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Walter And Julianne Sullivan Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.1M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M

Walter And Julianne Sullivan Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $89,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Rolling basis - no fixed deadlines
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $21,000
  • Median Grant: $2,800
  • Total Assets: $1.8 million (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Connecticut, particularly Greater Hartford region

Contact Details

Trustee: Julie Coscarelli
Address: 6 Ironwood Lane, West Hartford, CT 06117
Phone: (860) 838-8160
Mailing Address: 836 Farmington Ave 138, West Hartford, CT 06117
EIN: 06-1501914

Overview

The Walter And Julianne Sullivan Foundation is a private family foundation based in West Hartford, Connecticut, established by Walter D. Sullivan (1931-2023) and Julianne Sullivan. With assets of $1.8 million as of 2023, the foundation has a consistent record of charitable giving, having awarded 79 grants over the past three years with annual distributions ranging from $64,000 to $90,000. The foundation operates with minimal administrative overhead and is currently managed by trustee Julie Coscarelli. The foundation's grant-making reflects a broad charitable mission supporting education, animal welfare, religious organizations, and community services with a particular focus on Connecticut-based organizations. The foundation maintains a flexible approach to grant-making with no formal application deadlines or restrictions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single discretionary grant program with no formal application cycles:

  • General Grant Program: $1,000 - $21,000 (rolling basis, no deadlines)
  • Application method: No special form required, flexible submission process

Priority Areas

Based on 2023 grant awards, the foundation actively funds:

  • Education: Private schools, universities, and educational programs (largest single grants)
  • Animal Welfare: Animal rescue organizations and farm sanctuaries
  • Religious Organizations: Catholic institutions and faith-based community services
  • Community Services: Organizations addressing poverty, hunger, and basic human needs
  • Human Services: Catholic Worker houses and community support programs

Recent grant recipients (2023) include:

  • Renbrook School: $21,000
  • Tara Farm Rescue (animal sanctuary): $9,000
  • University of Saint Joseph: $8,101
  • Hartford Catholic Worker: $6,000
  • Multiple organizations received grants of $5,000 or less

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly specify exclusions, but grant history suggests:

  • Organizations outside Connecticut (all identified grants are Connecticut-based)
  • Large national organizations (grants favor local and regional nonprofits)
  • Political organizations or advocacy groups

Governance and Leadership

Julie Coscarelli serves as Trustee (0.5 hours/week, uncompensated). As trustee, Coscarelli oversees the foundation's grant-making decisions and operations following the philanthropic vision established by founders Walter and Julianne Sullivan.

Walter D. Sullivan (1931-2023), co-founder of the foundation, was a West Hartford resident who established this charitable vehicle to support causes important to him and his wife Julianne throughout their lives.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation maintains an informal, accessible application process:

  • No special application form required
  • No fixed deadlines - applications accepted on a rolling basis
  • No stated restrictions on who may apply
  • Applications can be submitted in writing to the trustee at the contact address provided above
  • Phone inquiries welcomed at (860) 838-8160

Given the small staff (trustee works 0.5 hours per week), applicants should be prepared for:

  • Simplified application materials (letter of inquiry likely sufficient)
  • Personal discretion-based decision-making
  • Informal communication process

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified. Given the foundation's:

  • Rolling application process
  • Single trustee decision-maker
  • Limited administrative hours (0.5 hours/week)

Applicants should expect:

  • Variable decision timeframes depending on when applications are received
  • Potentially quicker decisions than larger foundations with formal review cycles
  • Possible delays during certain times of year

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. However, context suggests:

  • The foundation awarded 21 grants in 2023
  • Average grant size of approximately $4,238
  • Relatively small number of annual grants given assets of $1.8 million
  • Likely selective grant-making focused on organizations known to the foundation

Reapplication Policy

No formal reapplication restrictions are stated. The foundation's history of supporting multiple organizations over several years suggests:

  • Previously funded organizations may apply again
  • Repeat funding is possible (evidenced by consistent annual giving to likely returning recipients)
  • No waiting period between applications

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's grant-making patterns and structure:

Geographic Connection: All identified grants support Connecticut organizations, with strong emphasis on Greater Hartford region. Organizations with West Hartford connections may have an advantage given the foundation's location and founders' ties to the community.

Organization Size and Scale: The foundation appears to favor small to mid-sized organizations where grants of $1,000-$21,000 can make meaningful impact. Large national organizations are not represented in the grant portfolio.

Areas of Focus: Grant history reveals clear preferences:

  • Educational institutions (particularly private schools and Catholic universities)
  • Animal welfare organizations (especially farm animal rescue)
  • Faith-based community services (Catholic Worker movement and religious institutions)
  • Organizations addressing basic human needs (food, shelter, emergency assistance)

Relationship-Based Grant-Making: As a family foundation with a single trustee working minimal hours, personal knowledge of organizations likely influences funding decisions. Organizations with connections to the Sullivan family, West Hartford community, or Catholic institutions may have stronger prospects.

Simple, Direct Requests: With no formal application form or complex requirements, the foundation appears to value straightforward communication. Applications should be concise, clear about funding needs, and specific about how grants will be used.

Mission Alignment: Organizations should demonstrate clear alignment with one or more of the foundation's established funding priorities. Multi-purpose requests that don't clearly fit an established category may be less competitive.

Modest Budget Requests: The median grant of $2,800 suggests most successful applicants request amounts under $5,000. Requests above $10,000 appear reserved for organizations with strong connections to the foundation (like Renbrook School's $21,000 grant).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Keep it simple: No formal application form means a well-crafted letter of inquiry is likely sufficient. Focus on clear, compelling storytelling about your mission and specific funding needs.

  • Connecticut connection is essential: All evidence suggests the foundation funds exclusively Connecticut-based organizations. Establish your Connecticut presence and community impact clearly.

  • Consider relationship pathways: As a family foundation, personal connections matter. If your organization has board members, donors, or partners with West Hartford connections, this context may be valuable.

  • Right-size your request: With a median grant of $2,800, most successful applications request under $5,000. Larger requests ($10,000+) should be reserved for organizations with established relationships or exceptional alignment with foundation priorities.

  • Emphasize education, animals, or faith-based services: These three areas dominate the grant portfolio. Organizations working at the intersection of these areas (e.g., educational programs at faith-based organizations) may be particularly competitive.

  • Rolling deadlines allow strategic timing: Without fixed deadlines, applicants can choose optimal timing. Consider applying after the foundation's fiscal year-end when annual giving decisions may be made, or early in the year when funds are fresh.

  • Be prepared for informal process: With 0.5 hours per week of administrative time, expect a streamlined, personal process rather than formal institutional procedures. Phone communication is welcomed and may help establish rapport.

References

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