Abbagadassett Foundation Inc
Abbagadassett Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Bowdoinham, Maine. It supports nonprofit organizations and institutions that expand educational or scientific opportunities for people or communities in need, with a stated emphasis on internships and other in-depth learning opportunities.
Abbagadassett Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Abbagadassett Foundation Inc gave $1.2M across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $72K), mostly in Maine. 50% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,151,494
- +54.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- +60.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $71,968
- -3.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $80,125
- Total assets
- $13,404,538
- +6.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (8 of 16, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Maine (84% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Abbagadassett Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The 2025 filing states that the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its website describes an annual internship proposal process, but does not change that filing statement.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists June 16–September 15 for proposal submissions, decisions by November 1, and funding before January 1 of the following year. The stated September 15, 2026 deadline has passed.
- Deadline
- The website lists June 16–September 15 for proposal submissions, decisions by November 1, and funding before January 1…
- Contact
Mailing address: 95 Abbagadassett Road, Bowdoinham, ME 04008
Phone: (207) 666-3303
Website: https://www.abbagadassett.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Abbagadassett Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Maine College of Art Design ($100K). Together the top 10 received $915K.
Grant Size Distribution
47 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 26 grants of 47 (55%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says Maine may be a focus but that its giving is not limited by state or national boundaries. In 2025, 84% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maine, 9% to Maryland, and 7% to Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Abbagadassett Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
50%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 16 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $63K; repeat grants $81K. How we count
Medians: $67K first-time, $83K repeat.
- 50% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 98% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 180% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $461K (2020) to $1.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maine College of Art Design Portland, ME | To Support Organization | $100,000 |
| Blind Industries Services of Maryla Baltimore, MD | To Support Organization | $100,000 |
| Spurwink Services Portland, ME | To Support Organization | $99,991 |
| University of Southern Maine Founda Portland, ME | To Support Organization | $99,743 |
| Maine Public Broadcasting Network Portland, ME | To Support Organization | $99,348 |
| Maine Maritime Museum Bath, ME | To Support Organization | $90,820 |
| Healthcare for the Homeless Portland, ME | To Support Organization | $86,000 |
| Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Boothbay, ME | To Support Organization | $80,250 |
| Environmental and Energy Study Inst Washington, DC | To Support Organization | $80,000 |
| Restorative Justice Project Belfast, ME | To Support Organization | $78,582 |
Ready to take the next step with Abbagadassett Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $13,404,538 | $889,511 | $1,213,312 | $1,151,494 | 16 | $1,152,498 | $809,697 | $639,036 |
| 2024 | $12,648,556 | $601,081 | $803,029 | $744,863 | 10 | $746,060 | $545,111 | $609,728 |
| 2023 | $11,297,810 | $378,244 | $658,754 | $607,689 | 9 | $608,590 | $329,580 | $532,103 |
| 2022 | $10,135,301 | $217,462 | $631,932 | $580,501 | 6 | $581,792 | $167,322 | $531,408 |
| 2021 | $12,434,161 | $677,168 | $527,784 | $471,550 | 6 | $472,535 | $623,876 | $581,496 |
| 2020 | $10,979,228 | $234,929 | $306,261 | $460,750 | 7 | — | $192,563 | $474,445 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Abbagadassett Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $639K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to support organizations or institutions that increase educational or scientific opportunities for people or communities in need. It says its grants help nonprofits provide students with enhanced educational experiences, including internships and other in-depth learning opportunities. It encourages programs that offer practical work, skill development, career exploration, and mentorship, and that expand access for students facing socioeconomic barriers.
Its website describes funding internship programs at nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations. Recent grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported: Spurwink describes its work as behavioral health care, substance use disorder services, and support services; Maine Maritime Museum focuses on connecting people to the past, present, and future of Maine’s waterways; and Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens describes work in horticulture, education, plant science, and plant conservation.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation gave $1,151,494 through 16 grants. Grants ranged from $20,008 to $100,000, with a median of $80,125. Among the largest listed grants were $100,000 to Maine College of Art & Design, $100,000 to Blind Industries Services of Maryland, $99,991 to Spurwink Services, $99,743 to the University of Southern Maine Foundation, and $99,348 to Maine Public Broadcasting Network. Other listed grants included $90,820 to Maine Maritime Museum, $86,000 to Healthcare for the Homeless, and $80,250 to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.
The foundation’s website describes one-year internship grants, with an opportunity to apply for renewal. It encourages organizations to discuss a proposal before submitting a full application. The website requests a single PDF with the appropriate cover page, proposal instructions, and budget page for either an initial or renewal application. Budgets are generally not to exceed $100,000; intern pay must be at least $15 per hour, administrative costs may not exceed 10%, and any capital expenses must be justified. Internships required for a degree and earning academic credit are not generally funded; substantial mentorship and skill development are preferred. The website also encourages smaller organizations starting internship programs to apply.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Denham Ward as president and Hannah Ward as director.
Abbagadassett Foundation Inc is led by Denham Ward, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Denham Ward
President
Treasurer & Secretary → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hannah Ward
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Debra Lipscomb (2020–2021) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Abbagadassett Foundation Inc
How much does Abbagadassett Foundation Inc give each year?
Abbagadassett Foundation Inc gave $1.2M across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $745K across 10 grants.
What is Abbagadassett Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Abbagadassett Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $80,125, and its average grant was $71,968, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Abbagadassett Foundation Inc that year got $63K on average.
Where does Abbagadassett Foundation Inc give grants?
Abbagadassett Foundation Inc gives mostly in Maine: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Maryland (9%) and District of Columbia (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, ME (7 grants) and Bath, ME (2 grants).
Does Abbagadassett Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on Abbagadassett Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Support Organization" (16 grants).
Who are Abbagadassett Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Abbagadassett Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Maine College of Art Design ($100,000), Blind Industries Services of Maryla ($100,000) and Spurwink Services ($99,991), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Abbagadassett Foundation Inc?
Abbagadassett Foundation Inc reported $13.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $639K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Abbagadassett Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support organizations or institutions that increase educational or scientific opportunities for people or communities in need. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Abbagadassett Foundation Inc?
The 2025 filing states that the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Abbagadassett Foundation Inc's EIN?
Abbagadassett Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-1749192. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Abbagadassett Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 30, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Abbagadassett Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/abbagadassett-foundation-inc-morg_350d36d0e39b44c3913d304a282db098
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_821749192_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Abbagadassett Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/abbagadassett-foundation-inc-morg_350d36d0e39b44c3913d304a282db098},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Abbagadassett Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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