Updated Oct 28, 2026
Private foundations based in Maine
190 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Maine, holding $4.4B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 22 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harold Alfond Foundationsince 1994 | Portland, ME | $103M45 grants · 2024 | $250K | Yes | $1.5B |
| Puffin Bay Foundationsince 2024 | Biddeford, ME | $32M1 grants · 2025 | $32M | Preselected only | $743M |
| Td Charitable Foundationsince 2003 | Portland, ME | $25M1,003 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $9.1M |
| Elmina B Sewall Foundationsince 1983 | Freeport, ME | $14M296 grants · 2024 | $31K | Yes | $165M |
| John T Gorman Foundationsince 1995 | Portland, ME | $7.5M154 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $224M |
| Maine Health Access Foundation Incsince 2001 | Augusta, ME | $5.0M126 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $154M |
| Blue Horizons Foundationsince 2022 | Gorham, ME | $5.0M1 grants · 2024 | $5.0M | Preselected only | $240M |
| Onion Foundationsince 2014 | Wayne, ME | $4.4M245 grants · 2024 | $15K | Yes | $64M |
| Libra Foundation Owen W Wells Trusteesince 1990 | Portland, ME | $4.3M56 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Yes | $157M |
| Huber Foundationsince 1950 | Falmouth, ME | $3.7M9 grants · 2024 | $400K | Preselected only | $80M |
| The Bill and Joan Alfond Foundationsince 1987 | Portland, ME | $3.4M41 grants · 2024 | $14K | Yes | $31M |
| Sam L Cohen Foundationsince 2005 | Portland, ME | $3.3M125 grants · 2025 | $15K | Yes | $28M |
| The Pasculano Foundationsince 2008 | Cape Eliz, ME | $3.0M21 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $21M |
| Francis T & Louise T Nichols Foundationsince 1995 | Bangor, ME | $2.6M88 grants · 2024 | $18K | Yes | $21M |
| Albert B Glickman Family Foundationsince 1993 | Portland, ME | $2.4M97 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $19M |
| J Blair and Tena Frank Foundationsince 2017 | Portland, ME | $2.0M47 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $52M |
| The Lawrence Family Foundationsince 2017 | Holden, ME | $1.9M27 grants · 2025 | $2,000 | Preselected only | $15M |
| The Bob Crewe Foundationsince 2016 | Falmouth, ME | $1.7M26 grants · 2025 | $25K | Yes | $15M |
| Melmac Education Foundationsince 1983 | Augusta, ME | $1.6M151 grants · 2025 | $2,000 | Preselected only | $41M |
| Rocking Moon Foundation Incsince 2003 | Yarmouth, ME | $1.5M20 grants · 2025 | $38K | Preselected only | $15M |
| Roxanne Quimby Foundation Incsince 2016 | Portland, ME | $1.4M38 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $29M |
| Morton-Kelly Charitable Trsince 1989 | Portland, ME | $1.3M123 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $22M |
| Judy Glickman Lauder Foundationsince 2021 | Portland, ME | $1.3M9 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $24M |
| Abbagadassett Foundation Incsince 2017 | Bowdoinham, ME | $1.2M16 grants · 2025 | $80K | Preselected only | $13M |
| Bangor Savings Bank Foundationsince 1997 | Bangor, ME | $1.2M156 grants · 2024 | $4,750 | Yes | $7.0M |
| Sandy River Charitable Foundationsince 1997 | New Portland, ME | $1.1M28 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $38M |
| Quimby Family Foundationsince 2004 | Portland, ME | $1.1M97 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $22M |
| Oxford Hills Scholarship Foundationsince 1999 | South Paris, ME | $1.0M1 grants · 2024 | $1.0M | Preselected only | $8.3M |
| Burns Family Foundation Incsince 2014 | Damariscotta, ME | $1.0M34 grants · 2025 | $19K | Preselected only | $6.5M |
| The Toffey Family Charitablesince 1991 | Kennebunk, ME | $934K68 grants · 2024 | $3,000 | Preselected only | $7.5M |
| Schiavi Family Foundationsince 1992 | Portland, ME | $918K72 grants · 2025 | $7,500 | Preselected only | $38M |
