Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy
Focusmaine propels the growth of Maine's most promising industries and transforms Maine into a hub for top talent.
Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy at a glance
In short: Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy gave $1.9M across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $275K), mostly in Maine. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,921,580
- -7.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- -61.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $274,511
- +137.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $215,870
- Total assets
- $2,209,867
- +0.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Maine (92% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Maine Center for Entrepreneurs ($763K). Together the top 7 received $1.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
48 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 48 (35%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy gives
- Giving grew 23% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 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 $1.3M (2022) to $2.1M (2023). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Center for Entrepreneurs Portland, ME | Award to invest in business acceleration programs delivered by Maine center for entrepreneurs to Maine food, bioscience and food tech companies | $762,947 |
| Educate Maine Portland, ME | Award to educate Maine to invest in providing experiential programs to attract young professionals to pursue careers in Maine | $375,846 |
| Coastal Enterprises Inc Brunswick, ME | Award to coastal enterprises, inc to invest in business growth and expansion of Maine food companies | $351,121 |
| Maine Aquaculture Association Hallowell, ME | To support the state's aquaculture industry by providing workforce development, business planning resources, communications and marketing, and guidance to help growers build sustainable and successful operations. | $215,870 |
| Northeastern University Boston, MA | Award to northeastern university to support the development of a life science professional network and asset map | $123,848 |
| New England Ocean Cluster LLC Portland, ME | Award to new england ocean cluster to attract and provide business support to companies starting operations in Maine | $63,768 |
| Third Sector New England Inc Boston, MA | Award to achieve accelerated growth and investment in third sector programs | $28,180 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,209,867 | $3,551,496 | $3,262,841 | $1,921,580 | 7 | $76,982 |
| 2023 | $2,200,914 | $3,241,469 | $3,480,305 | $2,083,912 | 18 | $21,209 |
| 2022 | $5,180,935 | $2,195,380 | $2,258,589 | $1,266,707 | 4 | $62,704 |
| 2021 | $1,579,094 | $2,495,070 | $2,260,941 | $1,564,969 | 7 | $7,654 |
| 2020 | $1,636,067 | $2,768,567 | $2,626,801 | $1,983,083 | 12 | $6,361 |
About Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy
Based on IRS filings
Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Augusta, ME. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $1.9M. Net investment income was $77K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy is led by Andrea Maker, President, Co-Chair & Co-Founder since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 12 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Andrea Maker
President, Co-Chair & Co-Founder
Board Chair → President, Co-Chair & Co-Founder, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$130K (2023) → $192K (2024)
Leo Waterston
Program Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$133K (2023) → $139K (2024)
Dana Connors
Member
Vice Chair → Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Fitzsimmons
Secretary
Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Dubyak
Member
Vice Chair → Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Bourque
Treasurer
Treasurer in March → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Rector Blazek
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ed McKersie
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jay Dearborn
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joan Ferrini-Mundy
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristen Miale
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Woodcock
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Dana O'Brien (2022–2023) — President
- Former: Clifton Greim (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Kimberly Hamilton (2020–2022) — President & Secretary to July
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 $192K, to Andrea Maker (President, Co-Chair & Co-Founder). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy
How much does Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy give each year?
Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy gave $1.9M across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.1M across 18 grants.
What is Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy's typical grant size?
Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy's median grant in 2024 was $215,870, and its average grant was $274,511, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy give grants?
Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy gives mostly in Maine: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, ME (3 grants) and Boston, MA (2 grants).
Does Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy's largest grantees?
Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy's largest 2024 grantees include Maine Center for Entrepreneurs ($762,947), Educate Maine ($375,846) and Coastal Enterprises Inc ($351,121), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 78% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy?
Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy reported $2.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.6M.
What is Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy?
Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Augusta, ME. It holds $2.2M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy's EIN?
Foundation for a Strong Maine Economy's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-0036992. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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