making GREATER MERIDEN BETTER

Grant Application Guidelines

The Cuno Foundation was established in 1947 by Charles H. Cuno, of Meriden, for the purpose of distributing funds for such public, charitable, or educational uses as will assist, encourage and promote the well-being of mankind and primarily of the inhabitants of the City of Meriden and its vicinity regardless of race, color or creed. The trust stipulates that the Trustee must distribute the Trust’s income as directed by the Distribution Committee of the Cuno Foundation which is responsible for all grant-making decisions.

The Cuno Foundation reviews applications three times a year. Applications must be submitted on or before the deadline date as stipulated on this website.  Grant applicants will be unable to finalize an unsubmitted application after this deadline.  As a general rule, organizations are not awarded more than one grant per calendar year.

For the 2024 application cycle, the following are the application deadline dates:

  • April 15, 2024
  • September 15, 2024
  • December 15, 2024

Deadlines are strictly enforced.

Supporting documentation (if required) should be uploaded as directed in the online application process. 

Grants are usually made for specific, tangible items or capital expense requests that directly benefit the recipient. The Cuno Foundation does not grant funds for salaries. Applicants will be notified of the grant decision, via email, approximately 30 days after consideration by the Distribution Committee. Grant recipients must provide a Progress Report, which will be available to the grant recipient via the online Grant area, within one year of the grant award.

All grant requests must be submitted by a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization or have a fiscal agent submit on your behalf using the fiscal agent’s Employer Identification Number (EIN). Funds can only be distributed to qualified non-profit organizations. 

Necessary Supporting Information to be Included in Grant

  1. A copy of the organization's income statement and balance sheet (uploaded with application).
  2. A copy of the budget for the program and purpose of the grant requested (uploaded with application).
  3. A list of the organization’s Board of Directors and Officers (uploaded with application).
  4. Most recent IRS Form 990 (uploaded with application).

First Time Grantees:

A copy of the IRS Exempt Determination Letter must be uploaded with the grant application.

Please Understand the Criteria the Distribution Committee Follows:

  • Grants will be for activities conducted primarily in Meriden and neighboring communities by tax-exempt, not-for-profit organizations
  • The Grantee must demonstrate financial responsibility. 
  • Special consideration is given to those agencies that seek additional funding from other sources and do not rely solely on the Cuno Foundation for funding.
  • As a general rule, organizations are not awarded more than one grant per calendar year.

All grant applications must be submitted via the Grants area on CunoFoundation.com. Please contact Trudy Cotton at 203-443-5594 with questions regarding eligibility or any part of the application process.