How to apply
The Foundation will only accept applications submitted through the Foundation's online grant system. Organizations may submit an application one time per calendar year. Some exceptions may be made in the case of fiscal sponsorships and multi-organization collaborations. Organizations with active multi-year grants must wait to apply for additional funding until the year in which the current grant-term ends. The Foundation's support for animal well-being is rooted in the interests of its founder and our recognition that the health and well-being of animals, people and environment are inextricab… Contact: Laura Dover, 15 Main Street Suite 230, Freeport, Me, 2073739206, info@sewallfoundation.org Deadlines: 2025 Applications were due by February, 2025. Grant decisions were announced in April, 2025. Restrictions: Applicants must be eligible to accept tax-deductible donations as outlined in Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. This includes 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt organizations, public schools, public agencies working for the State of Maine, or Indian tribal governments (and their political subdivisions) recognized by the Department of the Interior. The Foundation limits and prioritizes grant support to charitable work in Maine that aligns with its stated priorities. This requirement may be waived for a defined group of Legacy organizations. For nonprofits based in Maine, the Foundation wi…
Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2024 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.
Grants paid in 2024
Top 60 of 296 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV. Part XV itemizes $14M; Part I reports $5.1M in contributions paid
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise County Economic CouncilMachias, ME | General Operating Support | $580K |
| Maine Environmental Education AssociationBrunswick, ME | General Operating Support | $267K |
| United Somali Women of MaineLewiston, ME | General Operating Support | $261K |
| Maine AudubonFalmouth, ME | General Operating Support | $260K |
| New Learning JourneyWaitsfield, VT | General Operating Support | $225K |
| Center for an Ecology-Based EconomyNorway, ME | General Operating Support | $200K |
| Outdoor Sports Institute IncCaribou, ME | General Operating Support | $200K |
| Cooperative Development InstituteNorthampton, MA | General Operating Support | $185K |
| Maine Development FoundationAugusta, ME | General Operating Support | $185K |
| Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant PointPleasant Point, ME | General Operating Support | $180K |
| Our KatahdinMillinocket, ME | General Operating Support | $175K |
| Maine Immigrant & Refugee ServicesLewiston, ME | General Operating Support | $173K |
| Sunrise OpportunitiesMachias, ME | General Operating Support | $173K |
| Maine Initiatives IncPortland, ME | General Operating Support | $157K |
| Aroostook Band of MicmacsPresque Isle, ME | General Operating Support | $150K |
| Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research and EducationBeals, ME | General Operating Support | $150K |
| Four Directions Development CorporationOrono, ME | General Operating Support | $150K |
| Maliseet Community Development AuthorityLittleton, ME | General Operating Support | $150K |
| Community Concepts IncorporatedLewiston, ME | General Operating Support | $140K |
| Millinocket Regional HospitalMillinocket, ME | General Operating Support | $140K |
| Maine Coast Heritage TrustTopsham, ME | General Operating Support | $133K |
| Maine Community IntegrationLewiston, ME | General Operating Support | $125K |
| Rural Aspirations ProjectSwanville, ME | General Operating Support | $125K |
| Maine Association for the Education of Young ChildrenAugusta, ME | General Operating Support | $120K |
| Wabanaki Health and Wellness IncBangor, ME | General Operating Support | $118K |
| Hand in Hand Mano En ManoMilbridge, ME | General Operating Support | $115K |
| Land Peace FoundationMonroe, ME | General Operating Support | $115K |
| Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce FoundationLewiston, ME | General Operating Support | $115K |
| Maine Farmland Trust IncBelfast, ME | General Operating Support | $115K |
| Maine People's Resource CenterPortland, ME | General Operating Support | $110K |
| Third Sector New England IncBoston, MA | General Operating Support | $110K |
| Maine Immigrant Rights CoalitionPortland, ME | General Operating Support | $105K |
| Friends of Veterans' Memorial LibraryPatten, ME | General Operating Support | $100K |
| Houlton Band of Maliseet IndiansLittleton, ME | General Operating Support | $100K |
| Maine Federation of Farmers MarketsFreeport, ME | General Operating Support | $100K |
| Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (mmsa)Augusta, ME | General Operating Support | $100K |
| Millinocket Memorial LibraryMillinocket, ME | General Operating Support | $100K |
| The Trust for Public LandLos Angeles, CA | General Operating Support | $100K |
| Maine Conservation AllianceAugusta, ME | General Operating Support | $93K |
| Maine State Chamber of Commerce Education FoundationAugusta, ME | General Operating Support | $90K |
| Downeast Community Partners IncEllsworth, ME | General Operating Support | $85K |
| Penobscot NationIndian Island, ME | General Operating Support | $85K |
| Wayside Food ProgramsPortland, ME | General Operating Support | $85K |
| Cobscook Institute (aka Cobscook Community Learning Center)Trescott Township, ME | General Operating Support | $80K |
| Land in Common IncGreene, ME | General Operating Support | $80K |
| Maine Climate Action NowBar Harbor, ME | General Operating Support | $80K |
| Medical Care Development (aka McD Global Health)Hallowell, ME | General Operating Support | $80K |
| New England Grassroots Environment FundNewmarket, NH | General Operating Support | $80K |
| Presente MainePortland, ME | General Operating Support | $75K |
| Houlton Humane SocietyHoulton, ME | General Operating Support | $75K |
| Katahdin Children and Families FoundationPatten, ME | General Operating Support | $75K |
| Kennebec Valley Humane SocietyAugusta, ME | General Operating Support | $75K |
| Spirits PlaceNewport, ME | General Operating Support | $75K |
| Environmental Grantmakers AssociationNew York, NY | General Operating Support | $70K |
| LA ArtsLewiston, ME | General Operating Support | $70K |
| Maine Animal Health AllianceAugusta, ME | General Operating Support | $70K |
| Maine Philanthropy CenterPortland, ME | General Operating Support | $70K |
| Somali Bantu Community Lewiston of MaineLewiston, ME | General Operating Support | $70K |
| Blue Hill Heritage Trust IncBlue Hill, ME | General Operating Support | $65K |
| Coastal Enterprises IncBrunswick, ME | General Operating Support | $65K |
By state: Maine 260 · Massachusetts 7 · Vermont 2 · California 7 · New York 4 · New Hampshire 4
About this foundation
Elmina B Sewall Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Freeport, Maine, tax-exempt since 1983. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.
Does Elmina B Sewall Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. On its 2024 Form 990-PF the foundation indicates it accepts applications. The Foundation will only accept applications submitted through the Foundation's online grant system. Organizations may submit an application one time per calendar year. Deadlines: 2025 Applications were due by February, 2025. Grant decisions were announced in April, 2025..
How much does Elmina B Sewall Foundation give each year?
In tax year 2024 it paid $14M across 296 grants, a median of $31K.
Where does Elmina B Sewall Foundation give?
Maine (260 grants), Massachusetts (7 grants), Vermont (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.
More foundations near Freeport that accept applications
All in Maine| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harold Alfond Foundationsince 1994 | Portland, ME | $103M45 grants · 2024 | $250K | Yes | $1.5B |
| John T Gorman Foundationsince 1995 | Portland, ME | $7.5M154 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $224M |
| Libra Foundation Owen W Wells Trusteesince 1990 | Portland, ME | $4.3M56 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Yes | $157M |
| Maine Health Access Foundation Incsince 2001 | Augusta, ME | $5.0M126 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $154M |