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William F Connell Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$1.2M
000

William F Connell Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1.22 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Grant Range: Varies by recipient
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Greater Boston area and causes connected to the Connell family's interests
  • Total Assets: $30.1 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 6 Beacon Street, Suite 415, Boston, MA 02108

EIN: 22-2778156

Note: The foundation does not have a public website, phone number, or email for grant inquiries. They do not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Overview

The William F Connell Charitable Trust was established in 1987 as a private family foundation, receiving tax-exempt status in March 1987. Named after William F. Connell (1938-2001), a prominent Boston businessman who rose from humble beginnings as the son of Irish immigrants to become chairman and CEO of Connell Limited Partnership, a $1 billion metal manufacturing and recycling enterprise. The foundation carries forward his philanthropic legacy, which was guided by his simple philosophy: "If you get lucky, you're supposed to share." With assets of $30.1 million as of 2024, the trust made charitable disbursements of $1.22 million in 2024, continuing the Connell family's tradition of supporting education, healthcare, and community organizations, particularly in the Greater Boston area. The foundation operates as a classic private family foundation managed by six family trustees.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The William F Connell Charitable Trust operates through trustee discretion rather than formal grant programs. The foundation made approximately 13 grants in 2023 with total giving of $95,000, and charitable disbursements increased significantly to $1.22 million in 2024, suggesting variable annual giving based on investment performance and family decisions.

Based on the philanthropic legacy of William F. Connell and the family's known charitable interests, the foundation has historically supported:

  • Educational institutions: Particularly Catholic education, Boston College, Harvard Business School, and St. Mary's High School in Lynn, Massachusetts
  • Healthcare organizations: Including nursing education, hospitals such as Dana Farber, Massachusetts General Hospital, and St. Elizabeth's Hospital
  • Arts and culture: Boston Symphony Orchestra
  • Community organizations: Particularly in Lynn, Massachusetts and Greater Boston

Priority Areas

While the foundation does not publish specific priority areas, the Connell family's philanthropic history indicates strong interest in:

  • Catholic education at all levels
  • Nursing and healthcare education
  • Hospital and medical research institutions
  • Organizations serving Lynn, Massachusetts (William F. Connell's hometown)
  • Leadership development programs
  • Arts organizations

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly states it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. This means:

  • No funding for organizations unknown to the trustees
  • No consideration of applications from new organizations
  • No response to general funding inquiries

Governance and Leadership

The William F Connell Charitable Trust is governed by six family trustees, all serving without compensation:

  • Monica C Healey
  • Lisa T McNamara
  • Courtenay E Connell
  • William C Connell
  • Terence A Connell
  • Timothy P Connell

These trustees are members of the Connell family, children of the late William F. Connell and his wife Margot C. Connell, who have continued their father's philanthropic legacy. The family has demonstrated sustained commitment to the causes their father championed, including major gifts to Boston College and ongoing support for educational institutions.

William F. Connell's philosophy guides the foundation's work. He once stated: "If you get lucky, you're supposed to share," reflecting his belief in giving back to the community that supported his success.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The William F Connell Charitable Trust explicitly states that it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the six family trustees based on their knowledge of organizations and causes that align with the Connell family's philanthropic interests and values. Organizations are identified through the trustees' existing relationships, board connections, and family involvement in the Greater Boston charitable community.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable. Grants are made on a rolling basis at trustee discretion throughout the year, with 13 grants made in 2023.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation does not accept applications, therefore there is no success rate for external applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable. Organizations cannot apply or reapply as there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the William F Connell Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have historically received support from the Connell family share certain characteristics:

  • Long-standing institutions with proven track records: The Connell family has supported established institutions like Boston College, Harvard Business School, St. Mary's High School, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Dana Farber.

  • Connection to the family's values and interests: Catholic education, healthcare (especially nursing), leadership development, and organizations serving Lynn, Massachusetts align with William F. Connell's personal history and the family's ongoing commitments.

  • Boston and Lynn area focus: The foundation strongly favors organizations in Greater Boston, with particular interest in Lynn, Massachusetts, where William F. Connell grew up.

  • Educational institutions: Given the family's transformative educational experiences (Boston College, Harvard Business School), educational organizations, particularly those serving first-generation college students or providing access to quality education, resonate with the family's story.

  • Organizations where family members serve on boards or have personal involvement: The Connell family members' direct engagement with organizations through board service or volunteer work creates pathways for funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications. They only fund preselected organizations.

  • Family trustees make all decisions: The six Connell family members serving as trustees select recipients based on personal knowledge, family values, and existing relationships.

  • Focus on education and healthcare: The foundation's giving reflects William F. Connell's legacy of supporting educational institutions (especially Catholic schools and universities) and healthcare organizations.

  • Geographic priority is Greater Boston and Lynn, MA: Organizations outside this geographic area are unlikely to receive funding unless they have special significance to the family.

  • Multi-generational philanthropy: The Connell children have sustained and expanded their father's charitable commitments, making major gifts to Boston College and other institutions over two decades after his death.

  • Assets and giving vary significantly: The foundation received a large capital contribution in 2023 ($30.6 million), suggesting estate planning or asset transfers that can create variations in annual grantmaking capacity.

  • Not a prospect for most organizations: Unless your organization already has a relationship with a Connell family member or operates in their core areas of interest in Greater Boston, this foundation should not be considered a viable funding prospect.

References

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