Connelly Foundation

The Connelly Foundation is a Philadelphia philanthropic organization based in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. The organization was founded in 1955 by businessman and entrepreneur John F. Connelly. Connelly headed the foundation until his death in 1990,[3] and his wife Josephine led until her death in 1999.[4]

The Connelly Foundation
Founded1955
FounderJohn F. & Josephine Connelly
FocusEducation, Health & Human Services, cultural and civic endeavors
Location
Area served
Primarily the Delaware Valley
MethodDonations and grants
Key people
Revenue (2015)
US$17,578,778[1]
Expenses (2015)US$14,895,415[1]
Employees
16[2]
Websiteconnellyfdn.org

The foundation is arguably best well known in the Delaware Valley for its charitable giving and general financial support to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In 2006, the foundation gave over US$3.4 million to Catholic education in the Philadelphia area.[5]

Mission

[The] Connelly Foundation is a private grant making organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life in the greater Philadelphia region. [The] Connelly Foundation responds to requests for funding from education, health and human service, cultural and civic organizations. It's [sic] heritage is steeped in the integrity of its founders, who embodied the ideals of faith, uncommon vision and the manifest courage of their convictions.

— (quoted person needed), (source needed)

[The foundation's] broadly stated mission is to improve the quality of life in the Delaware Valley area.

— Josephine C. Mandeville[6]

History

John F. Connelly founded The Connelly Foundation in 1955 while maintaining his position as head of Connelly Containers.[7] During his lifetime, Connelly saw the foundation award over $74 million in grants to both religious and secular organizations in education, health and human services and cultural activities.

Josephine C. Mandeville, a daughter of the founders, took on the role of President upon Connelly's death in 1990 and held this role until 2018 when Tom Riley succeeded her.[8] Mandeville remained with the Foundation as Chairman.[8] Riley had previously served as vice president for strategic planning for the Foundation since 2012.[8]

Activities and programs

The Connelly Foundation has awarded over $300 million in grants since its inception in 1955, mostly within the Philadelphia area.[9] The organization maintains a detailed breakdown of to whom grants are awarded on a yearly basis on their website.[5]

In 1993, the Foundation enacted a tuition credit program, known as the Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Award and initially amounting to US$1,000 per year for four years, to encourage Philadelphia parochial school students to continue their education in Catholic high schools.[6] To provide perspective, annual Catholic high school tuition for the 1993-1994 school year was US$2,425.[6]

Also in 1993, the Foundation provided grant support to Allentown College for their US$2.1 million purchase of Brisson Seminary, required to accommodate expanding enrollment.[10] In 1999, the College dedicated their chapel as Connelly Chapel in recognition of this support.[10]

The Connelly-Delouvrier Scholars Program

The Connelly-Delouvrier Scholars Program was established at Villanova University in 1999 and is designed to provide financial assistance for one semester for a "select group of academically talented students" to study abroad.[11] According to Villanova University's website, "The Connelly-Delouvrier International Scholarship is open to students in good standing in the University Honors Program (3.33 cumulative GPA) and to students who are Presidential Scholarship recipients."

See also

Notes and references
  1. "Connelly Foundation" (PDF). Foundation Center (IRS Form 990-PF (2015)). 8 November 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  2. "Staff". Archived from the original on 25 December 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2007.
  3. Fowler, Glenn (11 July 1990). "John Connelly, 85, A Bottling Executive And Philanthropist". The New York Times.
  4. Nicholson, Jim (19 November 1999). "Josephine Connelly, philanthropist, mother". Philadelphia Daily News. Knight Ridder. p. 70. Retrieved 21 December 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Information for Grant Seekers". Connelly Foundation. Archived from the original on 14 December 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2007.
  6. Woodall, Martha (28 December 1993). "Aid targets parochial students". The Philadelphia Inquirer (City ed.). Knight-Ridder. p. B2. Retrieved 21 December 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Connelly became the chairman of the Crown Cork and Seal Company the following year, 1956, a position he held until his death in 1990 at age 85.
  8. "Connelly Foundation names Tom Riley new president". CatholicPhilly.com. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  9. Mandeville, Josephine (2005). "Letter From The President". Connelly Foundation. Archived from the original on 25 December 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2007.
  10. "Allentown College chapel is named in honor of the Connelly Foundation". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania: Times Mirror. 4 February 1999. p. B2. Retrieved 21 December 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Connelly-Delouvrier International Scholars Program". College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Villanova University. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008.
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