Half Moon Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Half Moon Foundation is a private foundation in New Canaan, Connecticut. In tax year 2025 it gave $315,500 in 41 grants; the typical grant was $3,000 and the largest $102,000. 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$315,500
- Number of grants41
- Typical grant$3,000
- Largest grant$102,000
- Assets$2.1 million
- New grantees7%
Giving in 2025 was down from $338,920 the year before.
7% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $269,000 | 40 | $1.6 million |
| 2024 | $338,920 | 42 | $1.7 million |
| 2025 | $315,500 | 41 | $2.1 million |
How to apply
Half Moon 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 Half Moon Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 10 states, the most to Connecticut.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 16 | $213,000 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $40,500 |
| Illinois | 5 | $21,000 |
| Maine | 8 | $16,000 |
| California | 1 | $7,000 |
| Montana | 1 | $5,000 |
| Wyoming | 1 | $5,000 |
| New York | 2 | $4,000 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $2,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $2,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New Canaan Library | Education | $102,000 |
| Stepping Stones Museum | Arts/Humanities | $36,000 |
| McLean Hospital | Medical | $20,000 |
| Stamford Hospital Foundation | Medical | $20,000 |
| Americares | Social welfare | $15,000 |
| Williams College | Education | $15,000 |
| Nature Conservancy | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Congregational Church of New Canaan | Religious | $10,000 |
| SquashBridge | Charitable | $10,000 |
| New Canaan Mounted Troop Inc | Education | $7,000 |
| New Canaan Country School | Education | $6,000 |
| Friends of Acadia | Charitable | $6,000 |
| Brain Chemistry Labs | Medical | $5,000 |
| Lcyc Csef | Charitable | $5,000 |
| National Louis University | Education | $5,000 |
| The First Tee | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Dana-Farber Caner Institute | Charitable | $5,000 |
| National Forest Foundation | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Millbrook School | Education | $3,000 |
| New Canaan Nature Center | Education | $3,000 |
| New Canaan Land Trust | Charitable | $3,000 |
| Foxcroft School | Education | $2,000 |
| Food Rescue US | Charitable | $2,000 |
| Horizons Student Enrichment Program | Education | $1,500 |
| Atlantic Salmon Federation | Arts/humanities | $1,000 |
| Bob Woodruff Foundation | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Mt Desert Island Hospital | Medical | $1,000 |
| Waveny Care Center | Medical | $1,000 |
| Waveny Park Conservancy | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Islesford Volunteer Fire Department | Charitable | $1,000 |
| The Duncan Louis Stewart Foundation | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Cable Natural History Museum | Charitable | $1,000 |
| The Ecology School | Education | $1,000 |
| New Canaan Community Foundation | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Voices Center for Resilience | Charitable | $1,000 |
| University of Chicago Business School | Education | $500 |
| North Shore Country Day School | Education | $500 |
| Milton Academy | Education | $500 |
| Islesford Neighborhood | Charitable | $500 |
| Fairfield County's Community Foundation | Charitable | $500 |
Officers and trustees
- Tracy L Merrill
- Joseph W Merrill
- Oliver Merrill
Questions people ask
Does Half Moon Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Half Moon Foundation give?
$315,500 in tax year 2025, across 41 grants, with a typical grant of $3,000.
Who runs Half Moon Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Tracy L Merrill (President/Dir.), Joseph W Merrill (Vice-Pres/Dir.) and Oliver Merrill (Secretary/Treas/Dir.).
What does Half Moon Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, health and arts and culture.