Firebird Foundation for
Firebird Foundation for is a private foundation based in Phillips, Maine. It supports research, preservation, and promotion of Indigenous peoples’ culture, history, art, and literature, including the documentation of oral traditions and traditional ecological knowledge.
Firebird Foundation for at a glance
In short: Firebird Foundation for gave $1.1M across 46 grants in 2024 (avg $24K), top state Maine. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,125,846
- -94.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 46
- +12.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $24,475
- -94.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $8,940
- Total assets
- $50,838,427
- +0.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Maine (49% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Firebird Foundation for
- How to Apply
-
Submit a proposal and budget by email. The Foundation’s filing says applications are accepted continuously and grants are awarded quarterly. Its 2024 research-grant guidelines listed January 15 and June 15 review dates; those dates are past.
- Review Cycle
- The Foundation’s filing states that there are no deadlines.
- Deadline
- The Foundation’s filing states that there are no deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Firebird Foundation For Anthropolog
Mailing address: PO Box A, Phillips, ME 04966
Phone: (207) 639-3939
Email: firebird@firebirdfoundation.org
Website: https://www.firebirdfellowships.org/
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Firebird Foundation for
Research Grants for the Documentation of Oral Literature and Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Firebird Foundation
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
The Laura W. R. and George N. Appell Research Grants
Firebird Foundation
Amount
Up to US $40,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Firebird Foundation for funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust ($333K). Together the top 9 received $868K.
Organizations only. It also paid 37 grants to individuals ($257,451), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
146 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 117 grants of 146 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s 2024 grants went to recipients in Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, and California, as well as recipients whose state was not identified in the reported breakdown. Maine accounted for 49% of grant dollars, Vermont 17%, Massachusetts 3%, California 2%, and an unidentified state category 22%. A 2024 grant also went to the University of Sydney.
The Foundation’s research grants support documentation projects involving Indigenous communities in different regions. Its published grant list includes projects in Mexico, Canada, Bolivia, and Brazil.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 46 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Firebird Foundation for gives
- Giving fell 37% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 72% 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $147K (2020) to $18.6M (2023). In 2024 it made 46 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust Rangeley, ME | General operating support | $333,333 |
| Northeast Wilderness Trust Montpelier, VT | General operating support | $195,000 |
| Maine Coast Heritage Trust Topsham, ME | General operating support | $125,000 |
| University of Sydney | f/b/o Center for Cultural Linguistic Diversity & TRICL | $105,644 |
| Maine Media Workshops College Rockport, ME | General operating support | $50,000 |
| 37 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $257,451 |
| Fidelity Charitable Boston, MA | Contribution to donor-advised fund of disqualified person | $24,291 |
| Oceanarium & Education Center Bar Harbor, ME | General operating support | $20,902 |
| Phillips Public Library Phillips, ME | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Borneo Research Council Phillips, ME | General operating support | $4,225 |
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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 | $50,838,427 | $2,603,892 | $2,073,430 | $1,125,846 | 46 | $1,979,589 | $2,003,189 | $2,749,820 |
| 2023 | $50,587,754 | $5,963,118 | $19,701,754 | $18,613,776 | 41 | $19,333,900 | $666,639 | $2,665,188 |
| 2022 | $61,810,982 | $30,094,243 | $2,949,167 | $2,056,095 | 26 | $2,692,154 | $4,457,062 | $2,782,216 |
| 2021 | $38,180,874 | $27,021,507 | $2,762,198 | $1,800,902 | 18 | $2,371,143 | $6,325,873 | $2,052,020 |
| 2020 | $21,819,722 | $5,099,935 | $833,442 | $147,150 | 15 | — | $4,668,963 | $1,047,241 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation describes its work as serving Indigenous peoples’ efforts to record their arts and sciences. Its fellowship program supports collecting and preserving oral literature—such as songs, myths, ritual texts, and historical accounts—and traditional ecological knowledge. The Foundation encourages projects that develop local teams able to continue this work.
Its 2024 grants also included support for conservation and community organizations. Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust describes its mission as conserving and stewarding the natural and historical resources of the Rangeley Lakes region. Northeast Wilderness Trust says it works to preserve and restore forever-wild landscapes across several northeastern states. Maine Coast Heritage Trust describes its work as advancing the conservation of Maine’s lands and waters.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 46 grants totaling $1,125,846. The grants ranged from $820 to $333,333, with a median of $8,940. Its largest grants included $333,333 to Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust for general operating support, $195,000 to Northeast Wilderness Trust for general operating support, and $125,000 to Maine Coast Heritage Trust for general operating support. Other listed awards included $105,644 to the University of Sydney for the Center for Cultural Linguistic Diversity and TRICL, and $50,000 to Maine Media Workshops College for general operating support.
The Foundation’s research fellowships support anthropologists, linguists, other scholars, and individuals or teams of local researchers in Indigenous societies. Awards are up to $10,000 for project-related collection expenses. The Foundation encourages community-based and long-term projects that train local researchers. Its filing says there is no application form; applicants should submit a proposal and budget by email. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis, with grants awarded quarterly. Applicants do not need specific academic credentials, though credentials are considered. Foundation directors, selection committee members, their family members, and certain descendants and family members of George N. Appell and Laura W. R. Appell are ineligible. Fellows must provide progress and expenditure reports at least annually and a final report with an accounting.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Charity R. Appell as Executive Director and Treasurer, Steven G. Hoch as Secretary and Director, and Laura P. Appell-Warren as President and Director.
Firebird Foundation for is led by Laura P Appell-Warren, President & Director since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 3 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Laura P Appell-Warren
President & Director
President → President, Secretary, Treasurer & Director, 2021
President, Secretary, Treasurer & Director → President & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$54K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Charity R Appell
Executive Director & Treasurer
Executive Director & Vice President → Executive Director & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
$57K (2021) → $61K (2024)
Steven G Hoch
Secretary & Director
Director → Secretary & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Amity A Doolittle (2020–2023) — Director & Vice President
- Former: Charity Appell McNabb (2020) — Treasurer
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $61K, to Charity R Appell (Exec. Director/Treasurer).
Frequently asked questions about Firebird Foundation for
How much does Firebird Foundation for give each year?
Firebird Foundation for gave $1.1M across 46 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $18.6M across 41 grants.
What is Firebird Foundation for's typical grant size?
Firebird Foundation for's median grant in 2024 was $8,940, and its average grant was $24,475, across 46 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Firebird Foundation for give grants?
Firebird Foundation for's top state is Maine, with 49% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest state was Vermont (17%). The most frequent recipient cities were Phillips, ME (2 grants).
Does Firebird Foundation for give general operating support?
Yes: 15% of Firebird Foundation for's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 46) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Firebird Foundation for's largest grantees?
Firebird Foundation for's largest 2024 grantees include Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust ($333,333), Northeast Wilderness Trust ($195,000) and Maine Coast Heritage Trust ($125,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 37 grants to individuals ($257,451), which are not listed by name. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Firebird Foundation for?
Firebird Foundation for reported $50.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.7M (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 Firebird Foundation for fund?
The Foundation describes its work as serving Indigenous peoples’ efforts to record their arts and sciences. Its fellowship program supports collecting and preserving oral literature—such as songs, myths, ritual texts, and historical accounts—and traditional ecological knowledge. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Firebird Foundation for?
Submit a proposal and budget by email. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Firebird Foundation for funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/firebird-foundation-for-morg_22dd15844790477f9cb186264386d356
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_010524375_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Firebird Foundation for funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/firebird-foundation-for-morg_22dd15844790477f9cb186264386d356},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Firebird Foundation for'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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