Improving and enhancing the community by providing grants and other resources to nonprofit organizations serving Middlesex County, Connecticut.
Focus Areas
Community enrichment: arts, culture, and historyCommunity health: health, medical, and hospital careEconomic security and economic opportunityEconomic developmentEducationEnvironment and animal welfare and protectionPublic and social benefitRecreationWomen and girlsAt-risk boys and young menSeniors and veteransAnimal and human resources and welfareVeterans and older adults
About Community Foundation of Middlesex County
A defining feature of Community Foundation of Middlesex County Inc is its recurring support for food access, with multiple Thanksgiving drive grants to Connecticut nonprofits and churches alongside larger general-support awards. The foundation’s recent giving also shows a steady commitment to conservation and local community institutions, including repeated support for The Nature Conservancy, Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, and other Middlesex County organizations.
Across the recent grants list, its grants range from broad operating support to targeted seasonal giving. Connecticut Foodshare Inc received both general support and Thanksgiving drive funding, while House of Bread Inc and Healing Meals Community Project were also funded in both regular and holiday-specific cycles. The foundation’s portfolio includes schools, faith-based organizations, community services, and environmental groups, indicating a local grantmaker that uses several grant types rather than one narrow vehicle.
The foundation’s mission, as stated, is to improve the quality of life for the people of Middlesex County now and in the future by developing endowments, making grants that have impact, and assisting donors in meeting their philanthropic objectives.
What Community Foundation of Middlesex County Funds
Food insecurity is a visible theme. Community Foundation of Middlesex County Inc gave $106,250 to Connecticut Foodshare Inc for general support and $82,521 for a Thanksgiving drive, while also supporting House of Bread Inc and Healing Meals Community Project through holiday food distribution grants.
Education is another regular area. Middletown Public Schools received general support, and St John Paul II Regional School received educational assistance grants in multiple years. The grant list also includes support connected to students and youth through school programming and education awards.
Environmental conservation appears through the Janvrin Fund structure and through recent support for The Nature Conservancy. The foundation also funds recreation and community well-being, including a $150,000 general-support grant to Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
Community services and civic life show up in grants to local organizations such as Madison Community Services Inc, East Hampton Volunteer Food and Fuel, and Meriden Rotary Club for Thanksgiving drive support.
How Community Foundation of Middlesex County Gives
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$1.2M
Total Assets
$41.3M
Total Revenue
$5.5M
Total Expenses
$3M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $38K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$38K
Geographic Reach
Local8 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
CYNTHIA CLEGG
Accepts unsolicited proposals
Deep Analysis
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food-insecure households / community members (Thanksgiving drive beneficiaries)students and youth (school programs, camp scholarships, education awards)seniors (senior education)local communities served by environmental conservationfirst-responder organizations (fire department)general nonprofit organizations (recipients of general/operational support)
Funding Style
general operating supportoperational support (restricted)project-specific grantscapacity-building (program access/scholarships)capital/asset funding (land purchase)
Topics
holiday food drives / emergency food distributiongeneral nonprofit operational fundingenvironmental conservation (land purchase, wetlands, shoreline)education support (scholarships, educational awards, school programs, summer camperships)youth and senior programmingdisaster relief and emergency services supporthealth services access (dental clinic)
Typical grant size clusters around a median of $15,000, with the 25th percentile at $9,922 and the 75th percentile at $37,980. The recent grants list shows many awards above that median, including repeated six-figure gifts and a substantial number of smaller community grants.
This is a community foundation, classified as a mixed DAF structure, and it gives through both open and invitation-only channels. Several programs accept unsolicited applications, while Special Requests are invitation-only and require staff review and Board approval. The same organizations can appear in multiple years, which suggests recurring relationships rather than one-time awards.
Where Community Foundation of Middlesex County Makes Grants
Giving is highly concentrated in Connecticut: 91% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Middlesex County communities appear often, including Middletown, Madison, East Hampton, and Meriden. The list also includes other Connecticut cities such as Wallingford, New Haven, Bloomfield, Hartford, Norwalk, Plainville, Southington, Plantsville, Manchester, and Clinton. Outside the state, the grant-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
Frequently Asked Questions About Community Foundation of Middlesex County
What kinds of organizations does the foundation fund most often?
