Foundations that fund environmental groups in Maine
These 25 foundations made grants to environmental groups in Maine in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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Onion Foundation
- $625,000 to Momentum Conservation, Portland: To provide technical and financial support to land trusts
- $30,000 to Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Topsham: To support Maine Land Trust Network's Land Trust Census
- $30,000 to Wild Seed Project, North Yarmouth: To implement experiential ecology programs in schools with accompanying teacher training
How to apply: To submit an application, applicants may go to the Foundation's online grant portal to set up an account: https://www.onionfoundation.org/for-grantees Onion Foundation offers grants through its Arts Program and its Environment Program. Please review the appropriate program page...
Deadlines: Application links are posted on the program pages when the application period is open.
Restrictions: To apply for and receive a grant, your organization must be a 501(c)3 public charity as designated by the IRS, operate under a fiscal sponsor that is a qualified 501(c)3 public charity, be a public education institution, or be a Maine...
John Sage Foundation
- $9,000 to Cobalt, Portland: 2025 grant award
- $7,500 to Coastal Mountains Land Trust, Camden: 2025 grant award
- $7,500 to Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation, Bangor: 2025 grant award
How to apply: Refer to www.johnsagefoundation.org/application-form.html
Deadlines: April 30
Restrictions: Refer to www.johnsagefoundation.org/grant-guidelines.html
Fidelity Foundation
- $600,000 to Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Topsham: Personnel
- $500,000 to Frenchman Bay Conservancy, Hancock: Acquisition for preservation
- $500,000 to Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Topsham: Personnel
How to apply: Https://www.fidelityfoundation.org/applying-and-reporting/letter-of-inquiry/
Restrictions: Http://www.fidelityfoundation.org/grantmaking-guidelines/
Elsie & William Viles Foundation C/O Mark L Johnston Treasurer
- $79,900 to Viles Arboretum, Augusta: General operating support
- $15,000 to Kennebec Land Trust, Winthrop: Accessible trail/parking area
- $7,500 to Friends of the Kennebec River Rail Trail, Augusta: Engineering assessment
How to apply: The application form, submission materials, and other application information can be found online at: https://www.elsieandwilliamvilesfoundation.org/Application/ To request funding, applicants should be prepared to submit a cover letter, proof of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and...
Deadlines: Applications open April and are due by May. Recipients are notified in July.
Restrictions: The Foundation only provides funding for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes as are permitted to organizations exempt from federal income tax and described in section 501(c)(3) of the code, including without...
Fisher Charitable Foundation
- $5,000 to Maine Lobster Community Alliance, Kennebunk: Establish the maine lobster data trust
- $4,000 to Friends of Baxter State Park, Belfast: Engage youth as environmental stewards
- $3,000 to Friends of Casco Bay, South Portland: General operating support
How to apply: Information and a grant application can be found on the foundation's website https://fishercharitablefoundation.org/application-procedures/
Deadlines: February 15, may 15, august 15, november 15
Restrictions: The foundation generally limits its grants to charitable organizations, activities, operations or purposes which take place within the state of maine.
The Baird Foundation
- $2,000 to Downeast Coastal Conservancy, Machias: Unrestricted
- $2,000 to Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Topsham: Unrestricted
- $1,000 to Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Winter Harbor: Unrestricted
How to apply: Written application stating amount and purpose of request. Include 501(c)(3) exemption, financial statements, and list of board of directors. Application must be signed by person on the governing board receiving no compensation from the organization.
Restrictions: Preferences to awards in the western new york area.
Mildred H Mcevoy Foundation
- $30,000 to Boothbay Harbor Waterfront Preservation, Boothbay Harbor: Charitable
- $25,000 to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Inc, Boothbay: Charitable
- $15,000 to Oceanswide, Newcastle: Charitable
How to apply: Proposal should be in a letter form outlining goals and objectives along with a project plan and budget. Include evidence of 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.
Deadlines: Requests should be received prior to june 1st of a given tax year.
