Cornelia Bessie Memorial Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Cornelia Bessie Memorial Foundation is a private foundation in West Hartford, Connecticut. In tax year 2025 it gave $286,800 in 30 grants; the typical grant was $9,500 and the largest $25,000. 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$286,800
- Number of grants30
- Typical grant$9,500
- Largest grant$25,000
- Assets$6.3 million
- New grantees53%
Giving in 2025 was down from $340,100 the year before.
53% 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 | $324,000 | 27 | $6.0 million |
| 2024 | $340,100 | 29 | $5.9 million |
| 2025 | $286,800 | 30 | $6.3 million |
How to apply
Cornelia Bessie Memorial 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 Bessie Memorial Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 11 states, the most to Connecticut.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 8 | $100,000 |
| New Hampshire | 7 | $57,200 |
| New York | 6 | $42,000 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $22,500 |
| Georgia | 1 | $15,000 |
| Maine | 1 | $12,600 |
| North Carolina | 1 | $10,000 |
| Ohio | 1 | $10,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $7,500 |
| California | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Friends of the Lymes Senior Center Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $25,000 |
| Valley Shore YMCA Westbrook | Current use for charitable purposes | $20,000 |
| Care | Current use for charitable purposes | $15,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders USA Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $15,000 |
| World Central Kitchen | Current use for charitable purposes | $15,000 |
| Zara Manzur Foundation | Current use for charitable purposes | $15,000 |
| Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Congregation (Puuc) | Current use for charitable purposes | $13,000 |
| Classical Uprising | Current use for charitable purposes | $12,600 |
| Equality Health Center | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| House of Bread | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Leeway Foundation Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Peterborough Folk Music Society | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Ray of Light Farm Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Tri Town Youth Services Bureau Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Woodshed Arts | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Harris Center for Conservation Education Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $9,000 |
| Common Cause Education Fund | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| Food Bank for New York City | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| New England Musicians Resource Fund | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| Peterborough Human Services Fund (Aka Peterborough Food Pantry) | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| Words Without Borders | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| Apocalyptic Artists Ensemble | Current use for charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Chester Community Coalition | Current use for charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Community Music Center | Current use for charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Hartford Interval House Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Hunts Point Alliance for Children | Current use for charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Keene Chamber Orchestra Inc | Current use for charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford | Current use for charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Flying Gravity Circus | Current use for charitable purposes | $2,700 |
| Festival Celebration Choir Inc (FCC) | Current use for charitable purposes | $2,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Therese Davidson
- Chase Wilson Roeper
- Ned Manuel
Questions people ask
Does Cornelia Bessie Memorial Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Cornelia Bessie Memorial Foundation give?
$286,800 in tax year 2025, across 30 grants, with a typical grant of $9,500.
Who runs Cornelia Bessie Memorial Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Therese Davidson (Trustee), Chase Wilson Roeper (Trustee) and Ned Manuel (Trustee).
What does Cornelia Bessie Memorial Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and food and hunger.