Q. Does the Foundation ever fund outside its geographic area?
A. The Foundation's philanthropic interest is to work in partnership with non-profit organizations situated within and serving people residing in Philadelphia, its surrounding counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery, and the City of Camden, New Jersey. In 2007, 98% of our funding was concentrated within this geographic area. Occasionally grants are made outside the Greater Philadelphia region primarily to organizations which had a direct relationship with the founders, John and Josephine Connelly.
Q. May I send a letter of inquiry with a brief project description for your consideration or discuss my proposal with someone prior to submission?
A. The Foundation believes that all parties benefit from a process that begins with the written proposal as the starting point of the discussion, and therefore earlier communication is discouraged.
Q. What grant amount (or grant range) do you suggest we request?
A. The Foundation relies on the organization submitting the grant request to calculate the resources needed and the amount to be requested from the Foundation. It may be helpful to review the Grants database to get an idea of the grant amounts that the Foundation has previously funded.
Q. Can we ask for a multi-year grant?
A. Yes.
Q. Can we use the Delaware Valley Grantmakers (DVG) common application form when we submit a proposal?
A. Yes, but please compare the DVG application form with the Connelly Foundation Proposal Guidelines and be sure to include the additional items requested by the Connelly Foundation.
Q. With whom should I speak to determine the status of my proposal?
A. The assigned Program Officer will be happy to discuss the status with you. Please contact the Foundation offices to identify the Program Officer who is reviewing your proposal.
Q. If my organization receives a grant, how long do we need to wait until we reapply?
A. An organization must wait a full year from the award date of the grant check or the final pledge payment.
Q. If our proposal is declined, how long do we need to wait to reapply?
A. There is no set amount of time.
Q. My son/daughter needs funds for a high school/college scholarship. Does your foundation give grants for this? How can I find out about foundations or other sources that do offer support for education grants?
A. Connelly Foundation is precluded from giving grants directly to individuals. A good source to check for appropriate information is the Regional Foundation Center at the Free Library of Philadelphia – 1901 Vine Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103. For information on the Connelly Foundation’s programs with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to support scholarships to Archdiocesan high schools, please see the Initiatives section of our website, specifically the Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Awards Program and the Neumann Scholars Program.
Q. To whom should I speak with regarding the Foundation’s scholarship programs – Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Awards and Neumann Scholars?
A. The Foundation has two persons on staff who direct these scholarship programs. Sister Maureen MacElderry, SSJ, is responsible for the Neumann Scholars Program and Anne Murry Hileman coordinates the Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Awards Program.