Restrictions: Grants are provided to health, educational, cultural and human service organizations based in boothbay, me and worcester, ma.
Fields Pond Foundation Inc
- $20,000 to Scarborough Land Conservation Trust, Scarborough: Toward protection of priority habit with the expansion of silver brook preserve adding...
- $10,000 to Midcoast Conservancy, Edgecomb: Toward a new bridge for kidney pond trail and drainage improvements at hidden valley...
- $10,000 to Blue Hill Heritage Trust, Blue Hill: Toward acquisition of 58 acres of woodland that abuts and provides public access to bhhts...
How to apply: *we are pleased to accept proposals prepared under the philanthropy ma common grant application format. Other full proposals need not be more than three or four pages long, plus attachments but should include the following:*concise description of the purpose for which the grant...
Deadlines: Proposals and concept papers may be submitted at any time
Restrictions: The expected range of grants is $500 to $25,000 with most grants falling within the range of $5,000 to $15,000. The foundation is willing to consider multiple-year grants. As a normal practice, the foundation is unlikely to make the...
Ploughshares Foundation
- $20,000 to Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Topsham: General
- $12,000 to Georges River Land Trust, Rockland: General
- $8,000 to Acadia Center, Rockport: General
How to apply: All applications must be in written form. They must include a description of the organization which is submitting the application, the grant amount(s) requested by such organization and the use which the submitting organization intends to make of any grant(s) that may be...
Deadlines: No
Restrictions: No
Narragansett Number One Foundation
- $10,000 to Friends of Baxter State Park, Belfast: Support youth development in nature
- $10,000 to Lake Stewards of Maine, Auburn: Provide general operating support to
- $4,000 to Friends of Casco Bay, Portland: Support program that monitors the he
How to apply: Written application is required
Deadlines: Applications are due between november 1 and april 1 of each year.
Restrictions: The foundation makes the majority of its grants to public charities in the town of buxton, maine and surrounding areas.
Charles L Read Foundation C/O Saul Eisenberg Treasurer
- $4,000 to Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Brunswick: Purchase of capital items
- $4,000 to Phippsburg Land Trust, Phippsburg: Purcase of capital items
- $3,500 to Friends of Casco Bay, Sportland: Purchase of capital items
How to apply: Applicants should submit a brief resume of activities for which the grant is desired. The latest financial statement and copy of irs exemption letter should be sent at the same time.
Lloyd A Fry Foundation
- $8,000 to Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust Inc, Rangeley: For general operating support
- $2,000 to 7 Lakes Alliance, Belgrade Lakes: For general operating support
- $1,000 to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Inc, Boothbay: For general operating support
How to apply: Please visit: https://www.fryfoundation.org/how-to-apply/overview/
Deadlines: Please visit: https://www.fryfoundation.org/how-to-apply/deadlines/
Restrictions: Please visit: https://www.fryfoundation.org/how-to-apply/overview/
Cleveland H Dodge Foundation Inc
- $3,000 to Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, Winter Harbor: General support
- $2,500 to Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Topsham: General support
- $1,500 to Coastal Mountains Land Trust, Camden: General support
How to apply: See foundation's website https://www.chdodgefoundation.org/grants
Deadlines: See foundation's website https://www.chdodgefoundation.org/grants
Restrictions: See foundation's website https://www.chdodgefoundation.org/guidelines
Harrison Foundation
- $2,500 to Forest Society of Maine, Bangor: Unrestricted gift
- $2,000 to Maine Tree Foundation, Augusta: Unrestricted gift
- $2,000 to Loon Echo Land Trust, Bridgton: Unrestricted gift
How to apply: Letter form and provide copy of irs tax exempt determination letter.
Restrictions: No restrictions
Maple Grove Foundation
- $3,000 to Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust, Damariscotta: Program services
- $1,000 to Friends of Hog Island, Bremen: Program services
- $1,000 to Wild Seed Project, North Yarmouth: Program services
How to apply: No specific application format is required by this foundation.
