The Mission of The Guilford Foundation is to enrich the quality of life in our community by connecting people who care with causes that matter, now and for generations to come.
The Guilford Foundation Inc. combines broad local grantmaking with several named programs that show how it works in Guilford: annual community grants, education funding, scholarships, sponsorships, and rapid-response support. Its recent awards include large mission-support grants to Guilford Art Center and Guilford High School, plus recurring support for local institutions that shape town life. The foundation also uses program structures that point to different ways of giving, including the Guilford Fund for Education, the Harvey Martin Music Scholarship Fund, and sponsorship awards funded through a partnership with Ascend Bank. Recent grants show a strong mix of general operating support and purpose-specific awards. That includes support for cultural organizations such as Guilford Performing Arts, civic groups such as Guilford Keeping Society, and service organizations such as Women & Family Life Center. The foundation’s scholarship activity is also visible in awards to Guilford High School and Guilford A Better Chance. Alongside those larger commitments, it makes smaller community grants through annual cycles and targeted funds tied to local needs, education, and youth development.
Education and youth are a major part of the foundation’s work. It gave $68,796 to Guilford High School for 2024 Scholarships Grants and $55,000 to the Guilford Fund for Education for support mission of organization, while the Guilford A Better Chance received $25,700 for 2024 Scholarships. Arts and heritage also appear frequently. The foundation awarded $82,500 to Guilford Art Center for support mission of organization, $55,000 to Guilford Performing Arts for support mission of organization, and $26,000 to Dorothy Whitfield Historical Society for support mission of organization. Community services and wellness-related needs show up as well. It gave $75,000 to Guilford Interfaith Volunteers for 2024 ARPA Grants and $64,900 to Women & Family Life Center for 2024 ARPA Var Grants. In medical and family support, The Connecticut Hospice Inc received $75,000 for 2024 ARPA Grants.
Typical grant size centers around a median of $18,850, with the 25th percentile at $9,560 and the 75th percentile at $35,000. The grant list shows both larger mission-support awards and smaller annual community and scholarship grants, so its giving is layered rather than uniform. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including Guilford High School, Women & Family Life Center, Guilford Agricultural Society, and Guilford Fund for Education, which points to recurring local support rather than one-time funding only. The foundation also runs multiple channels: general grant applications through a GrantInterface portal, annual community grants, sponsorship awards, scholarships, and youth-led grantmaking through the Youth Advisory Group.
$675K
$8.5M
$2.4M
$1.2M
Most grants fall between $10K and $35K, with a median of $19K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$19K
75th Percentile
$35K
KRISTIN VANDERWEIDE
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Giving is entirely in Connecticut, with 100% of grants to recipients in CT and the top giving state also CT. The recipient list is concentrated in Guilford, with additional grants in nearby shoreline towns such as Branford, Madison, North Haven, and New Haven, plus Hartford. Recent awards also reached organizations in Branford, including The Connecticut Hospice Inc and Orchard House Medical Adult Day Center, and in Madison, including Shoreline Arts Alliance and Apk Charities Corp. The pattern fits a local funder whose awards cluster around Guilford and the surrounding region.
The foundation supports basic needs, education and youth, arts, culture & heritage, environment and sustainability, wellness and mental health, human services, seniors, community vitality, scholarships, and sponsorships. Its active programs also include community impact grants, scholarships, the Guilford Fund for Education, and sponsorship awards.
Typical grants cluster around a median of $18,850, with the 25th percentile at $9,560 and the 75th percentile at $35,000. The recent grants list also shows awards above and below that range, including scholarship and ARPA-related grants.
Its giving is local and all recent grants in the dataset go to Connecticut recipients. The largest share goes to Guilford, but recent awards also reached Branford, Madison, North Haven, New Haven, and Hartford.
Yes. The foundation accepts unsolicited applications through its online Grant Center using GrantInterface, and its annual community grants program is also marked as accepting unsolicited applications.