| Kennebec Savings Bank Foundationsince 1985 | Augusta, ME | $866K120 grants · 2025 | $3,025 | Preselected only | $19M |
| Elsie & William Viles Foundationsince 1991 | Augusta, ME | $860K46 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $21M |
| Margaret E Burnham Charitable Trsince 1995 | Portland, ME | $758K1 grants · 2025 | $758K | Yes | $7.2M |
| Cascade Foundationsince 2006 | Rockport, ME | $735K34 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $13M |
| Evergreen Foundationsince 2008 | Georgetown, ME | $725K19 grants · 2024 | $30K | Preselected only | $10M |
| Moser Family Foundation Incsince 2006 | Portland, ME | $702K52 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $6.9M |
| Forum Foundationsince 2008 | S Portland, ME | $695K1 grants · 2025 | $695K | Preselected only | $6.9M |
| Marr-Anderson Family Foundationsince 2016 | Falmouth, ME | $681K33 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $19M |
| Anonimo Foundationsince 1990 | Damariscotta, ME | $676K37 grants · 2025 | $15K | Preselected only | $10M |
| Cianbro Charitable Foundationsince 1990 | Pittsfield, ME | $620K12 grants · 2025 | $13K | Yes | $12M |
| Usm Osher Map Library Foundationsince 2021 | Portland, ME | $580K2 grants · 2025 | $290K | Preselected only | $20M |
| The Sukeforth Family Foundationsince 1999 | South China, ME | $524K40 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $13M |
| Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundationsince 1986 | Belfast, ME | $476K5 grants · 2024 | $60K | Yes | $17M |
| Pond Family Foundationsince 2004 | Scarborough, ME | $468K52 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Yes | $9.8M |
| Thomas D Shaffner Charitable Foundationsince 2022 | Portland, ME | $455K6 grants · 2025 | $68K | Preselected only | $6.7M |
| Borman Family Foundationsince 1999 | Oakland, ME | $420K46 grants · 2024 | $7,000 | Preselected only | $11M |
| Redco Foundation Incsince 2002 | Portland, ME | $312K19 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $6.5M |
| Davenport Trust Fundsince 1957 | Bath, ME | $300K3 grants · 2024 | $110K | Yes | $6.7M |
| Ricker College Scholarship & Endowment Committee | Houlton, ME | $190K26 grants · 2025 | $2,000 | Yes | $6.8M |
| Rosscaresince 1984 | Brewer, ME | $161K1 grants · 2024 | $161K | Preselected only | $9.2M |
| Bridge to Work Foundation Incsince 2020 | Camden, ME | $137K6 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $6.7M |
| Shaw Brothers Family Foundation Incsince 2015 | Gorham, ME | $136K34 grants · 2025 | $1,000 | Preselected only | $38M |
| John Marin Foundationsince 2010 | Jonesport, ME | $123K6 grants · 2024 | $625 | Preselected only | $31M |
| Falcon Charitable Foundationsince 1995 | Damariscotta, ME | $20K1 grants · 2025 | $20K | Preselected only | $6.4M |
| Kahle-Austin Foundationsince 1998 | Biddeford, ME | — | — | Preselected only | $162M |
| Kahle-Austin Family Foundationsince 2021 | Biddeford, ME | — | — | Preselected only | $128M |
| Evelyn S and K E Barrett Foundationsince 2007 | York, ME | — | — | Not stated | $36M |
| G L Connolly Foundationsince 2003 | Raymond, ME | — | — | Not stated | $12M |
| Westbrook Development Corporationsince 1988 | Westbrook, ME | — | — | Preselected only | $8.8M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in Maine
All 2| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | Maine Arts Commission — Organizational GrantsStateMaine Arts Commission | Maine Arts Commission | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | Maine Humanities Council — Humanities GrantsStateMaine Humanities Council | Maine Humanities Council | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in Maine?
Our directory lists 190 private grantmaking foundations in Maine with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $4.4B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.