Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation is a private foundation in West Hartford, Connecticut. In tax year 2025 it gave $168,000 in 20 grants; the typical grant was $7,500 and the largest $20,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$168,000
- Number of grants20
- Typical grant$7,500
- Largest grant$20,000
- Assets$3.7 million
- New grantees75%
Giving in 2025 was up from $134,000 the year before.
75% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $135,000 | 11 | $3.3 million |
| 2024 | $134,000 | 14 | $3.4 million |
| 2025 | $168,000 | 20 | $3.7 million |
How to apply
Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 9 states, the most to Connecticut.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 5 | $37,500 |
| New Hampshire | 5 | $35,500 |
| New York | 4 | $30,000 |
| Maine | 1 | $20,000 |
| Georgia | 1 | $10,000 |
| Ohio | 1 | $10,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $10,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $8,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $7,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Classical Uprising | Current use for charitable purposes | $20,000 |
| Care | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders USA Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Droplets of Mercy USA Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Heal Palestine Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Red Bull Theater | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| The Blue Door Foundation | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Congregation (Muusic 4 Uu) | Current use for charitable purposes | $9,000 |
| Pat Macs Pack Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $8,000 |
| Broken Souls Rescue and Recovery Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| Covenant Soup Kitchen | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| Flying Gravity Circus | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| Harris Center for Conservation Education Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| House of Bread Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| Peterborough Food Pantry (Peterborough Area Community Aid) | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| Simbas Pride | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,000 |
| Riley Farm Rescue Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Keene Chamber Orchestra Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $4,000 |
| ACLU Foundation Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $2,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Therese Davidson
- Chase Wilson Roeper
- Ned Manuel
Questions people ask
Does Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation give?
$168,000 in tax year 2025, across 20 grants, with a typical grant of $7,500.
Who runs Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Therese Davidson (Trustee), Chase Wilson Roeper (Trustee) and Ned Manuel (Trustee).
What does Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, food and hunger and arts and culture.