Meriden Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $1,220,037 (2023)
Total Assets: $20,434,241 (2023)
Grant Range: $940 - $34,000
Geographic Focus: Greater Meriden, CT area (donor-advised grants may support organizations elsewhere)
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed

Contact Details

Foundation Administrator: Paul McAfee
Email: pmcafee@websterbank.com
Phone: 860-692-1751
Address: 123 Bank St, Waterbury, CT 06702-2205
Website: www.meridenfoundation.org
Trustee: Webster Bank NA

Overview

Established in 1932, the Meriden Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation dedicated to creating an all-inclusive community and improving the well-being of citizens of Meriden, Connecticut and its surrounding area. The foundation has been tax-exempt since June 1954. With total assets of over $20 million and annual charitable disbursements exceeding $1.2 million, the foundation consistently supports organizations providing public, charitable, and educational services to the greater Meriden community. The foundation operates without regard to race, color, gender, or creed, and provides both scholarships to local high school students and grants to charitable organizations. Health and mental health comprise the foundation's largest giving area, though they maintain a broad approach to community support.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Meriden Foundation provides grants to "any institution which provides public, charitable and educational services to the greater Meriden community." Grants range from $940 to $34,000. The foundation operates an online application portal system, though specific deadlines are not posted publicly and must be obtained by contacting the Foundation Administrator.

Priority Areas

Health and Mental Health (Largest giving area) Past grantees include:

Midstate Medical Center
American Lung Association of the Northeast
Gaylord Hospital
Women and Families Center
Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
Mid State Arc

Community Development Past grantees include:

Meriden Public Library
Boys and Girls Club of Meriden
Beat the Street Community Center
Meriden Farmer's Market

Education Past grantees include:

Southern Connecticut State University
Trinity College in Hartford
Quinnipiac University
University of Connecticut
Local K-12 schools

Human Services Including children and youth services, social services, and YMCAs

Religious Organizations Primarily supporting Christian churches in the Meriden community, including:

First Baptist Church of Meriden
Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish
Meriden First United Methodist Church
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church

Science and Literature Programs

Food Banks and Food Security

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not explicitly publish exclusions, but grantmaking is primarily limited to the greater Meriden, Connecticut area (with the exception of donor-advised grants which may support organizations elsewhere).

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: Webster Bank NA

Foundation Administrator: Paul McAfee (pmcafee@websterbank.com)

In 2023, officer compensation (paid to Webster Bank NA as Trustee) totaled $208,131. The foundation operates with professional trust administration through Webster Bank, ensuring consistent stewardship of the foundation's assets and mission.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Meriden Foundation accepts applications through an online grant application portal. The application process guides applicants through the required information:

Agency-Specific Information Required:

Mission statement
Goals and objectives of the organization
Brief summary of the organization's history
Description of current programs, activities, and accomplishments
Number of paid staff and number of volunteers
Information about board or governing body involvement

Grant-Specific Information Required:

Name of grant requested
Amount being requested
Brief description of request
How the request meets the needs of the City of Meriden
Description of issue to be addressed
Description of goals and objectives of the grant
Description of the activities planned to accomplish these goals
Timetable for implementation and period of time in which funds will be spent

Contact for Application Questions: Paul McAfee, Foundation Administrator, at pmcafee@websterbank.com

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Application deadlines are not posted publicly and must be obtained by contacting Paul McAfee directly.

Success Rates

Success rates and total number of applications received are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly disclosed. Organizations should contact the Foundation Administrator for guidance on reapplication timing.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented priorities and application requirements, successful applications should:

Demonstrate Clear Community Impact: The application specifically asks how the request "meets the needs of the City of Meriden." Successful applicants should articulate concrete ways their programs benefit Meriden residents.

Provide Comprehensive Organizational Information: The foundation seeks detailed information about organizational history, current programs, accomplishments, staffing, and board involvement. Organizations should demonstrate institutional stability and effective governance.

Present Clear Goals and Implementation Plans: Applications must include specific goals, objectives, planned activities, and implementation timetables. The foundation values well-planned projects with measurable outcomes.

Align with Foundation Values: The foundation serves the community "without regard to race, color, gender or creed" and seeks to create an "all-inclusive community." Applications should reflect these values of inclusivity and broad community benefit.

Focus on Health and Community Development: While the foundation supports multiple areas, health and mental health are their largest giving areas. Organizations working in these sectors may find particularly strong alignment.

Maintain Local Connection: With grantmaking mainly limited to the greater Meriden area, organizations should clearly demonstrate their local presence and community ties.

Be Realistic About Grant Size: With grants ranging from $940 to $34,000, applicants should request amounts appropriate to their project scope and the foundation's giving patterns.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Strong local focus: The foundation is deeply committed to the greater Meriden, CT area. Emphasize your organization's local presence and impact on Meriden residents.
Health focus but broad support: While health and mental health are the largest giving areas, the foundation maintains broad interests across education, community development, human services, and religious organizations. Don't limit applications to health-only.
Mid-sized grants: With a range of $940 to $34,000, this foundation is ideal for organizations seeking moderate support for specific projects or programs rather than major institutional funding.
Professional administration: The foundation operates through Webster Bank's trust administration, suggesting a professional and systematic approach to grantmaking.
Contact before applying: With no public application deadlines and limited published guidance, establishing early contact with Paul McAfee is advisable to understand current priorities and timing.
Demonstrate community need: The application specifically requires explanation of how the request meets Meriden's needs. Use local data and community insights to strengthen your case.
Plan thoroughly: The foundation seeks detailed implementation plans with clear goals, activities, and timetables. Invest time in project planning before applying.

References

Meriden Foundation official website: https://www.meridenfoundation.org/ (Accessed December 16, 2025)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Meriden Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/66037849 (Accessed December 16, 2025)
GuideStar Profile - Meriden Foundation: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/06-6037849 (Accessed December 16, 2025)
The Grantsmanship Center - Meriden Foundation: https://www.tgci.com/funder/meriden-foundation (Accessed December 16, 2025)
Inside Philanthropy - Meriden Foundation: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/connecticut-grants/meriden-foundation (Accessed December 16, 2025)
K-12 Grants - The Meriden Foundation: https://www.k12grants.info/GrantDetails.aspx?gid=34597 (Accessed December 16, 2025)
GrantStation - The Meriden Foundation: https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/meriden-foundation (Accessed December 16, 2025)
Candid Foundation Directory - Meriden Foundation: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=MERI003 (Accessed December 16, 2025)
Cause IQ - Meriden Foundation: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/meriden-foundation,066037849/ (Accessed December 16, 2025)