What Connecticut Nonprofits Should Know About the Anna Fitch Ardenghi Trust
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Bank of America Philanthropic Solutions manages a few private foundations that exclusively focus their grantmaking on the state of Connecticut. One of these funders is the Anna Fitch Ardenghi Trust, which has an accessible grant program and broad interests, but a specific focus on organizations based in New Haven. Anna Fitch Ardenghi was first married to the former treasurer of Yale University, William W. Farnam, and later married an Italian chauffeur, Vincenzo Ardenghi. She arranged for the trust to be created after her death and entrusted the administration and management to Bank of America. She passed away in 1980, and the trust has been operating since 1981.
To guide nonprofits in this part of the Tri-State area, here’s what you need to know about the Anna Fitch Ardenghi Trust and its approach to philanthropy.
Four categories of grantmaking
The Anna Fitch Ardenghi Trust has broad focus areas that follow the interests of the founders. Its four categories for funding are arts/culture/humanities, education, health, and human services. Lately, supportive housing organizations, adult literacy programs, youth music opportunities and food banks have been receiving Ardenghi funding. In recent years, grants have been between $2,000 and $10,000, with most grants hovering around $3,000 or $5,000 each.
Within these grantmaking categories, the Ardenghi Trust focuses on the needs of underserved local populations and gives preference to youth and arts-related programming. The Ardenghi Trust does not support capital projects and only makes one-year grants.
Prioritizing the needs of New Haven
During her lifetime, Ardenghi was dedicated to the needs of New Haven, Connecticut. In 1953, she arranged to have a Potter’s field entirely refurbished in New Haven. To receive a grant today, it is required that applicant organizations have a principal office in the city of New Haven.
Recent grantees include the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, New Reach (formerly known as New Haven Home Recovery), Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven and the Salvation Army of New Haven. Columbus House, the Connecticut Players Foundation and FISH of Greater New Haven have also received grants.
Applying for a grant
The application process for the Ardenghi Trust is straightforward, since it goes through Bank of America’s online system. The annual deadline to apply for a grant is June 15, and the funder notifies applicants of funding decisions within two to three months of that date. Grantseekers can find the application online and reach out to the Connecticut office of Bank of America Philanthropic Solutions by email with any questions.