Recent awards include Guilford Art Center, Guilford Interfaith Volunteers, Women & Family Life Center, Guilford Performing Arts, Guilford Keeping Society, and Guilford Fund for Education. The recent list shows both mission-support grants and ARPA-related awards across local nonprofits and public agencies.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Guilford Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations with an innovative concept or new initiative for Guilford, a need that prevents operations or a significant initiative from moving forward without emergency funding, or a need/concept arising after the main grant deadline.
Deadline: Rolling review starting May 15 after the annual deadline.
Who can apply: Eligible nonprofits and public agencies serving Guilford (detailed eligibility in grant guidelines/portal).
Who can apply: Open to 509(a)(3) not-for-profit organizations and 170(c)(1) governmental agencies serving the Guilford community. Grants are not awarded for debt reduction, endowments, lobbying, political organizations, campaigns, or to replace government funding sources. Individuals are not eligible.
Deadline: Portal opens in January; virtual information session at end of January or early February; deadline mid-March; awards announced in May.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guilford Interfaith Volunteers | Guilford, CT | $75,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| The Connecticut Hospice Inc | Branford, CT | $75,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| Guilford High School | Guilford, CT | $68,796 | 2025 | 2024 Scholarships Grants |
| Women & Family Life Center | Guilford, CT | $64,900 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Var Grants |
| Starship Dance Theater & Co | Guilford, CT | $35,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| The Dudley Foundation | Guilford, CT | $26,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| Guilford A Better Chance | Guilford, CT | $25,700 | 2025 | 2024 Scholarships |
| Central Connecticut Coast YMCA | New Haven, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| The Ethan Miller Song Found | Guilford, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| Junior Achievement of Southwest NE Inc | Hartford, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| Orchard House Medical Adult Day Center | Branford, CT | $20,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| Neighborhood Music School | New Haven, CT | $20,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| Legacy Theatre | Branford, CT | $18,500 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| Shoreline Arts Alliance | Madison, CT | $18,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| Guilford Agricultural Society | Guilford, CT | $17,300 | 2025 | 2024 Designated Grants |
| Move to Heal | Branford, CT | $15,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| Little Sprouts Learning Center | Guilford, CT | $15,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Annual Grants |
| Paul Dostie KARE Found | Guilford, CT | $15,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| Guilford Preservation Alliance | Guilford, CT | $10,120 | 2025 | TGF Leadership Initiatives |
| Knights of Columbus Council #3928 | Guilford, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| Shoreline Village CT | Branford, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| Read to Grow Inc | Branford, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| Blue Moon Raptors Inc | Guilford, CT | $9,413 | 2025 | 2024 Donor Advised Grant |
| No Guilford Congregational Church | Guilford, CT | $8,000 | 2025 | 2024 Donor Advised Grant |
| Witness Stones Project Inc | Guilford, CT | $7,500 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| Guilford Art Center | Guilford, CT | $5,900 | 2025 | 2024 Designated Grants |
| Community Nursery School | Guilford, CT | $5,000 | 2025 | 2024 Annual Grants |
| Guilford Center for Children | Guilford, CT | $5,000 | 2025 | 2024 Annual Grants |
| Guilford Sailing Found | New Haven, CT | $5,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| The Cove Center for Grieving Children | Cheshire, CT | $5,000 | 2025 | 2024 ARPA Grants |
| GUILFORD ART CENTER | GUILFORD, CT | $82,500 | 2024 | SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION |
| GUILFORD HIGH SCHOOL | GUILFORD, CT | $55,675 | 2024 | SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION |
| GUILFORD PERFORMING ARTS | GUILFORD, CT | $55,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION |
| GUILFORD FUND FOR EDUCATION | GUILFORD, CT | $55,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION |
