Community foundation · EIN 01-0391479
Maine Community Foundation Inc
Ellsworth, ME
Maine Community Foundation Inc is a community foundation based in Ellsworth, ME. On its Form 990 (Schedule I) for tax year 2024, it reported $68M in grants paid across 2,803 grants, with $808M in total assets. Its largest grants went to Maine Farmland Trust, Northeastern University and Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund.
How to request funding
Community foundations usually run open grant rounds for nonprofits in their area, alongside donor-advised funds that donors direct. Check Maine Community Foundation Inc's website for current grant opportunities, deadlines and eligibility.
How it makes and monitors grants (Schedule I, Part IV)
Grant payments to organizations are initiated by recommendation from a donor, review committee, or by the terms outlined in the fund agreement. Grants initiated by a donor or review committee are authorized via a grant recommendation form or minutes of the committee meeting. Grants initiated by the fund agreement are scheduled for payment according to the terms set forth in the fund agreement. Prior to awarding a grant, a determination is made that the organization is a qualified US charitable organization as described in Section 170(c)(1) or (2) of the Internal Revenue Code. For grants to organizations, an award letter is sent with each grant check. The award letter clearly states the purpose of the grant and the terms of the award which include that the organization will use the grant only for the purpose stated in the letter. The award letter also states that by depositing the grant check, the organization agrees to and accepts the terms of the award. There are several follow-up activities employed to monitor the use of grant funds to organizations. For grants issued from a field of interest fund, the organization receiving the grant is expected to prepare a project evaluation. Donors may request project evaluations for grants issued by donor advised funds. Some of the awarding committees meet with grant recipients. Workshops and planning sessions are offered for some of the grant recipients. In some cases, recipients of grants from designated funds are required to submit
Grants as reported on its Form 990 for tax year 2024; the application guidance above is general for this type of funder. Requirements change; confirm with the organization before applying.
Mission
To bring people and resources together to build a better Maine.
As stated on its Form 990.
Largest grants, tax year 2024
Historical data · not a prediction| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine Farmland Trust | Belfast, ME | Farmland Preservation | $2,487,900 |
| Northeastern University | Boston, MA | Education | $1,733,145 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | Cincinnati, OH | Philanthropy | $801,573 |
| First Nations Development Institute | Longmont, CO | Research | $600,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Arlington, VA | Environment | $558,590 |
| Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness NPC | Bangor, ME | Human Services, Transportation, Building Repairs | $554,000 |
| Maine Audubon Society | Falmouth, ME | Environment, Professional Development | $546,055 |
| Sustainable Markets Foundation | New York City, NY | Natural Resources Conservation & Protection | $536,000 |
| Mitchell Institute | Portland, ME | Education | $522,030 |
| Opera House Arts | Stonington, ME | Performing Arts | $520,500 |
| Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences | East Boothbay, ME | Marine Science & Oceanography | $519,560 |
| Bement School Inc | Deerfield, MA | Education | $398,947 |
| EarthJustice | San Francisco, CA | Wildlife Preservation & Protection | $395,000 |
| Maine Public | Lewiston, ME | Television, Environment | $387,995 |
| Northern Forest Center | Concord, NH | Forest Conservation | $387,750 |
| Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust | Damariscotta, ME | Food Programs | $383,990 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maine | Portland, ME | Boys & Girls Clubs, Campership, Emergency Hardship | $367,822 |
| Center for Climate Integrity | Washington, DC | Research | $350,000 |
| Wild Foundation | Boulder, CO | Alliances & Advocacy | $350,000 |
| Maine Coast Fishermen's Association | Brunswick, ME | Water Resources, Wetlands Conservation & Management | $346,761 |
| Savanna Institute | Madison, WI | Agricultural Programs | $340,000 |
| Preble Street | Portland, ME | Homeless Shelters, Transportation, Food Programs | $337,630 |
| University of Maine Foundation | Orono, ME | Education, Arts | $332,640 |
| Friends of the St Lawrence Church | Portland, ME | Performing Arts | $327,750 |
| State of Maine | Augusta, ME | Environment | $326,000 |
The 25 largest of 2,803 grants listed on the return. 1,642 grants to individuals ($8.01M) are counted but not named. Names and purposes as reported to the IRS.
Where its grants went
- Maine$37.6M · 874 grants
- Massachusetts$4.19M · 42 grants
- California$2.7M · 39 grants
- New York$1.86M · 30 grants
- District of Columbia$1.71M · 25 grants
- Colorado$1.31M · 9 grants
- Washington$1.08M · 18 grants
- Virginia$1.04M · 9 grants
- Ohio$852K · 2 grants
- New Hampshire$735K · 17 grants
- Vermont$601K · 12 grants
- Oregon$471K · 9 grants
Quick answers
Does Maine Community Foundation Inc accept grant applications?
Community foundations usually run open grant rounds for nonprofits in their area, alongside donor-advised funds that donors direct. Check Maine Community Foundation Inc's website for current grant opportunities, deadlines and eligibility. Form 990 does not report an application process, so confirm with the organization.
How much does Maine Community Foundation Inc give each year?
For tax year 2024, it reported $67,975,345 in grants paid (2,803 grants). Giving can change from year to year.
What organizations has Maine Community Foundation Inc funded?
Its largest grants in tax year 2024 went to Maine Farmland Trust (ME), $2.49M, Northeastern University (MA), $1.73M, Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund (OH), $802K, First Nations Development Institute (CO), $600K and The Nature Conservancy (VA), $559K.