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The Grossman Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.9M

The Grossman Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7.88 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $143 million (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Connecticut
  • Application Method: No public application process (invitation only)
  • Foundation Type: Private family foundation

Contact Details

Address: 133 River Rd., Cos Cob, CT 06807
Phone: (203) 661-228
Website: Not publicly available

Note: Giving is administered through the National Philanthropic Trust, which limits publicly available information about the foundation's operations.

Overview

The Grossman Family Foundation was established in 2008 and operates as a private family foundation based in Cos Cob, Connecticut. With total assets of approximately $143 million and annual charitable disbursements of $7.88 million (2024), the foundation maintains a strong commitment to grantmaking, with 95.2% of its expenses directed to charitable purposes. The foundation focuses its philanthropic efforts on children's causes, community development, literacy, animal welfare, and education, with an exclusive geographic focus on Connecticut organizations. The foundation is known for maintaining an exceptionally low profile and operates through invitation-only grantmaking, with giving currently administered by the National Philanthropic Trust.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines or deadlines. All grantmaking is conducted at trustee discretion on an invitation-only basis.

Priority Areas

  • Children's causes: Supporting organizations that benefit children and youth
  • Community development: Strengthening neighborhoods and community infrastructure
  • Literacy: Promoting reading and educational development
  • Animal welfare: Supporting animal protection and welfare organizations
  • Education: General educational initiatives and programs

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation:

  • Does not fund organizations outside Connecticut
  • Does not accept unsolicited applications from any organization

Governance and Leadership

Leadership (2024):

  • Executive Director: Trish Tweedley (compensation: $228,300)
  • Trustees: Four trustees (Greenberg, Napoli, Meyers, Lewis) each receiving $5,000 annual compensation

The foundation operates with a lean governance structure typical of private family foundations, with decision-making authority resting with the trustees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Grossman Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for funding. All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees, and giving is administered through the National Philanthropic Trust.

According to Inside Philanthropy, "a connection to the family or a past grantee may be the only way to open the door here." The foundation maintains an exceptionally low profile and does not provide public guidance on how organizations can be considered for funding.

Getting on Their Radar

This section is omitted as no specific, actionable intelligence about how this particular funder identifies new grantees was found during research. The foundation's use of the National Philanthropic Trust for administration and its closed application process suggest grants are made based on trustee knowledge and existing relationships rather than through any documented outreach process.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. Decision timelines are at the discretion of the trustees.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation reported making 3 awards in 2022, but does not publish data on applications received or success rates.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Given the closed nature of this foundation's grantmaking, there are no publicly available application success factors or guidance for prospective applicants. The foundation's approach suggests that:

  • Past grantees have included United Way of Western and Coastal Connecticut, Fairfield County's Community Foundation, Kids in Crisis of Cos Cob, Achievement First of New Haven, and Reach Out and Read
  • Significant support example: The foundation provided generous support to Reach Out and Read for "Rx for Success: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Technology-Based Dialogic Reading Training Incorporated into the Reach Out and Read Program," which began enrolling families in Connecticut in April 2018
  • Focus areas in action: This research grant demonstrates the foundation's interest in literacy initiatives that combine innovation (technology-based training) with evidence-based approaches (randomized controlled trials) to benefit children

The limited public information suggests that organizations working in the foundation's priority areas (children, literacy, community development, animal welfare, and education) within Connecticut have received support, but there is no documented path for new organizations to pursue funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation operates exclusively through trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited proposals
  • Connecticut-only: Geographic restriction to Connecticut is absolute
  • Relationship-driven: Connections to the family or past grantees appear to be the only pathway to consideration
  • Strong commitment to mission: With 95.2% of expenses directed to charitable purposes, the foundation demonstrates serious commitment to grantmaking
  • Substantial resources: $143 million in assets and nearly $8 million in annual giving indicate significant grantmaking capacity
  • Low visibility: The foundation deliberately maintains minimal public presence and provides limited information about its operations
  • Administered through NPT: Use of National Philanthropic Trust for administration further limits public access to information about grantmaking patterns

References

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