Cornelia And Michael Bessie Foundation | Foundation Profile

GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like Cornelia And Michael Bessie Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.

EIN: 26-2341663

Foundation Overview

Based in West Hartford, CT, Cornelia And Michael Bessie Foundation has awarded 114 grants totaling $1,401,342 to organizations in Connecticut, Georgia and 11 other states across the US. Individual grants range from $1,000 to $30,000, with a median award of $10,000.

Latest Tax Year
2023
Total Giving (all years)
$1,401,342
Total Assets
$3,299,247
Median Grant (all grants)
$10,000

Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot

Total Grants
22
Median Grant
$10,000
% No Significant Change
0% (vs previous year)
Data extracted from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Last filing year: February 2026

Foundation Intelligence

Advanced analytics and strategic insights to help nonprofit organizations assess grant opportunities and optimize their application strategies

New Applicant Friendliness
Balanced Approach: 45%

10 of 22 recipients (45%) were new grantees. Foundation maintains loyal partnerships while remaining open to qualified new applicants with strong proposals.

Geographic Focus
Connecticut

Grants are geographically diversified with 34% in Connecticut and funding distributed across 13 total locations. This foundation values broad geographic impact and diverse community partnerships. Within Connecticut, funding concentrates in East Haddam (18%), Brooklyn (13%), New Haven (10%).

Funding Trajectory
-22%

Declining funding trend with 22% decrease over 7 years may indicate reduced grant opportunities or shifting foundation priorities. This trajectory suggests more competitive application environment.

Program Areas
General Purposes

Highly focused on general purposes with 100% of funding dedicated to this sector. This specialization indicates deep expertise and committed investment in the field.

Where is The Money Going?

Loading geographic data...
Loading chart...
Loading chart...
Loading chart...

Grants & Funding

Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into Cornelia And Michael Bessie Foundation's funding preferences, organizational priorities, and grant making patterns. This historical data helps potential applicants understand the foundation's strategic focus and identify successful funding approaches.

