The Alden Charitable Foundation concentrates its support on independent and parochial secondary schools, place-based cultural and preservation organizations (notably on Martha's Vineyard), and youth-development/mentoring programs. Grants skew toward capital or program support for schools and nonprofit cultural institutions, with a mix of multi-year/repeat commitments and smaller event or program gifts across a few geographic hubs (Guilford/New Haven CT, Martha's Vineyard, and select Florida cultural institutions).
Alden Charitable Foundation Inc backs a tight cluster of repeat recipients, with Notre Dame High School alone receiving $100,000 in 2025 after $70,000 in 2024 and $40,000 in 2023. That pattern points to a funder that favors sustained support rather than one-off gifts, especially for independent and Catholic secondary schools. The same approach shows up in other recurring grants: Sacred Heart Academy Inc received $25,000 in 2025 after earlier awards of $25,000 in 2024 and $20,000 in 2023, while Mercy High School also appears more than once in the recent grant list. The foundation also supports place-based cultural and preservation work, including museums, gardens, and local institutions tied to Martha’s Vineyard and Florida. Recent examples include Vizcaya Museum & Gardens Trust Inc and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Inc, both funded for program support, alongside Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs. Youth-serving organizations also appear in the portfolio, including mentoring, child-welfare, and workforce-readiness groups such as Year Up Inc and Prevent Child Abuse America.
Education is a central theme in the foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $100,000 to Notre Dame High School for program support, $30,000 to Brooks-debartolo Collegiate High School, and $15,000 to St Augustine High School Foundation. Other school grants went to Sacred Heart Academy Inc and Mercy High School. Cultural and preservation institutions form another clear lane. The foundation awarded $40,600 to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens Trust Inc and $17,000 to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Inc, both for program support, extending support for Florida cultural and horticultural sites. On Martha’s Vineyard, grants supported community institutions and local programming, including $18,250 to Featherstone Center for the Arts and $7,200 to Martha’s Vineyard Museum Inc. Youth and family services also appear through $10,000 grants to Year Up Inc and Prevent Child Abuse America.
Typical awards cluster at a modest-to-midscale level: p25 is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and p75 is $20,000. The recent record shows repeated support to several recipients across multiple years, including Notre Dame High School, Sacred Heart Academy Inc, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Inc, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens Trust Inc, and Mercy High School. Grants are generally listed as program support, with some project-specific language such as Festival of Laughs. The foundation is led by Brian Alden and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$216K
$6.1M
$5.1M
$3.5M
Most grants fall between $5K and $20K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$20K
About 27% of grants go to recipients in MA.
BRIAN ALDEN
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A mix of concentrated large gifts to a few core institutions (repeat, multi-grant support for certain schools and museums) combined with numerous modest grants for local programs and events; geographically focused rather than nationally broad.
Notable grantees: Notre Dame High School, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens Trust, Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Sacred Heart Academy
Grantmaking is regional and concentrated in the United States, with 27% of grants going to recipients in Connecticut, the foundation’s top giving state. Recent Connecticut recipients include West Haven, Hamden, New Haven, Middletown, and Guilford. Other clusters appear on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, including Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, and Edgartown, plus Florida recipients in Miami and Coral Gables. The recent list also reaches New Orleans, Tampa, Trenton, Chicago, and Boston.
The recent grant list shows a strong emphasis on independent and parochial secondary schools, Martha’s Vineyard community institutions and preservation groups, Florida cultural and botanical sites, and youth-serving organizations such as mentoring, child-welfare, and workforce-readiness nonprofits.
Typical awards are modest to midscale: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $20,000.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Notre Dame High School, Sacred Heart Academy Inc, Mercy High School, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Inc, and Vizcaya Museum & Gardens Trust Inc.
Connecticut is the top state by grant count, and 27% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state. Recent Connecticut recipients include West Haven, Hamden, New Haven, Middletown, and Guilford.
