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Carl & Dorothy Bennett Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$1.3M
Grant Range
$100K - $9.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,331,000 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $18,420,254 (2025)
  • Grant Range: Variable - from major multi-million dollar gifts to smaller targeted grants
  • Awards Made: 6 grants in 2024, 5 in 2023, 3 in 2022
  • Geographic Focus: Connecticut and Israel
  • Application Process: No public application process - invitation only

Contact Details

Address: Greenwich, CT
Foundation President: Robin Bennett-Kanarek
EIN: 06-6051371
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) private foundation (tax-exempt since December 1963)

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The Carl & Dorothy Bennett Foundation Inc. was established in 1963 by Carl and Dorothy Bennett, founders of the Caldor discount department store chain. With total assets of approximately $18.4 million and annual giving of $1.3 million, the foundation represents the couple's commitment to education, healthcare, medical research, and support for Jewish institutions and the State of Israel. Carl Bennett passed away in 2021 at age 101, but the foundation continues under the leadership of their daughter, Robin Bennett-Kanarek, ensuring that the organizations the Bennetts loved continue to receive support. The foundation's giving has been particularly focused on transformational gifts to healthcare institutions in Connecticut and educational programs in Judaic studies. Carl Bennett received Israel's Prime Minister Award for distinguished service in 1973, reflecting his lifelong commitment to Jewish causes.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Healthcare Institutions: The foundation has been a transformational supporter of Connecticut hospitals, particularly:

  • Stamford Hospital (Bennett Cancer Center) - over $20 million in total giving, including a $9.1 million gift in 2014
  • Greenwich Hospital - including funding for the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Community Garden completed in 2006

Jewish Education and Culture:

  • Bennett Center for Judaic Studies at Fairfield University - established with an initial $1.5 million endowment in 1994
  • Yeshiva University
  • The Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, Israel

Social Services:

  • Jewish Senior Services in Bridgeport (formerly Jewish Home for the Elderly)

Giving Philosophy

The foundation reflects Carl Bennett's strategic approach to philanthropy. As Professor Philip Eliasoph noted, "He knew how to make something happen and he knew how to do it the right way." Rabbi Daniel Cohen observed that Bennett "lived his life with purpose and harnessed his blessings to truly leave our community and world a much better place."

The foundation focuses on transformational gifts that create lasting impact rather than spreading resources thinly across many organizations.

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation with preselected beneficiaries, the foundation does not fund:

  • Unsolicited proposals
  • Organizations outside their established relationships
  • General operating support for organizations without prior connection to the family

Governance and Leadership

Robin Bennett-Kanarek (President/Director): Daughter of Carl and Dorothy Bennett, she is a registered nurse (BSN '96 from Fairfield University), philanthropist, and author who advocates for palliative care. She served on Stamford Hospital's board from 2000-2013 and also worked as a nurse at the hospital. She is also founder and president of the Kanarek Family Foundation, which focuses on palliative care.

Malcolm Martin (Director)
Bruce Shapiro (Director)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Carl & Dorothy Bennett Foundation has indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees based on the foundation's established relationships and philanthropic priorities set by the founders.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's specific focus on organizations with direct connections to the Bennett family, there are limited pathways for new organizations:

For Healthcare Organizations in Connecticut: The foundation has demonstrated deep commitment to Stamford Hospital and Greenwich Hospital. Organizations within Connecticut's healthcare system that can demonstrate alignment with the foundation's focus on cancer care, emergency medicine, or patient care environments may explore whether shared board connections exist through Robin Bennett-Kanarek's extensive healthcare network.

For Jewish Educational and Cultural Organizations: The Bennett Center for Judaic Studies at Fairfield University serves as a model for the type of educational program the foundation supports. Organizations focused on academic Jewish studies or cultural programs that serve both Jewish and wider communities should note that Carl Bennett joined Stamford Hospital's board in 1974 after being asked - suggesting that board service and personal relationships are key pathways to the foundation's support.

For Organizations Supporting Israel: The foundation's support of the Weizmann Institute indicates interest in Israeli research and educational institutions of international significance.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a small private foundation making 3-6 grants per year, decisions are made by trustees on a discretionary basis rather than following fixed grant cycles.

Application Success Factors

The Carl & Dorothy Bennett Foundation's giving patterns reveal clear success factors, though these apply primarily to organizations already within their circle of giving:

Transformational Impact Potential: The foundation favors large, strategic gifts that create lasting institutional change. The $9.1 million gift to Stamford Hospital and the establishment of entire centers (Bennett Cancer Center, Bennett Center for Judaic Studies) demonstrate preference for naming opportunities and foundational support rather than annual operating grants.

Personal Connection: Carl Bennett's involvement as a board member at Stamford Hospital (joining in 1974) preceded the family's major giving. Robin Bennett-Kanarek's service on Stamford Hospital's board (2000-2013) and her work as a nurse there reinforced this connection. Personal relationships and board service appear to be prerequisites for major foundation support.

Institutional Excellence: The organizations receiving support - Stamford Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Fairfield University, Yeshiva University, Weizmann Institute - are all well-established institutions with strong reputations in their fields.

Alignment with Core Values: As Rabbi Daniel Cohen noted, Bennett "lived his life with purpose." Organizations that align with the foundation's core values of education, healthcare excellence, Jewish culture and learning, and support for Israel are most likely to receive consideration.

Long-term Relationship Building: The foundation makes 3-6 grants per year from a relatively stable pool of beneficiaries, suggesting that becoming a grantee requires patient relationship building over years rather than a single compelling proposal.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only foundation - there is no public application process and unsolicited proposals are not accepted
  • Family connection is essential - grants flow from personal relationships built through board service, professional connections (Robin's nursing background), and shared values
  • Think transformational, not incremental - with $1.3 million in annual giving spread across 3-6 grants, the foundation makes significant gifts ($200,000+ range) rather than many small grants
  • Connecticut healthcare and Jewish education are core priorities - the foundation's giving history shows consistent support for these sectors over 60+ years
  • Long-term perspective - established in 1963, the foundation continues the founders' vision even after Carl Bennett's death in 2021, suggesting stable giving patterns
  • Patient capital - the foundation's approach favors endowments and capital projects (buildings, centers) over operating support
  • Limited new grantees - making only 3-6 grants annually to established relationships means extremely limited opportunities for new organizations to enter the giving portfolio

References

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