The mission of the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund is to achieve equity in education by working with those affected and inspiring all to end racism and poverty.
WILLIAM CASPAR GRAUSTEIN MEMORIAL FUND is based in Hamden, CT. It reported $14,748,988 in annual grants and $121,160,570 in total assets on its latest 990 filed for 2025. The fund’s mission is to achieve equity in education by working with those affected and inspiring all to end racism and poverty. Its stated focus areas include anti-racist and inclusive curricula, school climate, equitable school financing, teacher diversification and support for BIPOC educators, community organizing, state and local advocacy, criminal justice reform, economic justice, health equity, housing equity, immigration justice, rapid response, and racial equity training and technical assistance. Recent grants show a strong emphasis on Connecticut-based education and racial equity work. Examples include $200,000 to COMMON COUNSEL FOUNDATION for Movement for Black Lives (M4BL), $162,000 to CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP AND JUSTICE for general operating support, and $150,000 to RECENTER RACE & EQUITY IN EDUCATION INC for operationalizing racial equity across systems. Other large grants include $133,000 to CITYWIDE YOUTH COALITION INC and $125,000 to SERC FOUNDATION. The fund is classified as a regular funder and funds individuals. Its typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $32,500 at the median, and $60,000 at the 75th percentile.
Recent grantmaking spans racial equity and anti-racism organizing, language justice and civic participation for multilingual communities, immigrant and migrant power-building, and youth organizing. Notable grants include $101,250 to MAKE THE ROAD CONNECTICUT for building power for language justice and full participation in local democracy, $112,000 to UNITED WE DREAM NETWORK INC for CT Students for a Dream, and $101,250 to CT BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS UNION for general support. The fund also supported criminal-legal system reform and rapid response through grants such as $200,000 to COMMON COUNSEL FOUNDATION for Movement for Black Lives (M4BL) and multiple grants to Connecticut-based organizations focused on racial equity and community organizing.
WILLIAM CASPAR GRAUSTEIN MEMORIAL FUND’s typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $32,500 at the median, and $60,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants show both general operating support and project support, with several awards in the $101,250 to $118,125 range for ongoing work. Its active programs are primarily aimed at current grantee partners rather than open applicants, and multiple listed programs are marked as not accepting new applications or unsolicited requests. The fund also makes smaller responsive and rapid response grants of $0 to $10,000, plus technical assistance support up to $4,000.
$5.1M
$121.2M
$6.3M
$9.9M
Most grants fall between $10K and $60K, with a median of $33K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$33K
75th Percentile
$60K
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WILLIAM CASPAR GRAUSTEIN MEMORIAL FUND gives most often in Connecticut, which accounts for 86% of its grants to recipients in the HQ state. Its geographic scope of giving is local. Recent grants also include recipients in New York, Washington, DC, and California, but the grant record is overwhelmingly Connecticut-based. Within Connecticut, recent recipients include organizations in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Middletown, Waterbury, Fairfield, and New London.
Several active programs do not accept unsolicited applications, including Equity Grants for Community Groups, Equity Grants for Work Within Educational Institutions, Rapid Response Grants, and Technical Assistance. The Responsive Grants pathway is described as an additional support route for Connecticut communities responding to urgent needs.
Its stated focus areas include anti-racist and inclusive curricula, school climate, equitable school financing, teacher diversification, community organizing, state and local advocacy, criminal justice reform, economic justice, health equity, housing equity, immigration justice, rapid response, and racial equity training and technical assistance.
Typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $32,500 at the median, and $60,000 at the 75th percentile. Some active programs range from $0 to $10,000, while equity grant programs are listed at $45,000 to $135,000.
Its geographic scope of giving is local, and 86% of grants go to recipients in Connecticut, the state where it gives most often. Recent grants also went to recipients in New York, Washington, DC, and California.
Recent grants include COMMON COUNSEL FOUNDATION, CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP AND JUSTICE, RECENTER RACE & EQUITY IN EDUCATION INC, CITYWIDE YOUTH COALITION INC, SERC FOUNDATION, BRIDGEPORT GENERATION NOW, MAKE THE ROAD STATES INC, UNITED WE DREAM NETWORK INC, and CT BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS UNION.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Primarily intended for groups that are not current grantee partners. Groups are eligible for funding once every twelve months. Projects must align with the Memorial Fund’s mission.
