Faith, Vision, Courage

In 1955 John and Josephine Connelly chose to share their good fortune by establishing the Connelly Foundation with the simple but clear purpose of providing charitable grants to organizations seeking to enhance the quality of life in the Delaware Valley.

John F. Connelly was born in 1905 in a working class neighborhood in North Philadelphia. With little formal education he entered the business world in his mid-teens where his hard work, perseverance and concern for others steadily propelled him to prominence as an industrialist and a philanthropist.

Combining his many talents ranging from sales to strategic planning, in 1945 John Connelly founded Connelly Containers, which became a landmark on the banks of the Schuylkill River. In 1956 he turned his entrepreneurial attention to a larger but struggling company, Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., an international manufacturer of cans, crowns and packaging machinery. Elected Chairman and CEO shortly after joining Crown's board, he rescued the company from imminent bankruptcy and transformed it into an industry leader with operations in forty-two countries. John Connelly's vigorous work ethic and common sense, coupled with his dedication to the common good, defined his legendary success. He died in 1990 but his legacy remains a source of inspiration and guidance.

Josephine C. Connelly's accomplishments, though less widely reported, are of equal significance to the many individuals and organizations which have been touched by her kindness. As co-founder of the Foundation, she succeeded her husband as Chair in 1990.  Her wit, wisdom and creative generosity led to a record decade of giving to her community and to the church. In 1976 Pope Paul VI graciously conferred upon her the pontifical Honor of the Cross, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, for her gifts of both substance and service. Josephine Connelly's life ended at the close of the century, but her loving spirit endures today as a force for good.

After fifty plus years of grantmaking the Connelly Foundation, mindful of its heritage, and inspired by the faith, vision and courage of its founders, renews the commitment to its philanthropic mission today and hopefully for generations to come.