Deadlines: The foundation presently does not have any application submission deadlines.
Restrictions: The foundation presently does not have any formal limitations or restrictions on awards it grants.
The Schmidt Family Foundation
- $125,000 to Upstream, Damariscotta: Advancing sustainable materials
- $28,719 to Island Heritage Trust Inc, Deer Isle: Supporting local communities
How to apply: Online process, please see details at the websites: https://tsffoundation.org/ https://www.schmidtmarine.org/
Deadlines: Online process, please see details at: https://tsffoundation.org/. Https://www.schmidtmarine.org/
Restrictions: Online process, please see details at the websites: https://tsffoundation.org/ https://www.schmidtmarine.org/
The Windover Foundation
- $100,000 to Kennebec Land Trust, Winthrop: General
- $2,500 to Blue Hill Heritage Trust, Blue Hill: General
How to apply: No formal application
Deadlines: None adopted
Bafflin Foundation
- $75,000 to Forest Society of Maine, Bangor: Land conservation
- $25,000 to Blue Hill Heritage Trust, Blue Hill: Land conservation
How to apply: No special form.
Deadlines: None.
Restrictions: Current primary charitable fields include art museums and the preservation of land and wildlife.
The Ausolus Trust C/O Boston Family Office George P Beal
- $57,000 to Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Topsham: Exempt purpose
- $10,000 to Friends of Acadia, Bar Harbor: Exempt purpose
How to apply: No particular format
Deadlines: August 15th
John M Hopwood Irr
- $50,000 to Forest Society of Maine, Bangor: General
- $10,000 to Laudholm Trust, Wells: Blue crab research
How to apply: See footnotes
Deadlines: See footnotes
Restrictions: See footnotes
E Newbold & Margaret Dupont Smith F Foundation (Dba Thornedge Fdn)
- $31,000 to Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Northeast Harbor: Further conservational purposes
- $23,500 to Friends of Acadia, Bar Harbor: Further conservational purposes
How to apply: One-page letter describing reason for the grant along with financial statements. Also include a copy of irs exemption approval.
Restrictions: Greater philadephia area and board approval of the applications
P Mudge Irr- Mudge Fdn
- $26,000 to Coastal Mountains Land Trust, Camden: General support
- $25,000 to Natural Resources Council Inc, Augusta: General support
How to apply: See footnotes
Deadlines: See footnotes
Restrictions: See footnotes
Maine Health Access Foundation Inc
- $25,000 to Growsmart Maine, Augusta: Transportation; data and story collection projects
- $10,000 to Defend Our Health, Portland: Immigrant environmental health and low-income housing
How to apply: Grant applications are submitted via MeHAF's on-line grants management system, which can be accessed via the Grants Center on the MeHAF website: http://www.mehaf.org/grants- center/grantseekers/. Applications for several grant programs, including Discretionary Grants, Community...
Deadlines: Deadlines are outlined on the MeHAF website; open funding is available for select programs.
Restrictions: The foundation generally limits its grant awards offered through competitive RFPs to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organizations, educational institutions, governmental entities, tribal organizations, or other public, non-profit...
Island Foundation Inc
- $20,000 to Upstream, Damariscotta: Accelerate the new reuse economy
- $15,000 to Acadia Center, Rockport: Accelerating climate action in massachusetts
How to apply: Applying is a two-step process - a letter of inquiry or phone call and sending the foundation a full proposal. Include with letter of inquiry a description of the project, or call the foundation to discuss the project idea. Include with the proposal a cover letter that specifies...
Deadlines: Due march 1st, june 1st, september 1st, december 1st for funds to be distributed the following month
Restrictions: The foundation does not support requests from individuals, religious organizations or for profit organizations.
Colket Family Foundation
- $25,000 to Friends of Acadia, Bar Harbor: General gift - unrestricted
- $5,000 to Friends of Acadia, Bar Harbor: Restricted use - ranger housing
How to apply: In writing
Restrictions: Educational, charitable, scientific, literary, and religious concerns only.
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