Island Institute
Island Institute is a public charity based in Rockland, Maine. It works with Maine’s island and coastal communities on climate and economic change, with programs and grantmaking related to marine economy, climate solutions, and community capacity.
Island Institute at a glance
In short: Island Institute gave $442K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $34K), mostly in Maine. 50% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $442,040
- +124.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $34,003
- +124.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $41,936,593
- +9.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (5 of 10, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Maine (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Island Institute
- Contact
Mailing address: 386 Main Street PO Box 648, Rockland, ME 04841
Phone: (207) 594-9209
Website: https://islandinstitute.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Island Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Luke's Lobster Holding LLC ($181K). Together the top 10 received $422K.
Grant Size Distribution
71 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 65 grants of 71 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Island Institute describes its work as serving Maine’s island and coastal communities. All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Maine.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Island Institute open to new grantees?
50%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 10 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $21K; repeat grants $54K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $13K repeat.
- 40% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−13%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $100K (2019) to $1.2M (2023). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $442K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Luke's Lobster Holding LLC Saco, ME | Lift all Boats pass-through | $180,811 |
| Eastport Energy Committee Eastport, ME | Climate Planning | $43,729 |
| Pendleton Yacht Yard Islesboro, ME | Electric boat forgivable loan | $40,000 |
| Town of Isle au Haut Isle au Haut, ME | Broadband pass-through | $37,500 |
| Maine Ocean Farms LLC Brunswick, ME | Electric boat support | $30,000 |
| Matinicus Isle Plantation Matinicus, ME | ShoreUp planning grant | $20,000 |
| Foundation for Strong Maine Economy Augusta, ME | Aquaculture support | $15,000 |
| Town of Tremont Bass Harbor, ME | ShoreUp planning grant | $15,000 |
| Town of Isle au Haut Isle au Haut, ME | ShoreUp planning grant | $15,000 |
| Hancock County Planning Commission Ellsworth, ME | Broadband pass-through | $12,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Island Institute?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $41,936,593 | $10,979,742 | $9,688,901 | $442,040 | 13 | $1,714,120 |
| 2024 | $38,393,601 | $7,730,757 | $9,092,114 | $197,100 | 13 | $1,250,595 |
| 2023 | $36,646,542 | $11,333,497 | $8,955,717 | $1,208,722 | 18 | $3,947,132 |
| 2022 | $34,942,404 | $7,827,911 | $7,181,390 | $509,724 | 12 | $1,505,470 |
| 2021 | $40,303,997 | $8,714,399 | $7,401,730 | $923,038 | 15 | $2,117,096 |
| 2020 | $33,823,722 | $5,257,928 | $6,537,126 | $176,303 | 15 | $670,552 |
| 2019 | $34,723,097 | $4,980,303 | $5,708,324 | $100,245 | 12 | $981,617 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Island Institute’s mission is to “boldly navigate climate and economic change with island and coastal communities to expand opportunities and deliver solutions.”
Its stated priorities include a sustainable, climate-forward marine economy; helping communities build resilience to rising seas, warming waters, and ocean acidification; and strengthening community capacity through fellows, grants, scholarships, education, workforce pathways, and policy advocacy. Its 2023 filing describes work on clean marine energy, working waterfront protection, sustainable seafood, and challenges facing the lobster industry.
Recent grants illustrate support for projects such as climate planning, electric boats, broadband, and ShoreUp planning. One recipient, Hancock County Planning Commission, says its mission is to assist county and local governments with protecting heritage and resources, planning for the future, and promoting a sound economy in Hancock County.
Grantmaking
In 2025, Island Institute reported 13 grants totaling $442,040. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $180,811, with a median of $15,000. The largest listed awards were $180,811 to Luke’s Lobster Holding LLC for a Lift all Boats pass-through; $43,729 to Eastport Energy Committee for climate planning; $40,000 to Pendleton Yacht Yard for an electric boat forgivable loan; and $37,500 to the Town of Isle au Haut for a broadband pass-through.
Other listed 2025 grants included $30,000 to Maine Ocean Farms LLC for electric boat support; $20,000 to Matinicus Isle Plantation for a ShoreUp planning grant; $15,000 each to Foundation for Strong Maine Economy for aquaculture support, the Town of Tremont for ShoreUp planning, and the Town of Isle au Haut for ShoreUp planning; and $12,500 each to Hancock County Planning Commission and Midcoast Council of Governments for broadband pass-throughs. Peaks Environmental Action Team received $10,000 for ShoreUp planning.
The organization’s website says the Glenn Fund Community Impact Grants were established in 2017 and have provided nearly $2 million in support to small businesses and community infrastructure projects. The website also describes scholarships supporting educational, enrichment, and workforce experiences for island and coastal high school students and young adults. For scholarships, the portal describes an online application that takes about 30 minutes and includes assessment questions about education, work, and other experience.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Kristin Howard as Chair; Douglas Henderson as Vice Chair; Kathrine Vogt as Treasurer; Bryan Lewis as Secretary; and Sebastian Belle, John Conley, Shey Conover, David Cousens, Michael Felton, and Desmond Fitzgerald as Trustees.
