The Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Memorial Charitable Trust concentrates its giving on Greater Hartford youth and family services, local K–12 and afterschool programs, and arts & cultural education. Grants frequently support operational needs and scholarships/financial aid (including college and camp support), with an emphasis on repeat, multi-year support to community nonprofits and school-based programs. The foundation favors well-established local partners that deliver direct services to children, teens, and families, and also funds arts organizations that provide educational programming. Its giving pattern suggests a hands-on local philanthropy focused on access, enrichment, and stable core funding for trusted grantees.
A recurring $25,000 grant to The Bridge Family Center Inc marks The Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Memorial Charitable Trust’s local style of philanthropy: steady support for Greater Hartford organizations that serve children, teens, and families. The trust gives mainly in Connecticut and pairs operational support with scholarships, school-based programming, and arts education. Recent grants also show multi-year commitments to groups such as Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford Inc, Grace Academy, and Healing Meals Community Project, indicating that the trust returns to trusted partners over time rather than moving broadly across causes. The foundation’s giving is rooted in direct service. It funds family and child services, after-school enrichment, and school programs that reach students in Hartford, West Hartford, and nearby communities. Financial aid appears alongside program support, with grants for college scholarships, camperships, and educational access. Arts and cultural organizations also appear regularly, especially where they provide instruction or school-linked programming. The trust’s pattern is consistent with a hands-on local funder that backs established nonprofits delivering practical support and enrichment to children and families.
Family and child services are a clear priority. The trust gave $25,000 to The Bridge Family Center Inc for unrestricted operational support and $10,000 to Healing Meals Community Project for unrestricted operational support, reflecting interest in organizations that provide direct services and core operating help. Education funding appears in several forms. It awarded $16,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford Inc for an educational program and $10,000 to Hartford Youth Scholars for an educational program. It also supported Grace Academy with $10,000 for financial aid scholarship donation in 2025. Arts and school enrichment are another strand. The trust gave $20,000 to Bushnell Center for unrestricted operational support and $10,000 to Hartford Stage Company for an educational program. School-linked arts support also appears through Hall High School grants for educational and music programs.
Typical grants fall in a narrow band: the 25th percentile is $3,000, the median is $4,000, and the 75th percentile is $6,000. That puts many awards at modest, repeatable levels, even though the trust also makes larger anchor grants. The recent record shows recurring support to the same organizations across multiple years, including The Bridge Family Center Inc, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford Inc, Hall High School, Grace Academy, Healing Meals Community Project, and Connecticut Radio Information System Inc. The trust also funds individuals through scholarships and financial aid donations, and it does not make program-related investments. The pattern is direct grantmaking rather than a more complex funding structure.
$391K
$1.6M
$201K
$407K
Most grants fall between $3K and $6K, with a median of $4K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$4K
75th Percentile
$6K
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Moderately distributed but relationship-driven: many mid-sized grants ($10k–$65k) with multiple repeat awards to the same local organizations, prioritizing unrestricted/operational support and scholarships over single-project funding.
Notable grantees: The Bridge Family Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, Grace Academy, Hartford Youth Scholars, The Cove Center for Grieving Children
Giving is overwhelmingly concentrated in Connecticut, which accounts for 86% of grants, and the recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Among recipient cities, Hartford and West Hartford appear most often, with additional grants to Bloomfield, Windsor, and Storrs. The trust’s local scope is consistent with a Greater Hartford pattern rather than a national or multi-state portfolio.
It most often funds local nonprofits and schools serving children, teens, and families in Greater Hartford. Recent grants include operational support for The Bridge Family Center Inc and Healing Meals Community Project, plus education-focused support for Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford Inc and Hartford Youth Scholars.
Yes. Recent grants include $25,000 to Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for financial aid scholarship donation, $12,000 and $8,000 to University of Connecticut for financial aid scholarship donation, and $10,000 grants to Grace Academy in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for the same purpose.
The grant-size profile is relatively modest: the 25th percentile is $3,000, the median is $4,000, and the 75th percentile is $6,000. The trust also makes larger grants, including $25,000 awards and several $10,000 to $20,000 grants.
Repeated support is common. The same recipients appear across multiple years, including The Bridge Family Center Inc, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford Inc, Hall High School, Grace Academy, Healing Meals Community Project, and Connecticut Radio Information System Inc.
