Francis T & Louis T Nichols
Francis T & Louis T Nichols is a private foundation based in Bangor, Maine. In 2024, it reported 88 grants totaling $2.6 million, with recipients primarily in Maine and Vermont.
Francis T & Louis T Nichols at a glance
In short: Francis T & Louis T Nichols gave $2.6M across 88 grants in 2024 (avg $30K), mostly in Maine. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,600,000
- +86566.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 88
- +8700.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $29,545
- +884.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $18,000
- Total assets
- $20,840,760
- -6.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Maine (50% 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 Francis T & Louis T Nichols
- How to Apply
-
The filing lists an open application, names Nathaniel S Putnam as the contact, and states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Maine and Vermont are priorities.
- Review Cycle
- December 1st.
- Deadline
- December 1st.
- Contact
Application contact: Nathaniel S Putnam
Mailing address: PO Box 1210, Bangor, ME 04402-1210
Phone: (207) 947-0111
Email: nputnam@eatonpeabody.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Francis T & Louis T Nichols funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Maine Community Foundation ($491K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
92 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 79 grants of 92 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars went primarily to Maine (50%) and Vermont (45%); Massachusetts and Virginia each received 2%, and Pennsylvania received 1%. Its filing identifies Maine and Vermont as priorities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 88 itemized grants.
Cities
How Francis T & Louis T Nichols gives
- Giving grew 86567% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 113% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $3K (2021) to $2.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 88 grants totaling $2.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Community Foundation Ellsworth, ME | Donation | $491,000 |
| Vermont Student Assistance Corp Winooski, VT | Donation | $100,000 |
| George Stevens Academy Blue Hill, ME | Donation | $90,000 |
| Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity Wiliston, VT | Donation | $85,000 |
| Hancock County Habitat for Humanity Ellsworth, ME | Donation | $85,000 |
| Maine Children's Home Waterville, ME | Donation | $80,000 |
| Lund Family Center Burlington, VT | Donation | $67,000 |
| Partners for Peacespruce Run Bangor, ME | Donation | $65,000 |
| Steps to End Domestic Violence Burlington, VT | Donation | $60,000 |
| Community Health Centers Burlington, VT | Donation | $55,000 |
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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 | $20,840,760 | $1,349,971 | $2,914,315 | $2,600,000 | 88 | $2,914,315 | $991,551 | $2,572,144 |
| 2023 | $22,320,466 | $6,073,846 | $2,437,831 | $3,000 | 1 | $2,437,831 | $5,786,015 | $2,045,614 |
| 2022 | $18,739,273 | $3,034,173 | $2,444,580 | $5,000 | 1 | $2,514,958 | $2,789,593 | $2,036,639 |
| 2021 | $18,153,366 | $3,236,435 | $2,605,608 | $3,000 | 1 | $2,608,608 | $3,005,827 | $2,213,187 |
| 2020 | $17,506,013 | $1,756,188 | $2,623,627 | $8,000 | 1 | — | $1,556,561 | $1,803,456 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Francis T & Louis T Nichols reported a distributable amount of $2.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations with varied missions. For example, George Stevens Academy describes itself as an independent high school serving Maine’s coastal communities. Hancock County Habitat for Humanity says it works to address poverty housing and make decent, affordable shelter available. The Maine Children’s Home describes its mission as strengthening families and children, while Community Health Centers of Burlington says it aims to improve health in the communities it serves.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 88 grants totaling $2,600,000. Grants ranged from $500 to $491,000, with a median grant of $18,000. The largest awards included $491,000 to Maine Community Foundation, $100,000 to Vermont Student Assistance Corp, and $90,000 to George Stevens Academy. Other notable grants included $85,000 each to Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity and Hancock County Habitat for Humanity, and $80,000 to Maine Children’s Home.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Susan Thibault, William Nichols, and Nathaniel S Putnam as trustees.
Francis T & Louis T Nichols's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nathaniel S. Putnam
Trustee
On filings since 2022
$135K (2022) → $0 (2024)
Susan Thibault
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
William Nichols
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Calvin True (2020–2021) — Trustee
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 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $135K, to Nathaniel S Putnam (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Francis T & Louis T Nichols
How much does Francis T & Louis T Nichols give each year?
Francis T & Louis T Nichols gave $2.6M across 88 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3K across 1 grant.
What is Francis T & Louis T Nichols's typical grant size?
Francis T & Louis T Nichols's median grant in 2024 was $18,000, and its average grant was $29,545, across 88 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Francis T & Louis T Nichols give grants?
Francis T & Louis T Nichols gives mostly in Maine: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Vermont (45%). The most frequent recipient cities were Burlington, VT (18 grants), Blue Hill, ME (8 grants), Ellsworth, ME (5 grants) and Bangor, ME (4 grants).
Does Francis T & Louis T Nichols give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 88 grants with a stated purpose on Francis T & Louis T Nichols's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (88 grants).
Who are Francis T & Louis T Nichols's largest grantees?
Francis T & Louis T Nichols's largest 2024 grantees include Maine Community Foundation ($491,000), Vermont Student Assistance Corp ($100,000) and George Stevens Academy ($90,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Francis T & Louis T Nichols?
Francis T & Louis T Nichols reported $20.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Francis T & Louis T Nichols fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations with varied missions. For example, George Stevens Academy describes itself as an independent high school serving Maine’s coastal communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Francis T & Louis T Nichols?
The filing lists an open application, names Nathaniel S Putnam as the contact, and states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Francis T & Louis T Nichols's EIN?
Francis T & Louis T Nichols's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0493311. 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 September 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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Browse active grant opportunities in Francis T & Louis T Nichols's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Francis T & Louis T Nichols funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/francis-t-and-louis-t-nichols-morg_607e51ddce954439bf7401ebf6129565
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_010493311_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Francis T \& Louis T Nichols funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/francis-t-and-louis-t-nichols-morg_607e51ddce954439bf7401ebf6129565},
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 Francis T & Louis T Nichols'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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