Island Institute is led by Kimberly Hamilton, President on every filing since 2023; 8 of 28 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kimberly Hamilton
President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$38K (2023) → $327K (2025)
Kristin Howard
Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexander Kravitz
Director, Program Impact & Glenn Fund
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$110K (2025)
Carol White
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Cousens
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Felton
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Sant
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sebastian Belle
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shey Conover
Trustee
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Steinharter
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christie Hallowell
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Desmond Fitzgerald
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Conley
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nadia Rosenthal
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Rand
Past CFO & Current COO
CFO → Chief Financial Officer, 2023
Chief Financial Officer → Past CFO & Current COO, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$51K (2019) → $186K (2025)
Susan Bernier
Chief Mkting & Philanthropy Officer
Chief Philanthropy & Mktg Officer → Chief Philanthropy Officer, 2023
Chief Philanthropy Officer → Chief Mkting & Philanthropy Officer, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$156K (2021) → $183K (2025)
Nicholas Battista
Chief Policy Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$115K (2023) → $144K (2025)
Jacqueline Little
Chief People & Culture Officer
Chief Human Resources Officer → Chief People & Culture Officer, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$124K (2024) → $148K (2025)
Jennifer Seavey
Chief Programs Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$171K (2025)
Peter King
Chief Financial Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$100K (2025)
Bryan Lewis
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Douglas Henderson
Vice Chair
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emily B Lane
Past Trustee
Chair → Trustee, 2023
Trustee → Past Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Megan McGinnis Dayton
Past Trustee
Trustee → Past Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael P Boyd
Clerk
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Johnson
Past Trustee
Trustee → Past Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donna Weigle
Past Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathrine Vogt
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: Barbara Kinney Sweet (2019–2024) — Past Trustee
- Former: Charles Owen Verrill Jr. (2019–2024) — Past Secretary
- Former: Donna Wiegle (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Kate Vogt (2019–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Anthony Chatwin (2022–2023) — Past President
- Former: Tom Tinsley (2019–2022) — Past Vice Chair
- Former: Robert Beams (2020–2022) — COO
- Former: Suzanne MacDonald (2021–2022) — Chief Community Development Officer
- Former: Robert Snyder (2019–2021) — President
- Former: Karen Burns (2021) — Chief Leadership Officer
- Former: Hannah M Pingree (2019–2020) — Past Trustee
- Former: Joseph R Higdon (2019–2020) — Past Chair
- Former: Katherine Drew McGhee (2019–2020) — Past Trustee
- Former: Luke Holden (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Natalie Ames (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Eric Waters (2019) — CFO
- Former: Henry L. Miller (2019) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $327K, to Kimberly Hamilton (President). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Island Institute
How much does Island Institute give each year?
Island Institute gave $442K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $197K across 13 grants.
What is Island Institute's typical grant size?
Island Institute's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $34,003, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Island Institute that year got $21K on average.
Where does Island Institute give grants?
Island Institute gives mostly in Maine: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Isle Au Haut, ME (2 grants) and Islesboro, ME (2 grants).
Does Island Institute give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Island Institute's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "ShoreUp planning grant" (5 grants) and "Broadband pass-through" (3 grants).
Who are Island Institute's largest grantees?
Island Institute's largest 2025 grantees include Luke's Lobster Holding LLC ($180,811), Town of Isle au Haut ($52,500 across 2 grants) and Eastport Energy Committee ($43,729), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Island Institute?
Island Institute reported $41.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.0M.
What does Island Institute fund?
Island Institute’s mission is to “boldly navigate climate and economic change with island and coastal communities to expand opportunities and deliver solutions.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Island Institute?
Island Institute has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check islandinstitute.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Island Institute's EIN?
Island Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2786731. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 27, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 11, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 19, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Live grants for the work Island Institute funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Island Institute'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
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
The Pew Charitable Trusts
Washington, DC
The Pew Charitable Trusts funds nonpartisan policy research and initiatives, civic participation, and—especially in Philadelphia—arts and culture and services for people in need. Its 2025 grants had a median of $75,000, though amounts varied widely; funding is national, with substantial support in Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. The profile does not state whether Pew accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
535
Total Given
$140.6M
The Oregon Community Foundation
Portland, OR
The Oregon Community Foundation funds Oregon nonprofits and community-serving projects across education, health, arts and culture, housing, economic and community vitality, and the environment. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, with awards ranging from about $5,000 to nearly $8 million; applications are accepted through specific grant programs and cycles, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$3.3B
Grants
2,149
Total Given
$171.4M
Davis Conservation Foundation
Yarmouth, ME
The Davis Conservation Foundation funds 501(c)(3) organizations working on wildlife, habitat, environmental protection, outdoor recreation, and community involvement, with priority for the Northern Forest and Gulf of Maine, then Northern New England. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $17,000 and ranged from $6,000 to $181,000. It accepts applications through its online system and does not require a pre-proposal or letter of inquiry.
Assets
$40.3M
Grants
62
Total Given
$1.5M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
More similar funders
More Funders in Maine
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Island Institute funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/island-institute-morg_aad679ade6ec407cbc60bba7b62c8086
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_222786731_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Island Institute funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/island-institute-morg_aad679ade6ec407cbc60bba7b62c8086},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Island Institute'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.
Island Institute down — hundreds of funders to go?