There are multiple organizations operating under the Ahimsa Foundation name. The primary grantmaking foundation is based in South Windham, Maine, and operates with a Boston, Massachusetts office. It is a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 1982 that provides philanthropic support to animal welfare and environmentally related causes. A separate Ahimsa Foundation entity is based in Niwot, Colorado and operates as a private foundation with significantly larger assets.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$25.7M
+12.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$828K
-8.8% YoY
Grant Count
62
-7.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
-1.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
South Windham/Boston Entity: The foundation's mission is to support organizations involved in the care and protection of animals. It provides funding to charities that support animals and environmentally related causes, with particular emphasis on organizations that provide direct care to animals. The foundation specifically seeks to help smaller shelters and animal-serving nonprofits, filling a critical gap in funding for grassroots organizations.
Niwot, Colorado Entity: This entity focuses on philanthropy, voluntarism, grantmaking, private grantmaking, and food, agriculture, and nutrition causes.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** $5,000–$30,000 (average approximately $14,400 per grant)
Invitation Only
** Invitation only; the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and proactively identifies organizations aligned with their mission
Ready to take the next step with Ahimsa Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
South Windham/Boston Entity: United States-based 501(c)(3) organizations only
Niwot, Colorado Entity: Primary focus areas include Georgia, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
South Windham/Boston Entity (as of December 2024):
- Total Assets: $25,732,005
- Total Revenue: $1,040,393
- Total Expenses: $1,240,735
- Investment Income and Dividends: $533,205
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $507,188
- Total Liabilities: $58,400
- Charity Navigator Rating: 86% (Three-Star rating)
Niwot, Colorado Entity (as of December 2024):
- Total Assets: $1,011,593,188
- Total Revenue: $160,000,000
- Total Expenses: $80,000,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $25,732,005 | $22,924,376 | $20,625,393 |
| Revenue | $1,040,393 | $903,513 | $195,836 |
| Expenses | $1,240,735 | $1,210,046 | $1,282,410 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,040,393 | $903,513 | $195,836 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals ($80,000), New England Wildlife Center ($60,000), Homecoming Farm Inc ($35,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACE OF HEARTS INC PACIFIC PALISADES, CA | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS | $9,000 |
| ACTION PROGRAMS FOR ANIMALS (APA) LAS CRUCES, NM | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS | $8,000 |
| ANIMAL FRIENDS ALLIANCE FORT COLLINS, CO | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS | $9,000 |
| BEYOND NINE CAT RESCUE INC POMPANO BEACH, FL | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS | $8,000 |
| BOBBI AND THE STRAYS INC FREEPORT, NY | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS | $6,000 |
| BOB'S HOUSE FOR DOGS EAU CLAIRE, WI | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS | $10,000 |
| BORN FREE USA SILVER SPRING, MD | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS | $10,000 |
| CARE (CAT ASSISTANCE REFERRAL & EDUCATION) SHERMAN OAKS, CA | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS | $9,000 |
| CENTER FOR WILDLIFE INC CAPE NEDDICK, ME | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS | $13,000 |
| CITY CRITTERS INC NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS | $32,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
South Windham/Boston Entity:
- Executive Administrator: Jen Bonnett
- Secretary: John Graham, Esq.
- Trustee: Katrina Bergman
- Staff: 1 employee and 5 volunteers
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATE ITURRALDE | CHAIRMAN/TRUSTEE | 1 | $500 |
| MERIS BICKFORD | TREASURER/TRUSTEE | 2 | $500 |
| CAROL AIRIS | TRUSTEE | 1 | $500 |
| HOLLY STAVER | TRUSTEE | 1 | $500 |
| KATRINA BERGMAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | $500 |
| JOHN GRAHAM | SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| CAROLYN HINKLE | EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR | 10 | $55,380 |
| JEN BONNETT | EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR | 11 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Niwot, Colorado-based Ahimsa Foundation affiliate provided $100 million in senior secured financing to Beyond Meat, Inc. in 2025, supporting the plant-based food company's operations and strategic initiatives.
Beyond Meat Secures $100 Million From Ahimsa Foods AffiliateContact Information
South Windham/Boston Entity:
- Mailing Address: Ahimsa Foundation c/o MSSPA, PO Box 10, South Windham, ME 04082
- Phone: (857) 248-5007
- Email: info@ahimsafoundationboston.org
- Website: https://ahimsafoundationboston.org/
- Note: The foundation does not accept in-person visitors
Boston Office Address: 90 Canal Street, Boston, MA 02114-2018
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ahimsa Foundation fund?
**South Windham/Boston Entity:** The foundation's mission is to support organizations involved in the care and protection of animals. It provides funding to charities that support animals and environmentally related causes, with particular emphasis on organizations that provide direct care to animals. The foundation specifically seeks to help smaller shelters and animal-serving nonprofits, filling a critical gap in funding for grassroots organizations. **Niwot, Colorado Entity:** This entity fo…
How do I apply for a grant from Ahimsa Foundation?
**South Windham/Boston Entity:** • **Grant Range:** $5,000–$30,000 (average approximately $14,400 per grant) • **Annual Giving:** $964,000 (2023); $874,276 (2024) • **Number of Grants:** 67 awards in 2023 • **Application Process:** Invitation only; the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and proactively identifies organizations aligned with their mission • **Decision Timeline:** Typically twice annually (May and August cycles historically); approximately 3 months • **Program Spend …
Where does Ahimsa Foundation make grants?
**South Windham/Boston Entity:** United States-based 501(c)(3) organizations only **Niwot, Colorado Entity:** Primary focus areas include Georgia, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania
What size grants does Ahimsa Foundation award?
In 2024, Ahimsa Foundation awarded 62 grants totaling $828K — an average of about $13K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Ahimsa Foundation's EIN?
Ahimsa Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-2749858. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ahimsa Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Grand Chapter of Maine Order of the Eastern Star
AUGUSTA, ME
Assets
$2.9M
Grants
1
Total Given
$5K
Bangor Theological Seminary
PORTLAND, ME
Assets
$22.4M
Grants
3
Total Given
$11K
Maine Hospital Association Inc
AUGUSTA, ME
Assets
$8.0M
Grants
1
Total Given
$10K
The Ruth J Jones Charitable Foundation
DAMARISCOTTA, ME
Assets
$3.2M
Grants
18
Total Given
$255K
Bowery Beach School Bldg Maintenance Tr
SOUTH PORTLAND, ME
Assets
$29K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
United Way of Tri Vally Area
FARMINGTON, ME
Assets
$306K
Grants
13
Total Given
$77K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Ahimsa Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Ahimsa Foundation to a real strategy.