The trust funds arts and school-linked programming as well as operations. Examples include $20,000 to Bushnell Center for unrestricted operational support, $10,000 to Hartford Stage Company for an educational program, $10,000 and $9,500 to Ballet Theatre Company for educational and music programs, and $9,010 to West Hartford Department of Fine & Performing Arts for an educational/music program.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HARTFORD FOUNDATION FOR PUBLIC GIVING | HARTFORD, CT | $45,000 | 2026 | FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIP DONATION |
| BUSHNELL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | HARTFORD, CT | $40,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| THE BRIDGE FAMILY CENTER INC | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $30,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| HALL HIGH SCHOOL | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $22,500 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| THE VILLAGE FOR FAMILIES & CHILDREN | HARTFORD, CT | $17,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| GRACE ACADEMY | HARTFORD, CT | $15,000 | 2026 | FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIP DONATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT | STORRS, CT | $12,000 | 2026 | FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIP DONATION |
| GOODWIN COLLEGE FOUNDATION | EAST HARTFORD, CT | $12,000 | 2026 | FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIP DONATION |
| HARTFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | HARTFORD, CT | $10,380 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| HARTFORD YOUTH SCHOLARS | HARTFORD, CT | $10,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| HARTFORD STAGE COMPANY | HARTFORD, CT | $10,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| HEALING MEALS COMMUNITY PROJECT | BLOOMFIELD, CT | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| INTENSIVE EDUCATION ACADEMY | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $9,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| THE COVE CENTER FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN | CHESHIRE, CT | $8,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| HARC INC | HARTFORD, CT | $7,500 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| CONNECTICUT RADIO INFORMATION SYSTEM INC | WINDSOR, CT | $7,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| REAL ART WAYS | HARTFORD, CT | $7,500 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| WEST HARTFORD SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $6,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| CONARD HIGH | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $6,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY | HARTFORD, CT | $6,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF HARTFORD INC | HARTFORD, CT | $6,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| WEST HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $5,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL/MUSIC PROGRAMS |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CONNECTICUT | HARTFORD, CT | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| WINDING TRAILS SUMMER CAMP | FARMINGTON, CT | $5,000 | 2026 | FINANCIAL AID - CAMPERSHIP FUND |
| THE FOUNDATION FOR WEST HARTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $5,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD - LEAD PROGRAM | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $5,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| VIRGINIA TECH UNIVERSITY | BLACKSBURG, VA | $4,000 | 2026 | FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIP DONATION |
| OAK HILL CONNECTICUT INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND | HARTFORD, CT | $4,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| SPELMAN COLLEGE | ATLANTA, GA | $4,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY | WINSTON SALEM, NC | $4,000 | 2026 | FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIP DONATION |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $4,000 | 2026 | FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIP DONATION |
| CONNECTICUT FAMILY THEATRE INC | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $4,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | CHICAGO, IL | $4,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| JUSTICE DANCE PERFORMANCE PROJECT INC | HARTFORD, CT | $4,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL/MUSIC PROGRAMS |
| FAVARH THE ARC OF FARMINGTON VALLEY INC | CANTON, CT | $4,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| CONNECTICUT SCIENCE CENTER | HARTFORD, CT | $3,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| ROB THE DRUMMER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INC | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $3,000 | 2026 | MUSIC PROGRAM |
| WEST HARTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $2,800 | 2026 | CONARD/HALL DC TRIP FUND |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $2,500 | 2026 | DONATION TO JONATHAN'S DREAM PLAYGROUND |
| AURORA FOUNDATION | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $2,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| CAPITOL SQUASH CO TRINITY COLLEGE | HARTFORD, CT | $2,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| KINGSWOOD OXFORD SCHOOL | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $2,500 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| HOLE IN THE WALL GANG CAMP | NEW HAVEN, CT | $2,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER OF CONNECTICUT | HARTFORD, CT | $2,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| MARY'S PLACE | WINDSOR, CT | $2,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| THE CHILDREN'S ROOM | ARLINGTON, MA | $1,500 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | NEW HAVEN, CT | $1,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| COVENANT PREPARATORY SCHOOL | HARTFORD, CT | $1,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS OF CONNECTICUT | HAMDEN, CT | $1,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT |
| HARTFORD CHORALE | HARTFORD, CT | $1,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
HARTFORD FOUNDATION FOR PUBLIC GIVING
$45,000FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIP DONATION
BUSHNELL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
$40,000EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
HALL HIGH SCHOOL
$22,500EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIP DONATION
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
$12,000FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIP DONATION
GOODWIN COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$12,000FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIP DONATION
HARTFORD YOUTH SCHOLARS
$10,000EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
HEALING MEALS COMMUNITY PROJECT
$10,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
INTENSIVE EDUCATION ACADEMY
$9,000EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
THE COVE CENTER FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN
$8,500UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
HARC INC
$7,500EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
CONNECTICUT RADIO INFORMATION SYSTEM INC
$7,500UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
REAL ART WAYS
$7,500EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
WEST HARTFORD SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL
$6,500UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
CONARD HIGH
$6,000EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
WEST HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
$5,000EDUCATIONAL/MUSIC PROGRAMS
WINDING TRAILS SUMMER CAMP
$5,000FINANCIAL AID - CAMPERSHIP FUND
THE FOUNDATION FOR WEST HARTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$5,000EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD - LEAD PROGRAM
$5,000EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
VIRGINIA TECH UNIVERSITY
$4,000FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIP DONATION
OAK HILL CONNECTICUT INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND
$4,000EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
CONNECTICUT FAMILY THEATRE INC
$4,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
JUSTICE DANCE PERFORMANCE PROJECT INC
$4,000EDUCATIONAL/MUSIC PROGRAMS
FAVARH THE ARC OF FARMINGTON VALLEY INC
$4,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
ROB THE DRUMMER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INC
$3,000MUSIC PROGRAM
WEST HARTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$2,800CONARD/HALL DC TRIP FUND
AURORA FOUNDATION
$2,500UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
CAPITOL SQUASH CO TRINITY COLLEGE
$2,500UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
KINGSWOOD OXFORD SCHOOL
$2,500EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
MARY'S PLACE
$2,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
$1,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
HARTFORD CHORALE
$1,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT