← Back to US Funders Directory

Jeffrey P. Ossen Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.0M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $961,946 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $17.9 million (2024)
  • Average Grant: $16,505
  • Grant Range: Grants typically around $10,000
  • Geographic Focus: Connecticut (primarily Windham area)
  • Application Deadlines: November 1 and April 1 (semi-annual)
  • Decision Time: Semi-annual review cycle

Contact Details

Website: www.jeffreypossen.org
Email: info@jeffreypossen.org
Phone: (860) 942-2507
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 370085, West Hartford, CT 06137
Contact for Applications: Jacqueline Berkowitz, Executive Director

Overview

The Jeffrey P. Ossen Family Foundation was established in March 2008 as a private family foundation to continue the Ossen family's commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Windham communities through grants to qualified charitable organizations. With total assets of $17.9 million and annual giving of approximately $962,000, the foundation awarded 37 grants in 2023. The foundation is dedicated to supporting opportunities for people by investing in four focus areas: Housing, Food, Physical and Emotional Well-Being, and Education. Led by President Carolyn Linkov, Executive Director Jacqueline Berkowitz (MSW, LCSW), and Secretary Elizabeth Ossen, the foundation seeks to empower communities through sustainable initiatives with partner organizations who can impact and inspire change to create a more equitable, just, and healthy society. The foundation is a member of the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a semi-annual grant cycle with fixed deadlines:

  • Spring Cycle: Applications due April 1
  • Winter Cycle: Applications due November 1

The foundation awarded 37 grants totaling $610,673 in 2023, with an average grant size of $16,505. Recent grant awards have included $10,000 grants to hospital food security programs and multi-year partnership grants for music education programs.

Priority Areas

The foundation has evolved its focus areas and currently prioritizes:

Primary Focus Areas:

  • Housing: Supporting access to stable housing
  • Food: Addressing food insecurity and nutrition programs
  • Physical and Emotional Well-Being: Supporting comprehensive healthcare for body and mind
  • Education: Educational programs and opportunities

Previously Stated Focus (still relevant):

  • Cultural Arts
  • Education
  • Healthcare

Key Themes:

  • Programs serving individuals with significant needs
  • Collaborative efforts and integrated, comprehensive proposals
  • New initiatives, special projects, and program expansion
  • Sustainable initiatives that create systemic change
  • Equitable access to services

What They Don't Fund

Geographic Restrictions:

  • Unless invited by the foundation, applicants must provide services in Connecticut, primarily to individuals from the Windham area

Limited or No Funding For:

  • Multi-year funding (unless invited to apply)
  • Equipment or products (considered only on a limited basis when equipment is a significant factor in program outcomes)
  • General overhead expenses (may consider overhead for persons directly facilitating the submitted project/program, typically contracted specialists and program/project staff)
  • Continuing funding after two or more years for programs that do not provide essential services to those with significant needs (becomes lower priority)
  • Organizations with outstanding reports due from prior grants (applications will not be considered)

Application Restrictions:

  • Only one grant application may be submitted in any twelve-month period

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

  • Carolyn Linkov - President (compensation: $29,200 in 2024). Carolyn is the daughter of founder Jeffrey P. Ossen
  • Jacqueline Berkowitz, MSW, LCSW - Treasurer & Executive Director (compensation: $139,014 plus $34,374 other compensation in 2024). Jacqueline brings nearly three decades of experience and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker assisting children and families in the Greater Hartford, Connecticut area since 1995. She is also affiliated with the Center for Medicare Advocacy. Daughter of founder Jeffrey P. Ossen
  • Elizabeth Ossen - Secretary (compensation: $12,500 in 2024). Daughter of founder Jeffrey P. Ossen

Founder's Legacy: The foundation was established by Jeffrey P. Ossen, who passed away, and his wife Eileen (Moran) Ossen, who served as past director of the foundation and passed away in October 2021. The family resided in Mansfield Center, located in the Windham County region of Connecticut.

Quote from Foundation Leadership: Debbie Bender, Director of Philanthropy at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, noted in announcing a grant: "Charlotte Hungerford is thrilled to receive our first grant from the Jeffrey P. Ossen Family Foundation," highlighting the foundation's commitment to supporting organizations providing holistic care that addresses community health needs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method:

  • Online application available at www.jeffreypossen.org
  • Applications can also be submitted by mail to: Jeffrey P. Ossen Family Foundation, Attn. Jacqueline Berkowitz, P.O. Box 370085, West Hartford, CT 06137

Eligibility:

  • Must be designated by the IRS as a nonprofit under 501(c)(3), or have an agreement with another 501(c)(3) organization serving as fiscal agent
  • Unless invited to apply, must provide services in Connecticut, primarily to individuals from the Windham area
  • Cannot have outstanding reports due from prior grants

Pre-Application Engagement: Applicants are welcomed and encouraged to discuss their proposal with the foundation's staff either by telephone or in person before submitting.