| COMMUNITY NURSERY SCHOOL | GUILFORD, CT | $52,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION |
| GUILFORD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY | GUILFORD, CT | $42,200 | 2024 | SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION |
| GUILFORD COMMUNITY TV | GUILFORD, CT | $37,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION |
| GUILFORD CENTER FOR CHILDREN | GUILFORD, CT | $35,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION |
| APK CHARITIES CORP | MADISON, CT | $35,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION |
| COMMUNITY DINING ROOM | BRANFORD, CT | $35,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION |
| BHCARE INC | NORTH HAVEN, CT | $30,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION |
| FAULKNERS LIGHT BRIGADE | GUILFORD, CT | $26,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION |
| DOROTHY WHITFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY | GUILFORD, CT | $26,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION |
| GUILFORD KEEPING SOCIETY | GUILFORD, CT | $26,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION |
| WOMEN & FAMILY LIFE CENTER | GUILFORD, CT | $19,200 | 2024 | — |
| GUILFORD ABAR | GUILFORD, CT | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION |
| CLIFFORD W BEERS GUIDANCE CLINIC | NEW HAVEN, CT | $7,500 | 2024 | SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION |
| WOMEN & FAMILY LIFE CENTER | GUILFORD, CT | $16,200 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION. |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR GREATER NEW HAVEN | NEW HAVEN, CT | $11,166 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GUILFORD SOCIAL SERVICES | GUILFORD, CT | $8,300 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION. |
Guilford Interfaith Volunteers
$75,0002024 ARPA Grants
Guilford High School
$68,7962024 Scholarships Grants
Starship Dance Theater & Co
$35,0002024 ARPA Grants
The Dudley Foundation
$26,0002024 ARPA Grants
Guilford A Better Chance
$25,7002024 Scholarships
The Ethan Miller Song Found
$25,0002024 ARPA Grants
Junior Achievement of Southwest NE Inc
$25,0002024 ARPA Grants
Orchard House Medical Adult Day Center
$20,0002024 ARPA Grants
Shoreline Arts Alliance
$18,0002024 ARPA Grants
Guilford Agricultural Society
$17,3002024 Designated Grants
Move to Heal
$15,0002024 ARPA Grants
Little Sprouts Learning Center
$15,0002024 ARPA Annual Grants
Paul Dostie KARE Found
$15,0002024 ARPA Grants
Guilford Preservation Alliance
$10,120TGF Leadership Initiatives
Knights of Columbus Council #3928
$10,0002024 ARPA Grants
Shoreline Village CT
$10,0002024 ARPA Grants
Read to Grow Inc
$10,0002024 ARPA Grants
Blue Moon Raptors Inc
$9,4132024 Donor Advised Grant
No Guilford Congregational Church
$8,0002024 Donor Advised Grant
Witness Stones Project Inc
$7,5002024 ARPA Grants
Guilford Art Center
$5,9002024 Designated Grants
Community Nursery School
$5,0002024 Annual Grants
Guilford Center for Children
$5,0002024 Annual Grants
Guilford Sailing Found
$5,0002024 ARPA Grants
The Cove Center for Grieving Children
$5,0002024 ARPA Grants
GUILFORD ART CENTER
$82,500SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION
GUILFORD HIGH SCHOOL
$55,675SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION
GUILFORD PERFORMING ARTS
$55,000SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION
GUILFORD FUND FOR EDUCATION
$55,000SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION
COMMUNITY NURSERY SCHOOL
$52,000SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION
GUILFORD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
$42,200SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION
GUILFORD COMMUNITY TV
$37,000SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION
GUILFORD CENTER FOR CHILDREN
$35,000SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION
APK CHARITIES CORP
$35,000SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION
COMMUNITY DINING ROOM
$35,000SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION
FAULKNERS LIGHT BRIGADE
$26,000SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION
DOROTHY WHITFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$26,000SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION
GUILFORD KEEPING SOCIETY
$26,000SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION
GUILFORD ABAR
$10,000SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION
CLIFFORD W BEERS GUIDANCE CLINIC
$7,500SUPPORT MISSION OF ORGANIZATION
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR GREATER NEW HAVEN
$11,166TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
GUILFORD SOCIAL SERVICES
$8,300TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION.
