Stich Charitable Foundation

The Stich Charitable Foundation is a relatively new private foundation in a distinctive growth phase — it holds $15.9 million in assets from the estate gift of Peter Stich of West Hartford, CT, but has deployed only $23,500 in recorded grants through its first three years of filings. This gap between capacity and activity signals an emerging funder actively building its grant portfolio.

The foundation is managed solely by Tim Sciarrillo, who brings 30+ years of management consulting and C-level executive experience with entrepreneurial companies. This background shapes the foundation's entire approach: it describes itself as supporting "productive, passionate non-profit companies" and wanting to "ignite the impact of younger, non-profit programs into flames of success." The business language is intentional — this is a foundation that thinks like a venture investor, seeking high-impact organizations with dynamic, execution-oriented leaders.

The foundation explicitly offers both targeted grants and strategic advisory. This dual model means grant seekers should approach not just with a funding request but with a clear articulation of how strategic guidance from an experienced business executive could accelerate their impact.

For first-time applicants, the key insight is that this foundation is actively building relationships and has significant untapped capacity. With $15.9M in assets, a standard 5% payout rate would yield approximately $795,000 in annual giving — compared to the $23,500 actually deployed in FY2023. Organizations that align with one of the four focus areas and can demonstrate entrepreneurial energy, measurable outcomes, and growth potential are well-positioned.

The foundation's known grantees — Dog Star Rescue ($150,000 match), College Street Capital Corporation ($23,500), Women's Mentoring Network, and Catholic Academy of Bridgeport — span three of the four focus areas, suggesting genuine breadth of interest.

The Stich Charitable Foundation's financial profile reveals a foundation with enormous potential that is still ramping up its grantmaking activity.

Asset base: - FY2024: $15,889,628 - FY2023: $15,488,438 - FY2022: $14,938,448

Assets have grown steadily, likely reflecting investment returns on the original estate gift from Peter Stich.

Giving activity (from IRS filings): - FY2024: $0 in total giving (filing may be preliminary) - FY2023: $121,955 total expenditure, $23,500 in grants paid - FY2022: $0 in total giving

The single recorded grant of $23,500 to College Street Capital Corporation (marked as "General & Unrestricted") represents the only entry in the foundation's grants database. However, web research reveals additional commitments not captured in 990 filings, including a $150,000 matching grant to Dog Star Rescue.

Projected capacity: At a standard 5% payout rate on $15.9M assets, the foundation could distribute approximately $795,000 annually. Even at the legal minimum 5% of net investment income, the foundation has significant room to grow.

Grant size indicators: - Recorded grants: $23,500 average - Known commitments: up to $150,000 (Dog Star Rescue match) - The matching grant model suggests the foundation may favor catalytic gifts that leverage additional funding

Leadership compensation: Tim Sciarrillo serves as President, Director, Secretary, and Treasurer without compensation ($0), demonstrating low overhead. With only one person managing the foundation, decisions can be made quickly, but capacity for reviewing many proposals is limited.

The Stich Charitable Foundation is one of several mid-size private foundations in Connecticut at the $15-17M asset level, but its early-stage status makes it unique among peers.

The Stich Charitable Foundation stands apart from its Connecticut peers primarily because of its nascent grantmaking activity relative to its asset base. While peer foundations at the $15-17M level typically distribute $500,000-$800,000 annually, Stich has deployed only $23,500 in recorded grants. This creates a significant opportunity: as the foundation matures and ramps up giving, there is substantial room for new grantees to establish early relationships. The foundation's four defined focus areas (Animal Wellness, Entrepreneurism, Educational Solutions, Human Health Innovations) also provide more specific targeting than the general philanthropy mandates of most peers.

The Stich Charitable Foundation is in its early operational phase, with only three years of IRS filings on record (FY2022-2024). The most notable known activity is the $150,000 matching grant commitment to Dog Star Rescue for a building project, which dwarfs the foundation's only recorded 990 grant of $23,500 to College Street Capital Corporation.

The foundation has also supported the Women's Mentoring Network and Catholic Academy of Bridgeport, though specific amounts and dates for these grants are not available in public filings.

Tim Sciarrillo, the sole officer and director, manages the foundation after a career founding and co-founding multiple companies and serving as a management consultant. His LinkedIn profile describes his current role as "Supporting Productive and Passionate Non-Profits," reinforcing the foundation's entrepreneurial orientation.

The foundation's Wix-based website (stichcharitablefoundation.org) includes pages for Grant Targets, About, and Contact, indicating active public engagement. The four focus areas — Animal Wellness, Entrepreneurism, Educational Solutions, and Human Health Innovations — are prominently featured.

With $15.9M in assets and minimal giving to date, the foundation is expected to significantly increase its grantmaking as it establishes its portfolio and processes. The stated desire to help "younger, non-profit programs" suggests a deliberate strategy of identifying and nurturing emerging organizations rather than supporting well-established institutions.

Lead with entrepreneurial language. Tim Sciarrillo's background is management consulting and entrepreneurship. Frame your proposal in business terms: return on investment, scalability, measurable milestones, growth trajectory. Avoid jargon-heavy nonprofit language.

Align precisely with one of four focus areas. The foundation's four targets are specific and intentional: Animal Wellness, Entrepreneurism, Educational Solutions, and Human Health Innovations. Do not submit proposals that straddle categories or fall outside them.

Position yourself as an early-stage, high-potential organization. The foundation explicitly seeks to "ignite the impact of younger, non-profit programs." If you are an established institution with decades of history, this may not be the right funder. If you are a 1-10 year old nonprofit with ambitious plans, lean into that narrative.

Request strategic advisory alongside funding. The foundation offers both grants and strategic advisory. Demonstrate that you value mentorship and business guidance, not just money. Describe specific challenges where an experienced business executive could help.

Consider proposing a matching gift structure. The Dog Star Rescue commitment ($150,000 match) suggests the foundation favors catalytic grants that leverage additional funding. Propose a match that demonstrates community support and co-investment.

Keep your initial outreach concise and results-oriented. With one person managing the foundation, Tim Sciarrillo's time is limited. A one-page email summary with clear metrics, alignment statement, and specific ask will be more effective than a lengthy proposal.

Use the contact form on the website or email info@stichcharitablefoundation.org. There is no published application form or deadline — this is a relationship-driven foundation where direct outreach is the entry point.