process:

  1. Foundation administrator reviews applications for completeness
  2. Applications assembled into meeting agenda packages
  3. Packages sent to directors approximately 2 weeks prior to board meeting
  4. Applications reviewed in order received on rolling basis
  5. Board evaluates and may: decline, approve, defer, request additional information, schedule site visit, or invite for interview
  6. Applicants notified in writing approximately 1 week after board meeting

If Approved:

  • Organization receives agreement letter requiring signature before funds disbursed
  • Board may approve different funding amount than requested, which will be outlined in agreement letter

Decision Timeline

  • Application to Board Review: Typically 1 month prior to scheduled meeting date is sufficient (if no application backlog)
  • Board Meetings: 10 times per year (excluding February and August)
  • Board Review Capacity: Up to 35 applications reviewed per meeting
  • Notification: Approximately 1 week after board meeting
  • Total Timeline: Approximately 3-4 weeks from submission to decision notification (depending on meeting schedule and application backlog)

Success Rates

Success rate statistics are not publicly disclosed by the foundation. With 10 board meetings per year and capacity to review up to 35 applications per meeting, the foundation could review up to 350 applications annually, though actual numbers are not published.

Reapplication Policy

If Declined: Organizations may not reapply for at least two calendar years from the date of the original application. When reapplying, organizations must "describe any changes in full."

If Deferred: Applications may be re-reviewed at a later board meeting. Contact foundation for status inquiries.

After Single-Year Grant: Organizations may submit one application per calendar year using the Application Form.

After Multi-Year Grant: Organizations become eligible to submit a renewal request one year after the last grant check is issued.

Important Restriction: Organizations may apply to only one of the two Niles Foundations (Henry E. Niles Foundation or Laura J. Niles Foundation)—not both.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's published guidance, successful applications demonstrate the following characteristics:

Alignment with Mission Philosophy: The foundation explicitly states it favors "organizations that address long-term solutions to the causes of problems, as distinguished from programs that simply treat the symptoms." Applications should clearly articulate how the program addresses root causes.

Collaborative Approach: The foundation is "particularly interested in organizations that promote partnerships and collaborative efforts among multiple groups and organizations." Highlight any partnerships or collaborative elements in your proposal.

Innovation and Pilot Programs: The foundation values "pilot initiatives that test new and innovative program models." If your program includes innovative approaches or pilot components, emphasize these aspects.

Financial Sustainability: Demonstrate "specific plans for financial sustainability." The foundation wants to see that organizations have thought beyond the grant period about how programs will continue.

Intersection of Priorities: Programs that operate "at the intersection of multiple program interests" (e.g., education + economic self-sufficiency or health + education) appear to be particularly attractive to the foundation.

Strong Leadership and Management: The foundation values organizations with "effective and dynamic personnel," "passionate leadership," "resistance to bureaucracy," and "prudent management and governance." Your application should reflect strong organizational capacity.

Commitment to Measurement: Demonstrate "strong commitment to measuring program impact and results." Include specific metrics and evaluation plans in your application.

Concise Communication: The foundation advises applicants to "respond concisely to all questions" in the application. Avoid verbosity and answer questions directly.

Review Mission First: The foundation explicitly advises: "Review the mission of the Henry E. Niles Foundation first" before applying. Ensure clear alignment with one or more of the three priority areas before investing time in an application.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Root causes over symptoms: Frame your program as addressing underlying causes of problems, not just providing temporary relief or treating symptoms—this is a core philosophical priority for the foundation
  • Emphasize collaboration: If your program involves partnerships with other organizations or promotes collaborative approaches, feature this prominently as the foundation explicitly values this
  • Geographic focus: While primarily focused on the northeastern United States, the foundation does make grants nationally and internationally (through US nonprofits), so don't be deterred by location
  • Strategic timing: With rolling applications and 10 board meetings per year, plan to submit approximately one month before a scheduled meeting date (noting no meetings in February or August)
  • Two-year waiting period: If declined, you cannot reapply for two calendar years, so ensure your application is as strong as possible before submitting
  • One foundation only: Remember you can apply to either the Henry E. Niles Foundation or the Laura J. Niles Foundation, but not both—choose strategically based on which mission aligns better
  • Multi-year possibilities: The foundation offers multi-year grants, so if your program would benefit from sustained support, consider requesting multi-year funding with strong justification
  • Financial sustainability: Include specific plans for how your program will continue beyond the grant period, as this is explicitly valued by the foundation

References

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