Name Amount Location Purpose Year
Classical Uprising $20,000 Portland, ME, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Flying Gravity Circus $21,000 Wilton, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Harris Center For Conservation Education Inc $20,000 Hancock, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Inara $10,000 New York, NY, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Keene Chamber Orchestra Inc $1,000 Keene, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Leeway $10,000 New Haven, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Nuday $20,000 Windham, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Pat Macs Pack Inc $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Congregation $3,000 Peterborough, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Riley Farm Rescue Inc $10,000 Brooklyn, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
World Poetry Books $10,000 New York, NY, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Classical Uprising $20,000 Portland, ME, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Flying Gravity Circus $21,000 Wilton, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Harris Center For Conservation Education Inc $20,000 Hancock, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Inara $10,000 New York, NY, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Keene Chamber Orchestra Inc $1,000 Keene, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Leeway $10,000 New Haven, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Nuday $20,000 Windham, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Pat Macs Pack Inc $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Congregation $3,000 Peterborough, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
Riley Farm Rescue Inc $10,000 Brooklyn, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
World Poetry Books $10,000 New York, NY, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2023
A Little Compassion Inc $15,000 Deep River, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Care $10,000 Atlanta, GA, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Caring Cupboard Inc (open Cupboard) $10,000 Palmyra, PA, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Cat Tails Inc $5,000 Crofton, MD, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Classical Uprising $10,000 Portland, ME, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Flying Gravity Circus $10,000 Wilton, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Harris Center For Conservation Education Inc $1,200 Hancock, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
National Association Of Police Athletic Leagues Inc (hpal Division) $15,000 Charlotte, NC, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Nuday $10,000 Windham, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Peterborough Folk Music Society $10,000 Peterborough, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Ray Of Light Farm Inc $10,000 East Haddam, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Riley Farm Rescue Inc $10,000 Brooklyn, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Rochester Community Care Home Inc $15,000 Rochester, VT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
The Front Door Agency $10,000 Nashua, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
United States Association For Unhcr $10,000 Washington, DC, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
World Central Kitchen Inc $10,000 Washington, DC, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
A Little Compassion Inc $15,000 Deep River, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Care $10,000 Atlanta, GA, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Caring Cupboard Inc (Open Cupboard) $10,000 Palmyra, PA, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Cat Tails Inc $5,000 Crofton, MD, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Classical Uprising $10,000 Portland, ME, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Flying Gravity Circus $10,000 Wilton, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Harris Center For Conservation Education Inc $1,200 Hancock, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
National Association Of Police Athletic Leagues Inc (Hpal Division) $15,000 Charlotte, NC, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Nuday $10,000 Windham, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Peterborough Folk Music Society $10,000 Peterborough, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Ray Of Light Farm Inc $10,000 East Haddam, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Riley Farm Rescue Inc $10,000 Brooklyn, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Rochester Community Care Home Inc $15,000 Rochester, VT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
The Front Door Agency $10,000 Nashua, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
United States Association For Unhcr $10,000 Washington, DC, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
World Central Kitchen Inc $10,000 Washington, DC, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2022
Archipelago Books Inc $15,000 Brooklyn, NY, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2021
Digs With Dignity Corporation $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2021
Flying Gravity Circus $15,000 Wilton, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2021
Grand Monadnock Youth Choirs $15,000 Peterborough, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2021
Harris Center For Conservation Education Inc $15,000 Hancock, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2021
Pentacle Theatre Inc $10,000 Salem, OR, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2021
Ray Of Light Farm Inc $10,000 East Haddam, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2021
Reach Prep Inc $10,000 Stamford, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2021
Riley Farm Rescue Inc $10,000 Brooklyn, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2021
The Public Theater (new York Shakespeare Festival) $20,000 New York, NY, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2021
Camp Hazen Ymca Inc $10,000 Chester, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
Cat Tails Inc $10,000 Crofton, MD, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
Flying Gravity Circus $15,000 Wilton, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
Classical Uprising $30,000 Portland, ME, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
Entertainment Industry Foundation $10,000 Los Angeles, CA, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
Green Mountain Horse Association Inc $20,000 South Woodstock, VT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
Greenwave Organization Corp $10,000 New Haven, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
Ten Directions Inc (guest House Retreat & Co) $10,000 Chester, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
Keeping Track Inc $20,000 Richmond, VT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
Pat Macs Pack Inc $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
Portland Conservatory Of Music $8,942 Portland, ME, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
Recovery Yoga Inc $10,000 New London, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
St Vincent Depaul Middletown $20,000 Middletown, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
Harris Center For Conservation Education Inc $20,000 Hancock, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
Monadnock Summer Lyceum $15,000 Peterborough, NH, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
The Public Theater (new York Shakespeare Festival) $15,000 New York, NY, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
Ugly Duckling Presse Ltd $10,000 Brooklyn, NY, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
Visiting Nurse Association Of Southeastern Connecticut Inc $12,000 Waterford, CT, US Current Use For Charitable Purposes 2020
Pat Mac's Pack $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2018
Ray Of Light Farm $20,000 East Haddam, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2018
Valley Shore Animal Welfare $10,000 Westbrook, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2018
Words Without Borders $5,000 New York, NY, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2018
Mongolian Bankhar Dog Project $20,000 East Haddam, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2018
Connecticut Humane Society $10,000 Newington, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipientcharitable Purpose Of Recipient 2018
City Seed Inc $25,000 New Haven, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2017
Lysb $10,000 Old Lyme, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2017
Pentacle Dance Works Inc $10,000 New York, NY, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2017
Poet's House $5,000 New York, NY, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2017
Ray Of Light Farm $10,000 East Haddam, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2017
Shoreline Soup Kitchen $10,000 Old Saybrook, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2017
Valley Shore Animal Welfare $10,000 Westbrook, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2017
Grand Monadnock Youth Choir $10,000 Peterbourough, NH, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2017
Pat Mac's Pack $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2017
Hartbeat Ensemble $10,000 Hartford, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2017
United Way Of Southeastern Connecticut Inc $10,000 Gales Ferry, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2017
The New London Community Meal Center Inc $10,000 New London, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2017
Wshu $10,000 Fairfield, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2017
Gramean Foundation $20,000 Washington, DC, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2017
Start Fresh Inc $20,000 New London, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2017
Pentacle Dance Works Inc $20,000 New York, NY, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2016
Words Without Borders $20,000 New York, NY, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2016
Poet's House $10,000 New York, NY, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2016
Storycorps $10,000 Brooklyn, NY, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2016
First Congregational Church $5,000 Old Lyme, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2016
Global Links $25,000 Pittsburgh, PA, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipientcharitable Purpose Of Recipient 2016
Lysb $30,000 Old Lyme, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2016
Valley Shore Animal Welfare $10,000 Westbrook, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2016
Shoreline Soup Kitchen $15,000 Old Saybrook, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2016
Wpkt-wpnr $10,000 Hartford, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2016
Ray Of Light Farm $18,000 East Haddam, CT, US Charitable Purpose Of Recipient 2016

