Bill and Joan Alfond
Bill and Joan Alfond is a private foundation based in Portland, Maine. Its filing describes a philanthropic organization supporting education, health care, youth, and community development.
Bill and Joan Alfond at a glance
In short: Bill and Joan Alfond gave $3.4M across 41 grants in 2024 (avg $84K), mostly in Maine. 35% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,440,607
- +59.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 41
- -14.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $83,917
- +86.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $13,625
- Total assets
- $31,178,456
- +0.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (11 of 31, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Maine (62% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Bill and Joan Alfond
- Review Cycle
- No submission deadlines.
- Deadline
- No submission deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Bill Joan Alfond Family Foundation
Mailing address: Two Monument Square, Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 828-7999
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Bill and Joan Alfond funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Mass General Brigham Incorporated ($895K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $3.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
173 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 127 grants of 173 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing refers to a principal area of geographic interest but does not define it. In 2024, 62% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maine and 38% to recipients in Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 41 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Bill and Joan Alfond open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 31 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $219K; repeat grants $51K. How we count
Medians: $75K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 48% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 20% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.6M (2022) to $4.3M (2021). In 2024 it made 41 grants totaling $3.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Colby College Waterville, ME | Undesignated Lifetime Commitment (Dare Northward Campaign) | $600,173 |
| Kennebec Valley Community Action Program Waterville, ME | Skowhegan Public School Early Childhood Education Wing | $500,000 |
| Mass General Brigham Incorporated Boston, MA | Mass Eye & Ear Hearing Labs Capital Improvements | $500,000 |
| BNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund Boston, MA | Donor Advised Funds with Disqualified Person Advisory Privileges | $398,225 |
| Mass General Brigham Incorporated Boston, MA | Headache Medicine, Research, and Treatment | $395,000 |
| Maine Community Foundation Inc Portland, ME | Donor Advised Funds with Disqualified Person Advisory Privileges | $248,038 |
| Childrens Discovery Museum Waterville, ME | Capital Campaign Membership Challenge | $200,000 |
| 10TH Mountain Ski Club Fort Kent, ME | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Maine School Administrative District #46 Dexter, ME | New Facility for Building Trades Program | $93,750 |
| Thomas College Waterville, ME | Varsity E-Sports Program Expansion | $60,346 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $31,178,456 | $4,457,734 | $4,220,875 | $3,440,607 | 41 | $3,642,366 | $2,675,277 | $3,912,082 |
| 2023 | $30,941,597 | $5,096,551 | $3,288,466 | $2,158,029 | 48 | $2,338,132 | $3,783,140 | $3,622,600 |
| 2022 | $34,441,650 | $3,466,072 | $2,875,760 | $1,641,810 | 30 | $1,800,712 | $2,626,609 | $3,584,431 |
| 2021 | $33,512,660 | $6,141,856 | $5,002,013 | $4,327,524 | 26 | $4,477,594 | $4,207,577 | $3,620,106 |
| 2020 | $32,045,802 | $12,728,574 | $4,476,633 | $3,807,682 | 28 | — | $11,085,418 | $2,817,773 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bill and Joan Alfond reported a distributable amount of $3.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The filing describes the foundation’s purpose as making a positive impact through investment themes and supporting grantees in education, health care, youth, and community development. It also states that the foundation contributes to organizations in higher education.
Examples of 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. An individual recipient Community Action says its mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities through direct services and community collaborations that create solutions to poverty. The Children’s Discovery Museum describes its purpose as providing exhibits and activities that promote developmental skills through hands-on learning and play. Thomas College says it prepares students for personal and professional success, leadership, and service in their communities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 41 grants totaling $3,440,607. Grant amounts ranged from $188 to $600,173, with a median of $13,625. Examples of larger awards include $600,173 to Colby College for an undesignated lifetime commitment to the Dare Northward Campaign; $500,000 to an individual recipient Community Action Program for the Skowhegan Public School Early Childhood Education Wing; and $500,000 to Mass General Brigham Incorporated for Mass Eye & Ear Hearing Labs capital improvements. Other grants included $395,000 to Mass General Brigham for headache medicine, research, and treatment, and $200,000 to the Children’s Discovery Museum for a capital campaign membership challenge.
The filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applicants are asked to submit a brief one-to-three-page letter describing the project, drive, or campaign, including the need, number of people benefited, geographic area served, total fundraising goal, strategy, and amount requested. Capital campaigns and special projects should also include a budget. Applicants should enclose a 501(c)(3) determination letter and other supporting materials. For major grants, the foundation normally requires grantees to raise matching funds from other organizations and individuals.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Joan Alfond as vice president and director, William Alfond as president and director, Gregory Powell as treasurer, Elizabeth Menard as secretary, and Kenden Alfond, Justin Alfond, and Reis Alfond as directors.
Bill and Joan Alfond is led by William Alfond, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
William Alfond
President & Director
On filings since 2020
12.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joan Alfond
Vice President & Director
Vice President, Treasurer & Director → Vice President & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
7.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Justin Alfond
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kenden Alfond
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Reis Alfond
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Powell See General Explantn
Treasurer
Secretary → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Menard See Genrl Explantn
Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Bill and Joan Alfond
How much does Bill and Joan Alfond give each year?
Bill and Joan Alfond gave $3.4M across 41 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.2M across 48 grants.
What is Bill and Joan Alfond's typical grant size?
Bill and Joan Alfond's median grant in 2024 was $13,625, and its average grant was $83,917, across 41 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Bill and Joan Alfond that year got $219K on average.
Where does Bill and Joan Alfond give grants?
Bill and Joan Alfond gives mostly in Maine: 62% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (38%). The most frequent recipient cities were Waterville, ME (15 grants), Dexter, ME (5 grants), Boston, MA (4 grants) and Portland, ME (2 grants).
Does Bill and Joan Alfond give general operating support?
Occasionally: 7% of Bill and Joan Alfond's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 41) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Bill and Joan Alfond's largest grantees?
Bill and Joan Alfond's largest 2024 grantees include Mass General Brigham Incorporated ($895,000 across 2 grants), Colby College ($600,173) and Kennebec Valley Community Action Program ($500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Bill and Joan Alfond?
Bill and Joan Alfond reported $31.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.9M (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 does Bill and Joan Alfond fund?
The filing describes the foundation’s purpose as making a positive impact through investment themes and supporting grantees in education, health care, youth, and community development. It also states that the foundation contributes to organizations in higher education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bill and Joan Alfond?
Bill and Joan Alfond has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Bill and Joan Alfond's EIN?
Bill and Joan Alfond's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0421806. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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—
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Bill and Joan Alfond funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/bill-and-joan-alfond-morg_76de51ba58974b2b92d446df8c232cfc
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_010421806_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Bill and Joan Alfond funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/bill-and-joan-alfond-morg_76de51ba58974b2b92d446df8c232cfc},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Bill and Joan Alfond'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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