Most recent awards are labeled program support. Examples in the record include schools, museums, gardens, arts organizations, and youth programs, showing a preference for operating or program-level support rather than individuals.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIZCAYA MUSEUM & GARDENS TRUST INC | MIAMI, FL | $59,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YALE NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL | NEW HAVEN, CT | $30,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SACRED HEART ACADEMY INC | HAMDEN, CT | $30,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN INC | CORAL GABLES, FL | $27,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BROOKS-DEBARTOLO COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL | TAMPA, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MARTHAS VINEYARD PRESERVATION TRUST INC | EDGARTOWN, MA | $22,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SAINT MARY'S CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ANDREW LANGSTON CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE | ROCHESTER, NY | $7,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CAPE COD | HYANNIS, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | BBBS OF CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS - BLOOMING BIDS FOR KIDS |
| NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL | WEST HAVEN, CT | $100,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BROOKS-DEBARTOLO COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL | TAMPA, FL | $30,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| VIZCAYA MUSEUM & GARDENS TRUST INC | MIAMI, FL | $29,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SACRED HEART ACADEMY INC | HAMDEN, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YALE NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL | NEW HAVEN, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FEATHERSTONE CENTER FOR THE ARTS | OAK BLUFFS, MA | $18,250 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN INC | CORAL GABLES, FL | $17,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $15,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MERCY HIGH SCHOOL | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MARTHAS VINEYARD MUSEUM INC | VINEYARD HAVEN, MA | $7,200 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ANDREW LANGSTON CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE | ROCHESTER, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | BBBS OF CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS - BLOOMING BIDS FOR KIDS |
| THE NEW HAVEN READS COMMUNITY BOOK BANK INC | NEW HAVEN, CT | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MARTHAS VINEYARD PRESERVATION TRUST INC | EDGARTOWN, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL | WEST HAVEN, CT | $70,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| VIZCAYA MUSEUM & GARDENS TRUST INC | MIAMI, FL | $40,600 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SACRED HEART ACADEMY INC | HAMDEN, CT | $25,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST MARTIN DE PORRES ACADEMY | NEW HAVEN, CT | $20,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ISLAND FOOD PANTRY OF MARTHA'S VINEYARD INC | VINEYARD HAVEN, ME | $15,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT-FESTIVAL OF LAUGHS |
| FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN INC | CORAL GABLES, FL | $15,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MARTHAS VINEYARD BOYS AND GILS CLUB INCORPORATED | EDGARTOWN, MA | $10,000 | 2024 | FESTIVAL OF LAUGHS |
| AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL COLLABORATIVE OF MERCER COUNTY | TRENTON, NJ | $10,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MERCY HIGH SCHOOL | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $10,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AMERICA | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE YOUNG SCHOLARS INSTITUTE INC | TRENTON, NJ | $10,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TIMBUK2 ACADEMY | WEST TRENTON, NJ | $10,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SALI MARTHAS VINEYARD INC | VINEYARD HAVEN, MA | $7,800 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MARTHA'S VINEYARD REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL | OAK BLUFFS, MA | $7,200 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MARTHA'S VINEYARD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY | WEST TISBURY, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS INC | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MARTHAS VINEYARD MUSEUM INC | VINEYARD HAVEN, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MARTHAS VINEYARD PRESERVATION TRUST INC | EDGARTOWN, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL | WEST HAVEN, CT | $40,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SACRED HEART ACADEMY INC | HAMDEN, CT | $20,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST MARTIN DE PORRES ACADEMY | NEW HAVEN, CT | $20,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YEAR UP INC | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN INC | CORAL GABLES, FL | $8,500 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| VIZCAYA MUSEUM & GARDENS TRUST INC | MIAMI, FL | $8,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MARTHAS VINEYARD PRESERVATION TRUST INC | EDGARTOWN, MA | $5,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS | TAMPA, FL | $5,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CORAL GABLES COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | CORAL GABLES, FL | $2,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
SACRED HEART ACADEMY INC
$30,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
BROOKS-DEBARTOLO COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PROGRAM SUPPORT
SAINT MARY'S CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ANDREW LANGSTON CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
$7,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
BBBS OF CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS - BLOOMING BIDS FOR KIDS
NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
$100,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
BROOKS-DEBARTOLO COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL
$30,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SACRED HEART ACADEMY INC
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
FEATHERSTONE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$18,250PROGRAM SUPPORT
ST AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MERCY HIGH SCHOOL
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ANDREW LANGSTON CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
BBBS OF CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS - BLOOMING BIDS FOR KIDS
THE NEW HAVEN READS COMMUNITY BOOK BANK INC
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
$70,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SACRED HEART ACADEMY INC
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ISLAND FOOD PANTRY OF MARTHA'S VINEYARD INC
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT-FESTIVAL OF LAUGHS
MARTHAS VINEYARD BOYS AND GILS CLUB INCORPORATED
$10,000FESTIVAL OF LAUGHS
AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL COLLABORATIVE OF MERCER COUNTY
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MERCY HIGH SCHOOL
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE YOUNG SCHOLARS INSTITUTE INC
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
TIMBUK2 ACADEMY
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SALI MARTHAS VINEYARD INC
$7,800PROGRAM SUPPORT
MARTHA'S VINEYARD REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
$7,200PROGRAM SUPPORT
MARTHA'S VINEYARD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
$40,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SACRED HEART ACADEMY INC
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT