Begin Family Foundation
Begin Family Foundation is a private foundation, based in Portland, ME. IRS filing data is available from 2024 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $313K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $10K. Net investment income was $3K.
Begin Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Begin Family Foundation gave $10K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in Maine. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $10,000
- +25.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- +20.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,667
- +4.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,500
- Total assets
- $313,372
- +12.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Maine (55% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Begin Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Downeast Institute ($3K). Together the top 6 received $10K.
Grant Size Distribution
11 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 11 grants of 11 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Begin Family Foundation gives
- In 2025 it paid out 80% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $8K (2024) to $10K (2025). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $10K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Downeast Institute Beals, ME | General operating support | $2,500 |
| American Camping Association New York City, NY | Wohelo camps campership fund | $1,500 |
| Americans for Oxford New York, NY | General operating support | $1,500 |
| Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland Westbrook, ME | General operating support | $1,500 |
| Downeast Salmon Federation Columbia Falls, ME | General operating support | $1,500 |
| Strive New York, NY | General operating support | $1,500 |
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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 | $313,372 | $-1,054 | $16,874 | $10,000 | 6 | $11,500 | $2,877 | $14,376 |
| 2024 | $278,988 | $390,248 | $8,030 | $8,000 | 5 | $8,000 | $124,309 | $7,848 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Begin Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $14K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Begin Family Foundation is led by Elizabeth W Begin, President & Trustee on every filing since 2024; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elizabeth W Begin
President & Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffory D Begin
Secretary & Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Samuel P Begin
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Cameron
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Pierce
Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2024–2025. "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 Begin Family Foundation
How much does Begin Family Foundation give each year?
Begin Family Foundation gave $10K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $8K across 5 grants.
What is Begin Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Begin Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,500, and its average grant was $1,667, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Begin Family Foundation give grants?
Begin Family Foundation gives mostly in Maine: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (45%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Begin Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 83% of Begin Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Begin Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Begin Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Downeast Institute ($2,500), American Camping Association ($1,500) and Americans for Oxford ($1,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Begin Family Foundation?
Begin Family Foundation reported $313K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $12K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $14K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is Begin Family Foundation's EIN?
Begin Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 99-0654454. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2024–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 19, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2024–2025
Live grants for the work Begin Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Begin Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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