The Firebird Foundation for Anthropological Research is a private foundation based in Phillips, Maine, established in 2000. The foundation operates with a staff of 4-5 employees and maintains an international presence with operations in Senegal and Austria. The organization is dedicated to research, preservation, and promotion of the culture, history, art, and literature of indigenous peoples.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$50.8M
+0.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
-94.0% YoY
Grant Count
46
+12.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
-94.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Firebird Foundation for reported a distributable amount of $2.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Firebird Foundation honors the legacy of its founders, George and Laura Appell, and supports efforts that contribute broadly to culture, language, and the environment for the betterment of humanity. The foundation's particular areas of interest include:
- Preserving the environment
- Supporting the arts, sciences, and humanities
- Preserving the dignity of all peoples
- Research and documentation of oral literature and traditional ecological knowledge
- Direct research and expeditions to broaden understanding of indigenous cultures, communities, and traditions
The foundation's work contributes to a world-renowned archive of oral literature and traditional ecological knowledge, forwarding anthropological research and traditional ecological knowledge. The foundation publishes and disseminates research results and circulates educational material online through its own and affiliate websites, generally free of charge and available to the general public.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 15 grants in its most recent reporting year, with typical award ranges of $3,000 to $16.8 million and a median grant size of $9,000. The foundation accepts applications.
Grant Range
of $9,000. The foundation accepts applications.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Maine, California, and Texas. The foundation maintains international operations with presence in Senegal and Austria.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $50,587,754
- Total Revenues: $5,963,118
- Total Expenses: $19,701,754
- Total Giving: $18,610,173 (2023)
- Number of Grants: 37
- Giving Rate: 36.8% of assets
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $50,838,427 | $50,587,754 | $61,810,982 |
| Revenue | $2,603,892 | $5,963,118 | $30,094,243 |
| Expenses | $2,073,430 | $19,701,754 | $2,949,167 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,979,589 | $19,333,900 | $2,692,154 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,003,189 | $666,639 | $4,457,062 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,749,820 | $2,665,188 | $2,782,216 |
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
146 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Firebird Foundation for
Research Grants for the Documentation of Oral Literature and Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Firebird Foundation for
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
The Laura W. R. and George N. Appell Research Grants
Firebird Foundation for
Amount
Up to US $40,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust ($333,333), Northeast Wilderness Trust ($195,000), Maine Coast Heritage Trust ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Akpan Aniefon Daniel | Fellowships in the Collection of Oral Literature & Traditional Knowledge | $903 |
| Akpobome Diffre-Odiete | Fellowships in the Collection of Oral Literature & Traditional Knowledge | $1,000 |
| Ana Carolina Hecht | Fellowships in the Collection of Oral Literature & Traditional Knowledge | $9,000 |
| Andres Ozuna Salem, OR | Fellowships in the Collection of Oral Literature & Traditional Knowledge | $1,000 |
| Antonio Guerreiro | Fellowships in the Collection of Oral Literature & Traditional Knowledge | $9,000 |
| Bidyum Kumar Medhi Baltimore, MD | Fellowships in the Collection of Oral Literature & Traditional Knowledge | $7,740 |
| Borneo Research Council Phillips, ME | General operating support | $4,225 |
| Chelsea Krajcik Brockton, MA | Fellowships in the Collection of Oral Literature & Traditional Knowledge | $4,027 |
| Christina Callicott Washington, DC | Fellowships in the Collection of Oral Literature & Traditional Knowledge | $2,744 |
| Emily Akpomedaye | Fellowships in the Collection of Oral Literature & Traditional Knowledge | $899 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Laura P. Appell-Warren serves as President of the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charity R Appell | Exec. Director/Treasurer | 20 | $61,214 |
| Steven G Hoch | Secretary/Director | 10 | — |
| Laura P Appell-Warren | President/Director | 10 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Firebird Foundation for fund?
The Firebird Foundation honors the legacy of its founders, George and Laura Appell, and supports efforts that contribute broadly to culture, language, and the environment for the betterment of humanity. The foundation's particular areas of interest include: • Preserving the environment • Supporting the arts, sciences, and humanities • Preserving the dignity of all peoples • Research and documentation of oral literature and traditional ecological knowledge • Direct research and expeditions to br…
How do I apply for a grant from Firebird Foundation for?
The foundation made 15 grants in its most recent reporting year, with typical award ranges of $3,000 to $16.8 million and a median grant size of $9,000. The foundation accepts applications. **Active grant programs include:** • The Laura W. R. and George N. Appell Research Grants • Research Grants for the Documentation of Oral Literature and Traditional Ecological Knowledge The foundation provides fellowships for the collection of oral literature and traditional ecological knowledge in service o…
Where does Firebird Foundation for make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Maine, California, and Texas. The foundation maintains international operations with presence in Senegal and Austria.
What size grants does Firebird Foundation for award?
In 2024, Firebird Foundation for awarded 46 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $24K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Firebird Foundation for required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Firebird Foundation for reported a distributable amount of $2.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Firebird Foundation for's EIN?
Firebird Foundation for's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0524375. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Firebird Foundation for's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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