Connelly Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $19.7 million (2024)
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Not publicly available
Grant Range: Variable, focus on program-related investments
Geographic Focus: Greater Philadelphia area

Contact Details

Website: www.connellyfoundation.org (not currently accessible)
Phone: Not publicly available
Email: Not publicly available
Location: Conshohocken, PA

Overview

The Connelly Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1960 with total assets of approximately $362 million as of 2024. The foundation seeks to foster learning and improve quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia area, with annual charitable disbursements of $19.7 million. The foundation has a particular focus on Catholic elementary and secondary education in the Philadelphia region, while also supporting organizations in health and human services, arts and culture, and civic enterprise. Under the leadership of Board Chair Josephine Mandeville, the foundation combines traditional grantmaking with innovative program-related investments in the form of loans for medical research, education, and community development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates several signature programs:

Summer Tech Academy: Professional development for teachers
Connelly Access Program: Cultural experiences for students
Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Awards: Recognition and support for student achievement
Neumann Scholars Program: Scholarship support for students
Promoting Achievement through Classroom Technology (PACT): Technology initiatives in education
Program-Related Investments: Loans for medical research, education, and community development

Priority Areas

Catholic elementary and secondary education (primary focus)
Health and human services
Arts and culture
Civic enterprise
Medical research (through program-related investments)
Community development

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not publicly available, but funding appears limited to organizations serving the Greater Philadelphia area.

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership:

Josephine Mandeville: Board Chair and Principal Officer
Thomas A. Riley: President & Trustee
Valerie K. Martin: CFO & Treasurer
Frances T. Burns: Executive VP, Chief Operating Officer

The foundation maintains a professional leadership team with significant experience in philanthropy and nonprofit management in the Philadelphia region.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Based on available information, the Connelly Foundation appears to operate primarily through invitation and established relationships rather than a public application process. The foundation works with selected nonprofit organizations in the Greater Philadelphia area, particularly those involved in Catholic education.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations seeking support should focus on:

Demonstrating strong alignment with the foundation's focus on education, particularly Catholic schools
Building relationships with foundation leadership and program officers
Participating in foundation-sponsored programs and initiatives
Demonstrating impact in the Greater Philadelphia area

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines not publicly available.

Success Rates

Application and success rate data not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's funding patterns and priorities:

Strong focus on educational outcomes, particularly in Catholic school settings
Clear demonstration of impact in the Greater Philadelphia area
Alignment with foundation's signature programs and initiatives
Track record of effective use of technology in education (for education grants)
Innovative approaches to community development and education
Willingness to participate in program-related investments (loans) for appropriate projects

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

The Connelly Foundation is a major funder in the Greater Philadelphia area with $19.7 million in annual giving
Primary focus is on Catholic elementary and secondary education, though they also fund health, arts, and civic organizations
The foundation operates through established relationships rather than open applications
They offer both traditional grants and program-related investments (loans)
Strong preference for organizations that can demonstrate measurable educational outcomes
Technology integration in education is a key interest area
Geographic focus is strictly limited to the Greater Philadelphia area

References

GuideStar Profile for Connelly Foundation (EIN: 23-6296825), accessed December 2024
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Connelly Foundation IRS Form 990-PF data, accessed December 2024
Foundation financial data from 2024 IRS filings