Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan
Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan is a private foundation based in Portland, Maine. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including organizations working in animal protection and care, hunger relief, health, and legal advocacy.
Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan at a glance
In short: Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan gave $108K across 22 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), mostly in Maine. 9% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $108,000
- +2.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 22
- +4.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $4,909
- -1.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $628,561
- -4.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 9% first-time grantees (2 of 22, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Maine (96% 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 Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it states that contributions are made only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 44 Belfield Street, Portland, ME 04103
Phone: (207) 650-2774
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ever After Mustang Rescue ($15K). Together the top 10 received $65K.
Grant Size Distribution
92 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 92 grants of 92 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maine and 4% to recipients in New Hampshire.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan open to new grantees?
9%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 22 grantees (9%) were first-time recipients. With only 22 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 91% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+14%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 257% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $77K (2020) to $108K (2024). In 2024 it made 22 grants totaling $108K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ever After Mustang Rescue Biddeford, ME | Rescue, Prot & Care of Negl. Mustang | $15,000 |
| Good Shepherd Food Bank Auburn, ME | Efforts to Combat Hunger in ME | $10,000 |
| Tommy's Feral Feline Friends Greene, ME | Animal Rescue & Care Efforts | $5,000 |
| Me State Society for the Protection Windham, ME | Rescue, Prot & Care of Negl Horses | $5,000 |
| St Apollonia Dental Clinic Presque Isle, ME | Provide Dental Care to Children | $5,000 |
| Maine Wabanaki Reach Stillwater, ME | Communit Health, Self-Determination, | $5,000 |
| Wabanaki Health & Wellness Bangor, ME | Health & Cultural Svcs to Native Ame | $5,000 |
| Pittie Posse Saco, ME | Mission of Providing Animal Protect | $5,000 |
| The Locker Project Portland, ME | Providing Food Security to Me Childr | $5,000 |
| Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project Portland, ME | Working for More Just and Humane Law | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan?
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 | $628,561 | $92,612 | $116,658 | $108,000 | 22 | $108,000 | $48,134 | $42,105 |
| 2023 | $656,345 | $77,400 | $109,505 | $105,000 | 21 | $105,035 | $34,055 | $39,807 |
| 2022 | $689,040 | $60,541 | $104,133 | $98,000 | 18 | $98,285 | $55,268 | $43,816 |
| 2021 | $733,022 | $88,255 | $100,858 | $95,000 | 18 | $95,300 | $82,697 | $49,533 |
| 2020 | $748,024 | $64,842 | $82,619 | $77,000 | 13 | — | $63,533 | $44,459 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan reported a distributable amount of $42K 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 activities. For example, Good Shepherd Food Bank describes its mission as eliminating hunger in Maine through access to nutritious and culturally relevant food, while the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project says it helps low-income immigrants improve their legal status and works for more just and humane laws and policies. Peace Ridge Sanctuary describes its work as providing permanent sanctuary to once-abused and neglected animals, particularly farmed animals, and promoting compassionate lifestyle choices through education.
Other 2024 grantees include Furniture Friends, which says it provides donated furniture to people in need throughout Greater Portland; Maine Needs Inc, which says it helps people meet basic material needs; Avian Haven, which describes itself as a wild bird rehabilitation center; and Celebration Barn Theater, which says it creates opportunities for physical theater artists to develop and share their work.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave $108,000 through 22 grants. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $15,000, with a median grant of $5,000. Its largest reported grants included $15,000 to Ever After Mustang Rescue for rescue, protection, and care of neglected mustangs, and $10,000 to Good Shepherd Food Bank for efforts to combat hunger in Maine.
Other reported grants included $5,000 each to Tommy’s Feral Feline Friends, the Maine State Society for the Protection, St Apollonia Dental Clinic, Maine Wabanaki Reach, Wabanaki Health & Wellness, Pittie Posse, The Locker Project, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, Peace Ridge Sanctuary, and City of Portland ME Public Health. Furniture Friends received $4,000; Maine Needs Inc and Avian Haven received $3,000 each; and Celebration Barn Theater received $2,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jon Hall as president; Brian Chadbourne as vice president; Hannah Estes as treasurer; Leslie Chadbourne as secretary; and Allison Allen, Robert Filgate, and Barbara Loewenberg Irlandy as directors.
Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan is led by Jon Hall, President on every filing since 2020; all 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jon Hall
President
On filings since 2020
$575 (2020) → $575 (2024)
Allison Allen
Director
On filings since 2020
$575 (2020) → $575 (2024)
Robert Filgate
Director
On filings since 2020
$575 (2020) → $575 (2024)
Barbara Loewenberg Irlandy
Director
New on the 2024 filing
$575 (2024)
Brian Chadbourne
Vice President
On filings since 2020
$575 (2020) → $575 (2024)
Hannah Estes
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
$575 (2020) → $575 (2024)
Leslie Chadbourne
Secretary
On filings since 2020
$575 (2020) → $575 (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Barbara Loewenberg-Irlandy (2020–2023) — Director
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 $575, to Jon Hall (President). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan
How much does Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan give each year?
Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan gave $108K across 22 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $105K across 21 grants.
What is Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan's typical grant size?
Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $4,909, across 22 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan that year got $3K on average.
Where does Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan give grants?
Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan gives mostly in Maine: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, ME (6 grants).
Does Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 22 grants with a stated purpose on Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan's largest grantees?
Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan's largest 2024 grantees include Ever After Mustang Rescue ($15,000), Good Shepherd Food Bank ($10,000) and Tommy's Feral Feline Friends ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan?
Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan reported $629K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $108K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $42K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations with varied activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it states that contributions are made only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan's EIN?
Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-1076652. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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
Other open foundation grants in Maine
Maine Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Maine Community Foundation Inc
Ellsworth, ME
Maine Community Foundation supports nonprofits and communities in Maine through grants for areas such as community building, arts, land and water, housing, and equity, as well as scholarships. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of $17,500, though awards varied widely. The profile describes online applications for competitive grants but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$807.6M
Grants
1,161
Total Given
$57.6M
Bangor Savings Bank Foundation
Bangor, ME
The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation supports arts and culture, economic and workforce development, education, health and wellness, and social and community services, including affordable housing and health care. It focuses on Maine, New Hampshire, and Essex County, Massachusetts; 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $50,000, with a median of $4,750. It accepts applications through an online portal, with applications reviewed twice a year.
Assets
$7.0M
Grants
156
Total Given
$1.2M
Elmina B Sewall Foundation
Freeport, ME
The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation funds Maine nonprofits working for equity and interconnected well-being for people, animals, and the environment, across areas including food systems, animal welfare, and community development. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $31,000, though awards varied widely; it accepts applications through its online system during designated periods and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$164.8M
Grants
296
Total Given
$14.4M
Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson
Portland, ME
The foundation supports Maine-serving nonprofits and government agencies with charitable, educational, health, community, and self-sufficiency projects, especially innovative efforts and seed funding for underserved populations. Recent grants ranged from $500 to $10,000, with a median of $2,500. It accepts requests from eligible organizations; the profile states no deadlines in its 2024 filing, though its website lists meeting dates.
Assets
$3.6M
Grants
68
Total Given
$180K
John T Gorman Foundation
Portland, ME
The John T. Gorman Foundation funds nonprofits and government-affiliated entities working to improve child and family well-being and meet essential needs, especially for people experiencing poverty in Maine. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $345,000, with a median award of $20,250. It generally does not accept unsolicited proposals; most foundation-initiated grants are by invitation, though organizations may contact the Foundation with an aligned idea.
Assets
$223.5M
Grants
154
Total Given
$7.5M
Sam L Cohen Foundation
Portland, ME
The Sam L. Cohen Foundation funds nonprofits in arts and culture, civic and community work, education, health and human services, and Jewish culture and traditions, with a focus on organizations serving Cumberland and/or York counties in Maine. Its average award is less than $15,000, though 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $275,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through a two-step online process, beginning with an inquiry.
Assets
$28.0M
Grants
125
Total Given
$3.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in Maine
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gwendolen-elwell-flanagan-morg_52161fffa7de45c8b9519b2279de9696
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_271076652_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/gwendolen-elwell-flanagan-morg_52161fffa7de45c8b9519b2279de9696},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan'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.
Gwendolen Elwell Flanagan down — hundreds of funders to go?