Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundation
Invitation OnlyWest Hartford, Connecticut · EIN 26-2341663 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$168K
Organizations funded20
Typical grant$7,500
Total assets$3.7M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $7,500 and $10,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2025 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
75% of grants went outside Connecticut.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classical Uprising | Portland, ME | Current use for charitable purposes | $20,000 |
| Care | Atlanta, GA | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders USA Inc | New York, NY | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Droplets of Mercy USA Inc | Mclean, VA | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Heal Palestine Inc | Kent, OH | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Red Bull Theater | New York, NY | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| The Blue Door Foundation | Niantic, CT | Current use for charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Congregation (Muusic 4 Uu) | Peterborough, NH | Current use for charitable purposes | $9,000 |
| Pat Macs Pack Inc | Chicago, IL | Current use for charitable purposes | $8,000 |
| Broken Souls Rescue and Recovery Inc | Staten Island, NY | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| Covenant Soup Kitchen | Willimantic, CT | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| Flying Gravity Circus | Wilton, NH | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| Harris Center for Conservation Education Inc | Hancock, NH | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| House of Bread Inc | Hartford, CT | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford | Hartford, CT | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| Peterborough Food Pantry (Peterborough Area Community Aid) | Peterborough, NH | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,500 |
| Simbas Pride | Morrison, CO | Current use for charitable purposes | $7,000 |
| Riley Farm Rescue Inc | Brooklyn, CT | Current use for charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Keene Chamber Orchestra Inc | Keene, NH | Current use for charitable purposes | $4,000 |
| Aclu Foundation Inc | New York, NY | Current use for charitable purposes | $2,500 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $168,000 | 20 |
| 2024 | $134,000 | 14 |
| 2023 | $135,000 | 11 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 13, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202621339349103817
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 26-2341663
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.