Deadline: No fixed deadline stated; eligibility is limited to once every twelve months.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRIDGEPORT GENERATION NOW | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $118,125 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CERCLE | NEW HAVEN, CT | $118,125 | 2025 | CERCLE STRONG |
| RACCE INC | WATERBURY, CT | $103,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RE-CENTER | HARTFORD, CT | $101,250 | 2025 | RE-CENTER: BUILDING NETWORKS FOR RACIAL EQUITY IMPACT |
| HEARING YOUTH VOICES | NEW LONDON, CT | $101,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORTYOUTH BUILDING POWER |
| RELAY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION | NEW YORK, NY | $101,250 | 2025 | RELAY CONNECTICUT |
| CITYWIDE YOUTH COALITION INC | NEW HAVEN, CT | $101,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SERC FOUNDATION | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $101,250 | 2025 | CONFERENCE AND SUPPORTING DISTRICTS TO BUILD SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY COALITIONS |
| CITYWIDE YOUTH COALITION INC | NEW HAVEN, CT | $101,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CT BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS UNION | HARTFORD, CT | $101,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HEARING YOUTH VOICES | NEW LONDON, CT | $101,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORTYOUTH BUILDING POWER |
| CT BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS UNION | HARTFORD, CT | $101,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SERC FOUNDATION | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $101,250 | 2025 | DISMANTLING SYSTEMIC RACISM AND SUPPORTING DISTRICTS TO BUILD SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY COALITIONS |
| ALL OUR KIN | NEW HAVEN, CT | $101,250 | 2025 | PARTNERING WITH FAMILY CHILD CARE EDUCATORS TO ADVOCATE FOR EQUITABLE EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION SYSTEMS IN CONNECTICUT AND BEYOND |
| CONNECTICUT STUDENTS FOR A DREAM | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $101,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MAKE THE ROAD CONNECTICUT | HARTFORD, CT | $101,250 | 2025 | BUILDING POWER FOR LANGUAGE JUSTICE & FULL PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL DEMOCRACY |
| SHE LEADS JUSTICE | HARTFORD, CT | $100,625 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMON COUNSEL FOUNDATION | OAKLAND, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | MOVEMENT FOR BLACK LIVES |
| COMMON COUNSEL FOUNDATION | OAKLAND, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | MOVEMENT FOR BLACK LIVES |
| KATAL CENTER FOR HEALTH EQUITY AND JUSTICE | HARTFORD, CT | $87,500 | 2025 | #CUTSHUTINVEST CAMPAIGN AND BLOC |
| CONNECTICUT JUSTICE ALLIANCE | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $87,500 | 2025 | CONNECTICUT JUSTICE ALLIANCE, JUSTICE ADVISORS AND #INVESTINMECT |
| PT PARTNERS | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $86,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT - PT PARTNERS |
| PT PARTNERS | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $86,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| A BETTER WAY FOUNDATION | HARTFORD, CT | $86,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| A BETTER WAY FOUNDATION | HARTFORD, CT | $86,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP AND JUSTICE | HARTFORD, CT | $86,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FAITHACTS FOR EDUCATION INC | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $67,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WATERBURY BRIDGE TO SUCCESS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP | WATERBURY, CT | $67,500 | 2025 | WATERBURY BRIDGE TO SUCCESS CRADLE TO CAREER/P-20 CANS GENERAL OPERATING |
| NEW HAVEN LEGAL ASSISTANCE ASSOCIATION INC | NEW HAVEN, CT | $65,625 | 2025 | BUILDING COMMUNITY POWER IN ECONOMIC JUSTICE |
| STEP UP NEW LONDON | NEW LONDON, CT | $65,625 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STUDENTS FOR EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE | HAMDEN, CT | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| A BETTER WAY FOUNDATION | HARTFORD, CT | $60,000 | 2025 | END OF YEAR SURPLUS GRANT |
| THE PEOPLE'S PLACE | WATERBURY, CT | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STUDENTS FOR EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE | HAMDEN, CT | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HEALTH EQUITY SOLUTIONS | HARTFORD, CT | $57,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY POWER |