Application Frequency: Only one grant application may be submitted in any twelve-month period.

Decision Timeline

The Board of Trustees meets semi-annually:

  • Winter Meeting: Applications due November 1
  • Spring Meeting: Applications due April 1

Notification methods are not explicitly stated in available sources, but applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation directly to discuss their proposals.

Success Rates

In 2023, the foundation awarded 37 grants totaling $610,673. Specific application numbers and success rates are not publicly disclosed, but with 37 awards from what appears to be a focused geographic area (Windham and surrounding Connecticut communities), the foundation maintains a selective but active grantmaking program.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation requires that only one grant application may be submitted in any twelve-month period. Organizations with outstanding reports due from prior grants will not be considered for new funding until those reports are submitted.

Specific policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly stated. Applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation's staff to discuss their proposals and explore whether reapplication is appropriate.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities:

  1. Windham Area Focus: The foundation has deep roots in the Windham community and prioritizes organizations serving this area. As stated in their guidelines, unless invited, applicants must provide services "primarily to individuals from the Windham area."

  2. Collaborative and Comprehensive Approaches: The foundation explicitly states it "encourages collaborative efforts and integrated, comprehensive proposals." Examples include their partnership funding of Save The Music Foundation's 5-year music education rebuild in Windham Public Schools.

  3. Sustainable, Systemic Change: The foundation seeks "sustainable initiatives with partner organizations who can impact and inspire change to create a more equitable, just, and healthy society."

  4. Serving Significant Needs: The foundation prioritizes "essential services to those with significant needs" and takes a holistic approach to well-being.

  5. New Initiatives and Expansion: The foundation prefers to support "new initiatives, special projects, and expansion of current programs" rather than general operating support.

Recent Grant Examples:

  • Food4Health Programs: $10,000 grants to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and Backus Hospital to provide free nutritious food and professional guidance to food-insecure patients
  • CLiCK (Commercially Licensed Cooperative Kitchen): Multi-year support for teaching kitchen to improve nutrition and culinary education in Windham
  • Save The Music Foundation Partnership: Multi-year collaboration for 5-year music education rebuild in Windham Public Schools K-8
  • Windham Area Women & Girls Fund: Three-year matching challenge grant (each dollar donated was matched by the foundation)
  • UConn Opera Theater: Sponsorship of "Hansel & Gretel" production with free tickets for Windham Public Schools students
  • Eastern Connecticut State University: Five-figure gifts to establish the Kevin Crosbie Memorial Endowed Scholarship for music majors

Pre-Application Discussion Encouraged: The foundation explicitly welcomes preliminary conversations: "Applicants are welcomed and encouraged to discuss their proposal with the Foundation's staff either by telephone or in person."

Report Compliance is Critical: Organizations with outstanding reports from previous grants will not be considered. This indicates the foundation values accountability and follow-through.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Lead with Windham area impact: Unless specifically invited, your organization must serve Connecticut residents, primarily from the Windham area. Make this geographic connection clear and prominent
  • Emphasize collaboration and comprehensive approaches: The foundation explicitly values integrated proposals and collaborative efforts across organizations
  • Focus on the four pillars: Frame your proposal around Housing, Food, Physical and Emotional Well-Being, or Education, showing how your work addresses root causes and creates sustainable change
  • Schedule a pre-application conversation: The foundation welcomes and encourages preliminary discussions—take advantage of this opportunity to align your proposal with their priorities
  • Highlight new initiatives or expansions: Position your request as supporting innovation, special projects, or program expansion rather than general operations
  • Demonstrate service to significant needs: Show how your program provides essential services to vulnerable populations with substantial needs
  • Submit only one application per year: Strategic timing is important—choose your strongest project and wait for the right cycle (April 1 or November 1 deadlines)
  • Consider multi-year partnerships: While not typically offered, the foundation has made multi-year commitments to invited organizations (Save The Music, Windham Women & Girls Fund)—building a relationship through initial grants may open doors to longer-term support

References

← Back to US Funders Directory