Biddeford and Mechanics Savings
Biddeford and Mechanics Savings is a private foundation based in Westbrook, Maine. It makes grants to Maine nonprofit organizations, with its stated emphasis on basic needs and financial empowerment for individuals and families in its communities.
Biddeford and Mechanics Savings at a glance
In short: Biddeford and Mechanics Savings gave $167K across 29 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in Maine. 28% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $166,666
- -8.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 29
- +11.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,747
- -18.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $52,223
- -51.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (8 of 29, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Maine (100% 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 Biddeford and Mechanics Savings
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Organizations may submit a direct grant request online; the board may also identify potential recipients and require proposals and supporting materials.
- Contact
Application contact: Carri Brown Treasurer
Mailing address: 100 Larrabee Road Suite 400, Westbrook, ME 04092
Phone: (207) 791-1248
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Biddeford and Mechanics Savings funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was United Way of Southern Maine ($25K). Together the top 10 received $104K.
Grant Size Distribution
126 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 126 grants of 126 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Maine. The foundation places particular emphasis on Maine-based organizations operating in Androscoggin, Cumberland, and York Counties.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Biddeford and Mechanics Savings open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 29 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 69% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 39% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above 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 $118K (2020) to $186K (2021). In 2025 it made 29 grants totaling $167K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Way of Southern Maine Portland, ME | Keep ME warm Fund | $25,000 |
| Trinity Jubilee Center Lewiston, ME | General Purpose | $15,000 |
| My Place Teen Center Westbrook, ME | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| Presumpscot Regional Land Trust Gorham, ME | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| Tedford Housing Brunswick, ME | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| Safe Voices Auburn, ME | General Purpose | $8,333 |
| Tree Street Youth Lewiston, ME | General Purpose | $8,333 |
| Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project Portland, ME | General Purpose | $7,500 |
| Mainely Character Portland, ME | General Purpose | $5,000 |
| Preble Street Portland, ME | General Purpose | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Biddeford and Mechanics Savings?
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 | $52,223 | $102,973 | $169,276 | $166,666 | 29 | $168,151 | $1,848 | $10,757 |
| 2024 | $107,693 | $49,018 | $184,960 | $182,500 | 26 | $183,910 | $7,568 | $9,259 |
| 2023 | $268,635 | $12,348 | $142,707 | $135,834 | 23 | $137,144 | $11,348 | $15,960 |
| 2022 | $375,386 | $402,778 | $122,175 | $120,000 | 22 | $121,225 | $148,702 | $11,040 |
| 2021 | $298,458 | $15,136 | $194,232 | $185,707 | 26 | $186,857 | — | $17,142 |
| 2020 | $406,694 | $830,449 | $118,098 | $118,098 | 37 | — | $321,206 | $2,369 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Biddeford and Mechanics Savings reported a distributable amount of $11K 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 identifies health, housing, hunger, and aspiring youth as focus areas. Its filing also says it intends to support public education, community recreation, local library services, and services benefiting poor and underprivileged populations.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate a range of work. Trinity Jubilee Center says it addresses unmet needs among Lewiston-Auburn residents through basic-needs services and support for stability and self-sufficiency. Tedford Housing says it works to help people move from homelessness to home, including through prevention, outreach, shelter, and supportive housing. My Place Teen Center describes its work as providing youth with a safe haven, meals, resources, and support for academic, job-readiness, and life skills. Presumpscot Regional Land Trust says it conserves and stewards local lands and clean water and provides public access. Other 2025 grantees include Safe Voices, which provides individualized advocacy for survivors of abuse and violence, and the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, which helps low-income immigrants improve their legal status.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 29 grants totaling $166,666. Awards ranged from $2,500 to $25,000, with a median of $5,000. Among its largest grants were $25,000 to United Way of Southern Maine for the Keep ME Warm Fund; $15,000 to Trinity Jubilee Center; $10,000 each to My Place Teen Center, Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, and Tedford Housing; and $8,333 each to Safe Voices and Tree Street Youth. Most listed awards were for general purposes.
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its board identifies and examines potential recipients and may require written proposals describing the proposed use of funds, agreement to grant terms, and documentation of tax-exempt status. Recipients may be required to provide annual and final reports on how funds were used. Grants are restricted to the foundation’s charitable purposes, and recipients may be required to report periodically on expenditures. Eligible recipient organizations must be Section 501(c)(3) organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Heather Chandler, Dan Colby, Jazmine Durran, Alan Hahnel, Chris Hanks, Gail Nason, Jon Oxman, Debra Roy, Wayne Sherman, and Christine Weymouth as board members.
Biddeford and Mechanics Savings is led by Steve DeCastro, CEO & Board Member on the 2025 filing; none of the 19 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Steve DeCastro
CEO & Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeanne Hulit
President & Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Landry
Chair & Board Member
Board Member → Chair & Board Memeber, 2022
Chair & Board Memeber → Chair & Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alan Hahnel
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carri Brown
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Debra Roy
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keith Jacques
Vice Chair & Board Member
Board Member → Board Memeber & Vice Chair, 2022
Board Memeber & Vice Chair → Vice Chair & Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne Carney
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wayne Sherman
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jon Oxman
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Hanks
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Colby
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gail Nason
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather Chandler
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Whiting
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bradford Wise
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christine Weymouth
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Willis
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jazmine Durran
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Sandy Dolby (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Betsy Boudreau (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Terri Cook (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Raymond Martel (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Michele Tribou (2020–2021) — Board Member
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 Biddeford and Mechanics Savings
How much does Biddeford and Mechanics Savings give each year?
Biddeford and Mechanics Savings gave $167K across 29 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $183K across 26 grants.
What is Biddeford and Mechanics Savings's typical grant size?
Biddeford and Mechanics Savings's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $5,747, across 29 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Biddeford and Mechanics Savings that year got $5K on average.
Where does Biddeford and Mechanics Savings give grants?
Biddeford and Mechanics Savings gives mostly in Maine: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, ME (6 grants), Biddeford, ME (3 grants), Lewiston, ME (2 grants) and Gorham, ME (2 grants).
Does Biddeford and Mechanics Savings give general operating support?
Yes: 97% of Biddeford and Mechanics Savings's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (28 of 29) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Biddeford and Mechanics Savings's largest grantees?
Biddeford and Mechanics Savings's largest 2025 grantees include United Way of Southern Maine ($25,000), Trinity Jubilee Center ($15,000) and My Place Teen Center ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Biddeford and Mechanics Savings?
Biddeford and Mechanics Savings reported $52K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $168K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $11K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Biddeford and Mechanics Savings fund?
The foundation identifies health, housing, hunger, and aspiring youth as focus areas. Its filing also says it intends to support public education, community recreation, local library services, and services benefiting poor and underprivileged populations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Biddeford and Mechanics Savings?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Biddeford and Mechanics Savings's EIN?
Biddeford and Mechanics Savings's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-1674412. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Biddeford and Mechanics Savings accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 May 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Biddeford and Mechanics Savings funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/biddeford-and-mechanics-savings-morg_cabc124072d143e69f781ed5e9628d9e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_851674412_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Biddeford and Mechanics Savings funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/biddeford-and-mechanics-savings-morg_cabc124072d143e69f781ed5e9628d9e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Biddeford and Mechanics Savings'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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