| WATERBURY BRIDGE TO SUCCESS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP | WATERBURY, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CONGREGATIONS ORGANIZED FOR A NEW CONNECTICUT INC | HAMDEN, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CONGREGATIONS ORGANIZED FOR A NEW CONNECTICUT INC | HAMDEN, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| POWER | STAMFORD, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | POWER - PARENTS ORGANIZED WILL EFFECT RESULTS |
| CONNECTICUT COUNCIL FOR PHILANTHROPY | HARTFORD, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | IMMIGRATION POOLED FUND |
| UNIDAD LATINA EN ACCION | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $47,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| POWER | STAMFORD, CT | $42,500 | 2025 | POWER PARENTS ORGANIZED WILL EFFECT RESULTS |
| SAVE GIRLS ON FYER | WATERBURY, CT | $42,500 | 2025 | LIBERATION AT THE CENTER |
| MIDDLETOWN RACIAL JUSTICE COALITION | WATERBURY, CT | $42,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EDUCATORS FOR EXCELLENCE | NEW YORK, NY | $42,500 | 2025 | EQUITABLE EDUCATION FOR ALL CONNECTICUT STUDENTS |
| MIDDLETOWN RACIAL JUSTICE COALITION | WATERBURY, CT | $42,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CONNECTICUT VOICES FOR CHILDREN | NEW HAVEN, CT | $35,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC JUSTICE COALITION & SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS |
| SCHOOL AND STATE FINANCE PROJECT | HAMDEN, CT | $35,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP COHORT |
| CONNECTICUT VOICES FOR CHILDREN | NEW HAVEN, CT | $35,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC JUSTICE COALITION & SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS |
| 50CAN INC DBA CONNCAN | WASHINGTON, DC | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
BRIDGEPORT GENERATION NOW
$118,125GENERAL SUPPORT
CERCLE
$118,125CERCLE STRONG
RACCE INC
$103,250GENERAL SUPPORT
RE-CENTER
$101,250RE-CENTER: BUILDING NETWORKS FOR RACIAL EQUITY IMPACT
HEARING YOUTH VOICES
$101,250GENERAL SUPPORTYOUTH BUILDING POWER
CITYWIDE YOUTH COALITION INC
$101,250GENERAL SUPPORT
SERC FOUNDATION
$101,250CONFERENCE AND SUPPORTING DISTRICTS TO BUILD SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY COALITIONS
CITYWIDE YOUTH COALITION INC
$101,250GENERAL SUPPORT
CT BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS UNION
$101,250GENERAL SUPPORT
HEARING YOUTH VOICES
$101,250GENERAL SUPPORTYOUTH BUILDING POWER
CT BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS UNION
$101,250GENERAL SUPPORT
SERC FOUNDATION
$101,250DISMANTLING SYSTEMIC RACISM AND SUPPORTING DISTRICTS TO BUILD SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY COALITIONS
PARTNERING WITH FAMILY CHILD CARE EDUCATORS TO ADVOCATE FOR EQUITABLE EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION SYSTEMS IN CONNECTICUT AND BEYOND
CONNECTICUT STUDENTS FOR A DREAM
$101,250GENERAL SUPPORT
BUILDING POWER FOR LANGUAGE JUSTICE & FULL PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL DEMOCRACY
SHE LEADS JUSTICE
$100,625GENERAL SUPPORT
KATAL CENTER FOR HEALTH EQUITY AND JUSTICE
$87,500#CUTSHUTINVEST CAMPAIGN AND BLOC
CONNECTICUT JUSTICE ALLIANCE
$87,500CONNECTICUT JUSTICE ALLIANCE, JUSTICE ADVISORS AND #INVESTINMECT
PT PARTNERS
$86,250GENERAL SUPPORT - PT PARTNERS
PT PARTNERS
$86,250GENERAL SUPPORT
A BETTER WAY FOUNDATION
$86,250GENERAL SUPPORT
CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP AND JUSTICE
$86,250GENERAL SUPPORT
WATERBURY BRIDGE TO SUCCESS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
$67,500WATERBURY BRIDGE TO SUCCESS CRADLE TO CAREER/P-20 CANS GENERAL OPERATING
BUILDING COMMUNITY POWER IN ECONOMIC JUSTICE
STEP UP NEW LONDON
$65,625GENERAL SUPPORT
STUDENTS FOR EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE PEOPLE'S PLACE
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STUDENTS FOR EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WATERBURY BRIDGE TO SUCCESS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CONGREGATIONS ORGANIZED FOR A NEW CONNECTICUT INC
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CONGREGATIONS ORGANIZED FOR A NEW CONNECTICUT INC
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
POWER
$50,000POWER - PARENTS ORGANIZED WILL EFFECT RESULTS
UNIDAD LATINA EN ACCION
$47,500GENERAL SUPPORT
POWER
$42,500POWER PARENTS ORGANIZED WILL EFFECT RESULTS
SAVE GIRLS ON FYER
$42,500LIBERATION AT THE CENTER
MIDDLETOWN RACIAL JUSTICE COALITION
$42,500GENERAL SUPPORT
MIDDLETOWN RACIAL JUSTICE COALITION
$42,500GENERAL SUPPORT
ECONOMIC JUSTICE COALITION & SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS
SCHOOL AND STATE FINANCE PROJECT
$35,000COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP COHORT
ECONOMIC JUSTICE COALITION & SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS