Funding search · EIN 010391479 · Ellsworth, ME

Maine Community Foundation

Name: Maine Community Foundation grants, 2022–2024
Creator: PaperOrbit
License: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organization-public-disclosure-and-availability-requirements

A grantmaking public charity (files IRS Form 990, Schedule I). Charities like this often run real grant programs with application cycles.

3,243
grants reported: $159.7M
total given: 2022–2024
filing years: $16,750
median grant

Based on grants this organization reported to the IRS for tax years 2022–2024. This is what they filed, not a complete record of their giving, and recent years may be incomplete because filings lag.

What they fund

conservation resources education protection development arts services religious

Funder website ↗Full IRS filings ↗How this is built Report an error

Funding pattern

What this funder pays for, at what size, and how to position adjacent work. Read from their filings, with every number checked against the record.

Where the money goes

Land, forest, and marine conservation across Maine
Environmental advocacy, litigation, and pollution research nationally
Food security, farmland preservation, and working agriculture
Human services: homelessness, immigrant support, emergency hardship
Arts, museums, historical societies, and performing arts in Maine towns
Education, scholarships, and Maine colleges and universities

Typical grant

Median grant is $16,750, with the middle half between $10,000 and $45,525, so most of the record is small donor-advised and fund-directed awards. The seven-figure and mid-six-figure checks go to statewide conservation anchors like Maine Farmland Trust, marine science institutions, and a handful of large education recipients. With 3,243 grants to 1,788 recipients over three years, repeat giving is the norm rather than the exception.

Their words

Phrases from their own grant descriptions, worth speaking back to them.

“Natural Resources Conservation & Protection”
“Land Resources Conservation”
“Marine Science & Oceanography”
“Emergency Hardship”
“Professional Development”
“Food Programs”

Positioning adjacent work

Tie the work to Maine land, coast, or fisheries; that is where the biggest checks land.
Ask in the $10,000 to $45,000 band unless you are a statewide conservation or research anchor.
Pair a research question with a Maine community outcome: food access, working waterfront, or tribal partnership.
Name Wabanaki, Passamaquoddy, or Penobscot collaborators explicitly; tribal-led work draws large multi-purpose awards.

Worth knowing: This is a community foundation, so most giving flows through donor-advised and named funds, and 2,497 of 3,243 grants stayed in Maine. Out-of-state money concentrates in national environmental litigation and advocacy groups (Earthjustice, NRDC, Southern Environmental Law Center, Conservation Law Foundation), which suggests a small number of climate-focused donors driving those checks.

4 grants matching “marine and ocean science” · $737,570

$519,560
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences · East Boothbay, ME · 2024
Marine Science & Oceanography
$26,820
Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation · Portsmouth, NH · 2024
Marine Science & Oceanography
$124,815
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences · East Boothbay, ME · 2023
Marine Science & Oceanography
$66,375
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences · East Boothbay, ME · 2022
Marine Science & Oceanography

Top recipients

Repeat recipients are the strongest signal of whether a funder has an open door or quietly re-funds the same organizations.

Maine Farmland Trust3 grants · $12.0M
Maine Coast Heritage Trust3 grants · $4.0M
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund2 grants · $2.9M
Northeastern University2 grants · $1.8M
First Nations Development Institute3 grants · $1.8M
Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust3 grants · $1.2M
University of Maine Foundation3 grants · $1.2M
State of Maine3 grants · $1.2M
University of Maine System1 grant · $1.2M
Ketcha Outdoors2 grants · $1.2M

Giving over time

$48.7M

2022

$53.4M

2023

$57.6M

2024

Grant history

The 100 largest of 3,243 grants.

$4.8M
Maine Farmland Trust · Belfast, ME · 2022
Farmland Preservation
$4.7M
Maine Farmland Trust · Belfast, ME · 2023
Farmland Preservation
$3.4M
Maine Coast Heritage Trust · Topsham, ME · 2022
Environment
$2.5M
Maine Farmland Trust · Belfast, ME · 2024
Farmland Preservation
$2.1M
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Cincinnati, OH · 2022
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations
$1.7M
Northeastern University · Boston, MA · 2024
Education
$1.2M
University of Maine System · Orono, ME · 2022
Education, Transportation Programs, Building Maintenance
$1.2M
Harry E Davis Partnership for Children'S Oral Health · Yarmouth, ME · 2022
Health Care Support
$1.0M
Ketcha Outdoors · Scarborough, ME · 2022
Camps
$916,246
Maine Medical Education Trust Association Dr · Manchester, ME · 2023
Medical Disciplines
$801,573
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Cincinnati, OH · 2024
Philanthropy
$784,186
State of Maine · Augusta, ME · 2022
Climate Initiative, Rural Development, Land Resources Conservation, Rural Development, Search & Rescue Squads
$602,500
First Nations Development Institute · Longmont, CO · 2022
Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
$600,000
First Nations Development Institute · Longmont, CO · 2024
Research
$600,000
First Nations Development Institute · Longmont, CO · 2023
Research Institutes & Public Policy Analysis
$599,993
University of Maine Foundation · Orono, ME · 2023
Universities
$596,884
Treasurer State of Maine · Augusta, ME · 2023
Land Resources Conservation
$583,860
The Nature Conservancy · Brunswick, ME · 2023
Environment Support
$578,202
Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust · Damariscotta, ME · 2023
Water Resources, Wetlands Conservation & Management
$558,590
The Nature Conservancy · Arlington, VA · 2024
Environment
$554,000
Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness Npc · Bangor, ME · 2024
Human Services, Transportation, Building Repairs
$546,055
Maine Audubon Society · Falmouth, ME · 2024
Environment, Professional Development
$536,000
Sustainable Markets Foundation · New York City, NY · 2024
Natural Resources Conservation & Protection
$532,700
Friends of the St Lawrence Church · Portland, ME · 2023
Performing Arts, Historical Organizations
$522,030
Mitchell Institute · Portland, ME · 2024
Education
$520,500
Opera House Arts · Stonington, ME · 2024
Performing Arts
$519,560
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences · East Boothbay, ME · 2024
Marine Science & Oceanography
$510,000
Biddeford Pool Land Trust · Biddeford Pool, ME · 2023
Land Resources Conservation
$465,142
Mainehealth · Portland, ME · 2022
General Hospitals, Cancer Research
$449,500
Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness · Bangor, ME · 2022
Cultural Education, Food Pantries
$427,258
Forest Society of Maine · Bangor, ME · 2023
Land Resources Conservation
$420,320
Maine Historical Society · Portland, ME · 2023
Historical Societies & Historic Preservation
$411,888
Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries · Stonington, ME · 2023
Water Resources, Wetlands Conservation & Management
$405,000
Sustainable Markets Foundation · New York, NY · 2023
Natural Resources Conservation & Protection, Environmental Education
$400,000
Lake Stewards of Maine · Auburn, ME · 2022
Water Resources, Wetlands Conservation & Management
$398,947
Bement School · Deerfield, MA · 2024
Education
$395,000
Earthjustice · San Francisco, CA · 2024
Wildlife Preservation & Protection
$389,820
Gulf of Maine Research Institute · Portland, ME · 2023
Marine Science & Oceanography
$387,995
Maine Public · Lewiston, ME · 2024
Television, Environment
$387,750
Northern Forest Center · Concord, NH · 2024
Forest Conservation
$383,990
Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust · Damariscotta, ME · 2024
Food Programs
$367,822
Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maine · Portland, ME · 2024
Boys & Girls Clubs, Campership, Emergency Hardship
$362,565
Maine Coast Heritage Trust · Topsham, ME · 2023
Environment
$356,000
Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness · Bangor, ME · 2023
Mental Health & Crisis Intervention
$352,500
Sierra Club Foundation · Oakland, CA · 2023
Environment
$350,000
Center for Climate Integrity · Washington, DC · 2024
Research
$350,000
Wild Foundation · Boulder, CO · 2024
Alliances & Advocacy
$348,823
Downeast Institute · Beals, ME · 2023
Fisheries Resources
$348,750
Friends of Casco Bay · South Portland, ME · 2023
Water Resources, Wetlands Conservation & Management
$346,761
Maine Coast Fishermen'S Association · Brunswick, ME · 2024
Water Resources, Wetlands Conservation & Management
$340,000
Savanna Institute · Madison, WI · 2024
Agricultural Programs
$337,630
Preble Street · Portland, ME · 2024
Homeless Shelters, Transportation, Food Programs
$335,591
President and Trustees of Bates College · Lewiston, ME · 2023
Undergraduate Colleges
$332,640
University of Maine Foundation · Orono, ME · 2024
Education, Arts
$331,750
Maine Initiatives · Portland, ME · 2022
Social Equity, Community Support
$327,750
Friends of the St Lawrence Church · Portland, ME · 2024
Performing Arts
$326,000
State of Maine · Augusta, ME · 2024
Environment
$320,750
Midcoast Conservancy · Edgecomb, ME · 2023
Natural Resources Conservation & Protection
$320,000
Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point · Perry, ME · 2023
Food Programs, Wetlands Conservation & Management
$319,150
Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries · Stonington, ME · 2022
Marine Science & Oceanography, Water Resources, Wetlands Conservation & Management
$310,000
National Trust for Local News · Lexington, MA · 2023
Media & Communications
$307,428
University of New England · Portland, ME · 2023
Universities
$306,000
National Trust for Local News · Lexington, MA · 2024
Media & Communications
$304,310
Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association · Unity, ME · 2023
Professional Societies & Associations
$303,404
Gulf of Maine Research Institute · Portland, ME · 2024
Marine Science & Oceanography, Environment
$299,800
Preble Street · Portland, ME · 2022
Homeless Shelters, Food Pantry
$297,500
Maine Coast Fishermen'S Association · Brunswick, ME · 2023
Water Resources, Wetlands Conservation & Management
$292,750
Good Shepherd Food Bank · Auburn, ME · 2024
Food Programs
$286,507
Maine Historical Society · Portland, ME · 2024
Historical Societies, Transportation, Professional Development
$285,346
University of Maine Foundation · Orono, ME · 2022
Education, Museums
$284,600
United Society of Shakers · New Gloucester, ME · 2024
Museums
$283,540
St George Community Development Corporation · Tenants Harbor, ME · 2024
Human Services
$280,000
New England Aquarium · Boston, MA · 2022
Zoos & Aquariums
$276,591
New England Aquarium · Boston, MA · 2023
Zoos & Aquariums
$275,750
Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust · Damariscotta, ME · 2022
Food Banks & Pantries, Land Resources Conservation
$275,000
Rockefeller Family Fund · New York, NY · 2023
Environment
$273,000
Sierra Health Foundation Center for Health Program Management · Sacramento, CA · 2022
Racial Equity & Justice
$271,868
Sunrise County Economic Council · Machias, ME · 2022
Urban & Community Economic Development
$271,270
Forest Society of Maine · Bangor, ME · 2024
Land Resources Conservation
$270,000
Wolfes Neck Farm Foundation · Freeport, ME · 2024
Food, Agriculture & Nutrition
$265,250
The Bessemer Giving Fund · Woodbridge, NJ · 2024
Philanthropy
$265,000
Trust for Public Land · Portland, ME · 2024
Land Resources Conservation
$262,950
Maine Coast Heritage Trust · Topsham, ME · 2024
Environment
$260,000
Knox County Homeless Coalition · Rockland, ME · 2023
Homeless Centers
$251,757
Massachusetts General Hospital · Boston, MA · 2023
Health Care Support
$250,000
Community Change · Washington, DC · 2022
Voter Engagement
$250,000
International Fund for Animal Welfare · Yarmouth Port, MA · 2022
Animal Protection & Welfare
$248,300
Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project · Portland, ME · 2024
Legal Services
$247,490
Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association · Unity, ME · 2024
Agriculture
$244,000
Quality Housing Coalition · Portland, ME · 2023
Housing Support
$242,450
Knox County Homeless Coalition · Rockland, ME · 2022
Homeless Centers
$239,500
Natural Resources Defense Council · New York, NY · 2024
Natural Resources Conservation & Protection
$235,650
Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association · Unity, ME · 2022
Farming, Emergency Relief
$235,086
Preble Street · Portland, ME · 2023
Homeless Shelters
$232,617
Portland Community Squash · Portland, ME · 2022
Recreation & Sports
$232,250
Milestone Recovery · Portland, ME · 2024
Shelter, Transportation
$231,250
Natural Resources Defense Council · New York, NY · 2023
Natural Resources Conservation & Protection
$230,000
Windward Fund · Washington, DC · 2024
Natural Resources Conservation & Protection
$228,070
Healthy Acadia · Ellsworth, ME · 2024
Public Health, Professional Development, Food Programs
$227,800
Maine Huts & Trails · Kingfield, ME · 2024
Natural Resources Conservation & Protection

View all 3,243 grants →

Who else funds this kind of work

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Harold Alfond Foundation154 grants · $253.7M

Similar purposes

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National Fish and Wildlife Foundation3,150 grants · $1.09B
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation3,141 grants · $1.12B

Similar grant size

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Grants already paid are the record; PaperOrbit reads your paper and finds the funders whose record matches it — then explains why.

Search funders like this one

Source: IRS Form 990, Schedule I, as filed by this organization. These are grants already paid. Grants paid directly to individuals are reported to the IRS only as totals, so they do not appear as named lines here.