The recent grants show support for food access organizations, schools, community service groups, environmental nonprofits, churches, and local civic organizations. Examples include grants for Thanksgiving drives, general operating support, educational assistance, and conservation-related funding through the Janvrin Fund.
Does the foundation support environmental conservation?
Yes. The funder has a Janvrin Fund stream for land acquisition and conservation easements, and recent grantmaking includes support for The Nature Conservancy and Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. The program descriptions also reference habitat protection, land stewardship, and ecological benefits.
Are grants usually one-time or recurring?
Recurring support is visible in the grant list. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Connecticut Foodshare Inc, The Nature Conservancy, Madison Community Services Inc, House of Bread Inc, Healing Meals Community Project, and St John Roman Catholic Church.
What is the typical grant size?
The grant-size distribution centers at $15,000 median, with a 25th percentile of $9,922 and a 75th percentile of $37,980. Recent awards include both smaller community grants and larger six-figure grants, so the foundation uses a wide range of award sizes.
Can nonprofits apply directly for funding?
Yes for several programs. The Competitive Grants program accepts unsolicited applications, the Janvrin Fund has its own application path, and Pop-Up Grants also accept unsolicited requests. By contrast, Special Requests are invitation-only and begin with CFMC staff.
Latest 990 Filing
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Community Foundation of Middlesex County that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowCloses in 4 days (Oct 1, 2026)Award: Up to $15K
Janvrin Fund (CFMC)
Environmental conservationLand and water stewardshipWildlife habitat protection+4 more
Who can apply: Programs, projects, or services must directly impact Middlesex County and meet the purpose of the Janvrin Fund. Organizations of all types may apply, not only traditional environmental organizations. Programs benefiting any of the 15 Middlesex County towns are eligible. Collaborative, regional, solution-oriented programs with measurable outcomes and partnerships are encouraged. Land acquisition is not currently funded. Applicants with prior awards must submit an interim or final evaluation by September 30, 2026.
Deadline: Fall 2026 applications are due October 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM as part of the CFMC Fall 2026 competitive cycle. The foundation also lists a Spring 2027 cycle due April 1, 2027 at 4:00 PM.
Open nowCloses in 4 days (Oct 1, 2026)Award: $500 – $5K
Competitive Grants (General Grants Program)
Community Enrichment (Arts/Culture/History)Community Health (Health/Medical/Hospital Care)Economic Security/Economic Opportunity+8 more
Who can apply: Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or 170(c)(1) governmental entities that directly serve one or more towns in Middlesex County, Connecticut. Applicants must be current on evaluations for previous CFMC competitive grants. Organizations generally may submit one application per grant calendar year as the primary applicant. Funding must support services, programs, or projects occurring in the applicable funding year and cannot be used retroactively. Applicants must attend a CFMC information session; organizations without tax-exempt status may need an eligible tax-exempt fiduciary agent. CFMC does not fund individuals, debt repayment, capital improvements, endowments, annual fundraising, political or religious purposes, regranting, or other excluded activities.
Open nowCloses in 4 days (Oct 1, 2026)Award: $500 – $5K
Competitive Grants — General Application
Community enrichment (arts, culture, history)Community healthEconomic security and opportunity+8 more
Who can apply: Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or 170(c)(1) governmental entities and directly serve one or more towns in Middlesex County, Connecticut. Applicants must be current on grant evaluations for previous CFMC competitive grants. Schools, healthcare organizations, government entities, fiscal-sponsored groups, faith-based organizations, and collaborations generally apply for budget-enhancing project support. Organizations are generally limited to one application per grant calendar year as the primary applicant. Grants cannot fund individuals, debt, capital improvements, endowments, fundraising campaigns, regranting, political purposes, or retroactive activities.
Deadline: Fall 2026 applications are due October 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM. Spring 2027 applications are due April 1, 2027 at 4:00 PM. The competitive process recurs in fall and spring cycles.
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Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Deadline: Fall 2026 submission deadline: October 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM. Spring 2027 submission deadline: April 1, 2027 at 4:00 PM. Fall and spring cycles are offered annually.
