Halvorsen Family Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Halvorsen Family Foundation supports education, arts and culture, outdoor recreation, health and the environment in Connecticut.

FUNDING AREAS: Higher education, general education, health, environment, arts and culture, outdoor recreation

IP TAKE: Foundation grantmaking has been modest and highly targeted so far, but this billionaire family is still definitely one to watch in Connecticut and the broader region of the northeastern U.S. for future grant opportunities.

This is not an accessible foundation, preferring a proactive approach to grantmaking. This is common amongst small, family foundations with little to no staff. Grantmaking largely focuses on the northeastern U.S., but some grants also go to organizations in the founder’s native Norway.

PROFILE: Established in 2000, the Halvorsen Family Foundation (HFF) is a family foundation based in Greenwich, Connecticut. HFF is in care of the trustee, Ole Andreas Halvorsen, who is a billionaire hedge fund manager who co-founded the Connecticut-based Viking Global Investors. Born in 1961, he is originally from Norway but has a residence in Darien, Connecticut. Diane K. Halvorsen, his wife, is also a foundation trustee. HFF funds local efforts for education, health, arts and culture, outdoor recreation and the environment.

The Halvorsen Family Foundation does not have a website to guide grantseekers. However, past tax records indicate that HFF often supports higher education through grants to institutions with personal connections to the Halvorsen family. This family funder also supports art exhibits and outdoor recreation. HFF maintains a low public profile and does not share detailed information about its grantmaking strategies or processes.

Grants range between about $25,000 and $500,000. HFF has been awarding a few hundred thousand dollars in grants lately. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Past regional grantees include the Sterling & Francine Clark Institute, the New England Nordic Ski Association and Williams College.

This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits and only funds pre-selected organizations. Direct general questions to the staff at 203-863-5039.

PEOPLE:

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