Connelly Foundation was created in 1955 with a $10,000 gift from John Francis Connelly, President of Connelly Containers, “. . . to promote the public welfare. . . to operate exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes. . . and to have perpetual existence.” John Connelly was appointed CEO and Chairman and his wife Josephine O’Neill Connelly became the President.

With additional gifts from the founders the Foundation’s pattern of grantmaking was defined by their faith, vision and courage during its first ten years (1955-1964). A total of 274 grants amounting to $649,373 was awarded to non-profit organizations principally in the Greater Philadelphia area. Major beneficiaries were colleges, universities, hospitals, Catholic churches and religious orders, established cultural and arts organizations, plus Catholic and Jewish charities. This pattern of philanthropy focusing on education, culture, religion, health and human services remained fairly constant over the lifetimes of the founders.

In 1957 John Connelly became the CEO of Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., rescued it from imminent failure and launched its legendary ascent to worldwide dominance among its peers. As Crown’s stock grew in value, John and Josephine’s contributions to their Foundation increased apace, as did the Foundation’s annual grants. In 1973 John Connelly expressed his feelings about philanthropy in this brief letter to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees:

“I just sit in awe about how much has been given and thank God every minute of the day for the privilege of being able to help all these people.”

The first chapter of the Foundation’s history came to a close with the death of John Connelly in 1990. By this time the Foundation’s assets had passed through the $200,000,000 mark. A grand sum of 4,843 grants totaling almost $70 million had been given to worthy organizations. In keeping with her husband's wishes, Josephine Connelly assumed the Chair and shared the mantle of leadership with her children serving as trustees. Two of her daughters were elected Foundation officers, Josephine Connelly Mandeville as President and Emily Connelly Riley as Executive Vice President. The Foundation’s office was moved from Crown Cork & Seal’s headquarters in northeast Philadelphia to accommodations in West Conshohocken.

Creative new ideas for targeted philanthropy were generated as additions to the traditional pattern of responsive grantmaking characteristic of the Foundation’s first 35 years. Recognizing that rising costs and declining enrollments posed a growing threat to parochial education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Foundation’s “second generation” leadership introduced a four-year, $3,750,000 pilot program providing tuition assistance and faculty professional development which later evolved into the following five Initiatives:

• The Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Awards Progam (1994 - ). An annual program that provides tuition support for approximately 130 students selected by parish committees to attend any archdiocesan high school.
• Neumann Scholars Program (1995 - ). An annual program that provides four year scholarships for academically accomplished students to attend any archdiocesan high school.
• Connelly Access Program “CAP” (1995 - ). Arts and culture program that annually enables 5,000 students and teachers in Catholic elementary schools to enjoy outstanding programming presented by selected area organizations.
• Proficiency and Access to Computer Technology “PACT” (1996 - ). A collaborative undertaking that integrates emerging technology with the educational process in Catholic elementary schools.
• Idea Incubator (2003 - ). Opportunity presented to teachers and administrators to develop innovative educational concepts.

Approximately one quarter of the Connelly Foundation’s annual grants budget of roughly $10,000,000 is now devoted to its Initiatives and the rest is allocated to responsive grantmaking. At the time of its 50th anniversary in 2005 when total giving had reached the $300,000,000 milestone, the trustees proudly reaffirmed the Connelly Foundation’s mission statement: Connelly Foundation seeks to foster learning and improve the quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia area.