In 2022, the foundation gave over US$13.8 million to organizations and institutions serving Philadelphia, the surrounding counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery, and the city of Camden, New Jersey.
[7] Since its founding in 1955, the Connelly Foundation has been a responsive and proactive grant making organization awarding funds to nonprofits in the Philadelphia area that demonstrate outstanding performance in meeting community needs.
For the first 25 years it was principally driven by its Founders John and Josephine Connelly’s personal charitable principles, with a strong emphasis on increasing access to higher education, strengthening Catholic schools, and providing help and opportunity to the needy.
Staying true to the vision and foresight of the Founders, the Foundation has continued to embrace its philosophy of identifying individuals and groups whose leadership can bring positive change, then supporting their ability to serve those around them.
At the same time, creative new ideas were generated toward programs that would bolster and complement the quality Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, while supporting organizations that respect human dignity and provide opportunity.