Town Fair Tire Foundation Inc.

## How to Approach Town Fair Tire Foundation

Town Fair Tire Foundation (TFTF) operates with a distinctive "pay it forward" philosophy rooted in founder Neil Mellen's vision of empowering communities toward self-reliance. Unlike many private foundations that fund at arm's length, TFTF explicitly seeks active involvement with grantees — offering guidance, direction, and even board-level engagement alongside financial support.

To align with TFTF's priorities, applicants should demonstrate:

1. Direct service to people in need — particularly those experiencing poverty across New England. The foundation's theory of change centers on economic and social advancement, not just immediate relief. 2. Capacity for partnership — TFTF values collaborative funding and public-private partnerships. Proposals that show leveraged or matched funding resonate strongly. 3. A clear pathway to self-reliance — programs that help beneficiaries move toward independence rather than perpetual dependence on services align with the foundation's core ethos. 4. Geographic relevance — while the foundation gives nationally, its heart is in New England (CT, MA, NH, ME, VT, RI). Connecticut-based organizations have a natural advantage given the foundation's East Haven headquarters.

The foundation's willingness to consider general operating grants, program-specific funding, capital campaigns, and endowments means applicants have flexibility in how they structure their requests. Multi-year and matching grant structures are preferred.

## Funding Patterns and Grant Distribution

Town Fair Tire Foundation has dramatically scaled its grantmaking over the past decade, with total charitable disbursements reaching $13.1 million in 2024 (fiscal year) — a remarkable increase from earlier years.

Annual Giving Trajectory: - 2024: $12.4 million in total giving (97.5% of all expenses went to charitable purposes) - 2023: $3.2 million in grants - 2022: $3.3 million in grants - 2020: 589 individual awards (most active year by count) - 2019: 135 awards, $1.25 million total - 2018: 77 awards, $788K total

Grant Size Range: The foundation's grants span a wide range. Evidence shows awards as small as $1,000 (e.g., Mainstay Supportive Housing) up to multi-million dollar consolidated gifts. The dramatic variation between number of awards (589 in 2020 vs. 33 in 2017) and total dollars suggests the foundation alternates between many small community grants and fewer large strategic investments.

Sector Focus: Education, human services, and philanthropy/voluntarism are the three primary giving categories. Health, welfare, and community development round out the portfolio.

Financial Capacity: With $46.1 million in total assets (primarily investment-based, generating $2.0M in dividends and $708K in asset sales in 2024), the foundation has substantial resources. Officer compensation totals $420,000 across 10 board members and associates, indicating lean operations relative to asset size.

## Peer Comparison: New England Private Foundations

Town Fair Tire Foundation occupies a distinctive position among mid-size New England private foundations — corporate-origin wealth channeled through a family-directed grantmaking vehicle.

Key Differentiators: - Payout ratio: TFTF's 2024 disbursements of $12.4M against $46.1M in assets represents a ~27% payout — extraordinarily high compared to the typical 5% minimum. This may reflect a strategic spending-down period or one-time large commitments. - Hands-on engagement: Unlike most peer foundations that maintain professional distance, TFTF explicitly offers board involvement and operational guidance to grantees. - Breadth of eligibility: While peer foundations like Nellie Mae focus narrowly on education, TFTF funds across all human services categories. - Corporate heritage: Founded from Town Fair Tire company wealth, TFTF retains a business-minded approach emphasizing leverage, matching, and measurable impact.

## Recent Activity and Strategic Developments

Dramatic Increase in Charitable Disbursements (2024): The most significant recent development is TFTF's massive increase in grantmaking — from $3.2M in 2023 to $12.4M in 2024. This four-fold increase, combined with a net loss of $10.7M for the fiscal year, suggests the foundation may be entering an accelerated giving phase or responding to major community needs.

Leadership Structure: As of 2024, Michael Eisenson serves as President & Treasurer (unpaid), with Michael Mellen (founder Neil Mellen's family member) as Vice President/Secretary. The 10-person board includes directors Michael Barbaro, Kathryn Tutino, Ralph S. Loew, Deborah Marenna, David Litvinoff, and Daniel D. Rubino, plus associates Anthony Mongillo and Fredrick Marenna. This family-and-associates governance model is typical of corporate-origin foundations.

Application Portal Status: As of early 2026, TFTF's application process is not actively open to unsolicited proposals. The foundation appears to be operating in an invitation-only or relationship-based grantmaking mode, directing interested organizations to email for future consideration.

Continued New England Focus: Despite some national giving, the foundation maintains its primary commitment to the six New England states, with Connecticut remaining the geographic center of gravity. The foundation's address is listed with c/o Paul McCoy Family Office Services, indicating professional wealth management infrastructure supporting the grantmaking operation.

## Application Tips for Town Fair Tire Foundation

1. Build a Relationship Before You Apply. TFTF is not currently accepting open applications. The foundation operates on a relationship-driven model. Reach out via email to introduce your organization and express interest in future funding. Reference specific alignment with their mission areas.

2. Emphasize Self-Reliance and Empowerment. The foundation's core philosophy is "pay it forward" — they want to fund programs that help people become independent, not perpetually dependent on services. Frame your work in terms of long-term outcomes and beneficiary empowerment.

3. Propose Multi-Year or Matching Structures. TFTF primarily structures gifts as multi-year or matching grants. Come prepared with a multi-year plan showing how sustained funding will compound impact. If you can bring matching funds from other sources, highlight this prominently.

4. Demonstrate Collaborative Potential. The foundation explicitly encourages collaborative funding and public-private partnerships. Show how their grant would catalyze additional investment or how you partner with government agencies, other funders, or private-sector entities.

5. Prepare for Active Engagement. Unlike funders who prefer a check-and-report relationship, TFTF offers guidance, direction, and board involvement. Welcome this — frame it as an asset, not oversight. Organizations that embrace this partnership model are more likely to receive repeat funding (as evidenced by Mainstay Supportive Housing receiving grants in consecutive years).

6. Serve New England Communities, Especially Connecticut. While the foundation does give nationally, its geographic heartland is the six New England states. Connecticut-based organizations serving people experiencing poverty have the strongest natural alignment.

7. Be Prepared for Due Diligence. The foundation conducts thorough evaluation including site visits. Ensure your financial house is in order, your impact metrics are current, and your facility/operations can withstand scrutiny.

8. Start Small if Needed. With grant sizes ranging from $1,000 to millions, TFTF funds organizations at every scale — from startup nonprofits to well-established institutions. Don't be deterred by the foundation's large asset base; they have a track record of supporting small organizations.