Walter And Julianne Sullivan Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $88,721 (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: $812,141 (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 $812,141 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 organisations, and community services with a particular focus on Connecticut-based organisations. The foundation maintains a flexible approach to grant-making with no formal application deadlines or restrictions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

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

• General Grant Programme: $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 programmes (largest single grants)
• Animal Welfare: Animal rescue organisations and farm sanctuaries
• Religious Organisations: Catholic institutions and faith-based community services
• Community Services: Organisations addressing poverty, hunger, and basic human needs
• Human Services: Catholic Worker houses and community support programmes

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 organisations received grants of $5,000 or less

What They Don't Fund

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

• Organisations outside Connecticut (all identified grants are Connecticut-based)
• Large national organisations (grants favour local and regional nonprofits)
• Political organisations 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

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 $812,141
• Likely selective grant-making focused on organisations known to the foundation

Reapplication Policy

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

• Previously funded organisations 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 organisations, with strong emphasis on Greater Hartford region. Organisations with West Hartford connections may have an advantage given the foundation's location and founders' ties to the community.

Organisation Size and Scale: The foundation appears to favour small to mid-sized organisations where grants of $1,000-$21,000 can make meaningful impact. Large national organisations 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 organisations (especially farm animal rescue)
• Faith-based community services (Catholic Worker movement and religious institutions)
• Organisations 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 organisations likely influences funding decisions. Organisations 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: Organisations 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 organisations 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 organisations. Establish your Connecticut presence and community impact clearly.

• Consider relationship pathways: As a family foundation, personal connections matter. If your organisation 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 organisations with established relationships or exceptional alignment with foundation priorities.

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

• Rolling deadlines allow strategic timing: Without fixed deadlines, applicants can choose optimal timing.

• 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

• Grantmakers.io Profile: Walter and Julianne Sullivan Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/061501914-walter-and-julianne-sullivan-foundation-julianne-sullivan-trustee/ (Accessed December 16, 2024)

• Legacy.com: Walter Sullivan Obituary (2023). Hartford Courant. Retrieved from https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/hartfordcourant/name/walter-sullivan-obituary?id=52592182 (Accessed December 16, 2024)

• Tara Farm Rescue. Organisation website. Retrieved from https://tarafarmrescue.org/ (Accessed December 16, 2024)

• Hartford Catholic Worker. Donate page. Retrieved from https://hartfordcatholicworker.org/donate/ (Accessed December 16, 2024)

• University of Saint Joseph. Grants & Sponsored Programmes. Retrieved from https://www.usj.edu/give/grants-sponsored-programs/ (Accessed December 16, 2024)