Foundations Similar to Cornelia And Michael Bessie Foundation

Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($3,248,074-$3,273,709), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in CT that may also align with your organization's funding needs and grant seeking strategy.

Foundation Name Total Assets Typical Grant Size Service Area Similarity Match

EIN: 31-1794110 | 138 grants awarded
$3,273,709
(≈ Similar)
$10,000
median grant
West Hartford, CT
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 20-3538795 | 73 grants awarded
$3,272,811
(≈ Similar)
$20,000
median grant
Greenwich, CT
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 06-1619225 | 152 grants awarded
$3,272,620
(≈ Similar)
$5,000
median grant
New Milford, CT
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 84-3241653 | 11 grants awarded
$3,261,382
(≈ Similar)
$5,000
median grant
Riverside, CT
Same state
99%
Excellent match

EIN: 23-7418806 | 43 grants awarded
$3,248,074
(≈ Similar)
$5,000
median grant
New Milford, CT
Same state
99%
Excellent match

Contact Information

Official contact details for Cornelia And Michael Bessie Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.

EIN 26-2341663
Website N/A
Address CO 75 ISHAM ROAD 400 West Hartford, CT 06107-0000

Key People (2)

Board members, trustees, and key staff who oversee Cornelia And Michael Bessie Foundation's grant making decisions and strategic direction. Understanding leadership composition can provide insights into foundation priorities and potential networking opportunities.

Trustee Therese Davidson
Trustee Chase Wilson Roeper

Forms 990-PF

IRS Form 990-PF filings provide comprehensive financial information, grant details, and operational data. These documents are essential resources for understanding foundation capacity, giving patterns, and strategic priorities.

Form 990-PF Research Tips
  • Review Part XV for detailed grant recipient information and funding purposes
  • Check Part I for total assets, annual giving amounts, and payout requirements
  • Examine Part VIII for key personnel compensation and board structure
  • Look for trends across multiple years to understand giving patterns

About This Foundation Profile

This comprehensive foundation profile for Cornelia And Michael Bessie Foundation is powered by Grant Bay's advanced foundation research platform. Our system analyzes IRS Form 990-PF filings, grant histories, and philanthropic patterns to provide nonprofit organizations with actionable intelligence for grant seeking success.

Data Sources & Accuracy

All information is derived from official IRS filings and public records. Grant Bay processes thousands of Form 990-PF documents to extract grant details, financial data, and organizational information. Data accuracy depends on foundation reporting quality and IRS filing completeness.

Research Applications

Use this profile for prospect research, grant strategy development, application preparation, and relationship building. Combine this data with additional research on foundation priorities, application processes, and board member backgrounds for comprehensive grant seeking strategies.

Data Currency: Last updated February 2026 based on IRS Form 990-PF filings. Foundation information reflects most recent available tax year data.