Funding
Guidelines
The Connelly Foundation supports nonprofits with strong leadership, sound ideas, and well-defined, attainable goals, and prefers to support endeavors that receive funding from multiple sources, demonstrating broad interest and future viability. Our philanthropy supports 501(c)(3) organizations and institutions working in the City of Philadelphia, and the surrounding counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery, and the City of Camden, New Jersey.
Evaluation Criteria
- Alignment with the Connelly Foundation’s objectives, goals, and fit within one of its four focus areas.
- History and stability of the organization’s executive leadership, board, management, and finances.
- Organization’s track record, prior accomplishments, and unique role in providing service and support to those in need.
- Overall quality of the proposal and the extent to which the organization makes a convincing case that funding will enhance service delivery efficiency and effectiveness for those in need.
- Significance of the problem or need addressed.
- Feasibility of the prepared budget.
Types of support
General Operating
General operating support grants offer unrestricted financial support to an organization to help advance its overall mission.
Program/Project
Program- and project-based grants fund specific initiatives or deliverables within a set timeframe.
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Capital (Renovation and New)
Capital support grants fund the purchase or enhancement of buildings, land, or equipment and are intended for long-term assets.
Ineligible Projects
The Connelly Foundation operates under a mission-driven strategic plan, which guides our grantmaking. Therefore, as a general practice, it is outside our funding scope to provide grants for the following:
- Advocacy
- Annual appeals
- Charter schools, public schools, or programs that operate solely in public and charter schools
- Conferences, events, performances, productions, or documentaries
- Environmental programs
- Endowments
- Feasibility or planning studies
- General solicitations
- Health initiatives, including (but not limited to) support for hospitals, continuing care communities, and health care access, including medical or dental clinics, as well as assistance focused on a single disease or condition.
- Higher education institutions, with limited exceptions
- Historic preservation projects
- Legal services
- National organizations or regranting organizations
- Newly formed organizations with fewer than 3 years in operation
- Hiring new staff who rely primarily on Foundation support, without a clear plan for ongoing sustainability.
Summary of grants 2024
$7,046,267.50 total given to Catholic Education in 2024
$4,585,162.00 total given to Human Services in 2024
$1,503,515.00 total given to Arts & Culture in 2024
$2,265,055.00 total given to Civic Renewal in 2024
OUR FOCUS AREAS
