The Michael J. Connell Foundation, established in 1931, aims to support cultural, educational, environmental, and medical endeavors, with a primary focus on the Pasadena/Los Angeles area. It has a long history of backing a wide variety of programs, particularly those related to performing and visual arts, as well as initiatives in environmental health and education.
The grant program from the Michael J. Connell Foundation is designed to support organizations and initiatives within its core commitments: performing and visual arts, environment, health, and education. For the environment, it targets the preservation of natural resources, accessibility to land for all, expanding and maintaining public lands, exposing under-resourced groups to the outdoors, and preserving land for native species. In performing and visual arts, it focuses on high-quality arts organizations, arts education, exposure to the arts for young audiences with access barriers, and capital grants that further the mission of the organization. Education grants aim to support school-based exposure to arts and conservation, target underprivileged groups with arts and outdoor programs, expand access to educational resources for at-risk youth, access to technology, academic interventions, and youth development programs that employ evidence-informed practices. Healthcare grants prioritize enhancing access to basic needs, mental wellbeing for children and families, and addressing social determinants of health. The program offers PROGRAM grants for ongoing performing and visual arts projects and SEED grants for innovative education projects within existing organizations.