John T Gorman Foundation
The John T. Gorman Foundation is a private foundation based in Portland, Maine. It works to improve the lives of people in Maine, particularly those experiencing poverty, with a special interest in strengthening children and families and helping communities provide supports and opportunities to thrive.
John T Gorman Foundation at a glance
In short: John T Gorman Foundation gave $7.5M across 154 grants in 2024 (avg $49K), mostly in Maine. 23% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $7,535,759
- -11.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 154
- -4.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $48,934
- -7.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,250
- Total assets
- $223,518,154
- +4.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (36 of 154, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Maine (89% 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 John T Gorman Foundation
- Invitation Only
-
The Foundation generally does not fund unsolicited proposals. Organizations may contact it with an idea aligned with its strategic focus, providing a brief description of the issue, proposed approach and rationale, and implementation cost. Most foundation-initiated grants are by invitation, and no deadline is listed for those grants.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 Direct Services Grant Program application period was scheduled for June 1–22, 2026. That cycle has passed. The program’s 2026 eligibility was narrowed to services addressing food insecurity and housing or shelter needs.
- Deadline
- The 2026 Direct Services Grant Program application period was scheduled for June 1–22, 2026.
- Contact
Application contact: Jennifer Beck
Mailing address: 200 Middle Street Suite 804, Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 518-6784
Website: https://www.jtgfoundation.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 John T Gorman Foundation
Who John T Gorman Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lewiston Public Schools ($345K). Together the top 10 received $2.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
746 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 553 grants of 746 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s stated work centers on Maine children, families, and communities. In 2024, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maine; recipients in Illinois received 4%, Massachusetts 2%, New Hampshire 2%, and Washington, D.C. 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 154 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is John T Gorman Foundation open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 36 of 154 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $41K; repeat grants $51K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $22K repeat.
- 56% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $7.0M (2020) to $8.7M (2022). In 2024 it made 154 grants totaling $7.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lewiston Public Schools Lewiston, ME | Academic and social-emotional support programs | $345,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Bangor Bangor, ME | Moving Families Forward; behavioral health support | $316,000 |
| MaineHealth Portland, ME | Child and family health and support services; health care development | $310,000 |
| Bangor Housing Development Corporation Bangor, ME | Moving Families Forward; youth academic and career exporation; community events | $297,000 |
| The Root Cellar Portland, ME | Expanding physical space; provide general support | $275,000 |
| Mercy Hospital Brewer, ME | McAuley Residences; general support; professional development | $263,000 |
| Maine Cancer Foundation Falmouth, ME | To support the John T. Gorman Cancer Fund; transportation costs | $250,000 |
| Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL | To support the implementation of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System in Maine | $240,000 |
| Sanford Public Schools Sanford, ME | Empowering Families, Elevating Early Learners initiative | $235,000 |
| Trekkers Inc Rockland, ME | To support the MidCoast Community Collaborative | $215,000 |
Ready to take the next step with John T Gorman Foundation?
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 | $223,518,154 | $13,640,176 | $10,922,942 | $7,535,759 | 154 | $9,911,850 | $8,900,255 | $10,569,543 |
| 2023 | $214,146,299 | $13,301,002 | $11,602,483 | $8,467,235 | 161 | $10,800,712 | $10,660,341 | $9,952,339 |
| 2022 | $203,958,570 | $7,808,084 | $11,925,916 | $8,663,448 | 148 | $11,174,193 | $6,669,054 | $10,683,706 |
| 2021 | $247,615,876 | $14,457,212 | $11,108,465 | $7,300,580 | 151 | $9,325,035 | $21,264,067 | $11,145,912 |
| 2020 | $221,453,913 | $2,984,161 | $10,801,395 | $6,978,230 | 132 | — | $7,839,485 | $9,371,653 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John T Gorman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $10.6M 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’s stated mission is to make Maine a more equitable place where all children and families can thrive. Its foundation-initiated investments focus on education, social capital, physical and mental health, wealth and assets, and employment navigation and supports. The Foundation also describes its work as supporting strategies that strengthen whole families and may inform wider practice and policy changes.
The Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations and government-affiliated entities. Examples illustrate the range of grantees: the Boys & Girls Club of Bangor says its mission is to help young people, especially those most in need, reach their full potential; Bangor Housing Development Corporation says it develops or supports projects providing low- and moderate-income rentals in Maine; and Educate Maine says it champions college and career readiness and seeks to increase educational attainment in Maine’s workforce.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 154 grants totaling $7,535,759. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $345,000, with a median award of $20,250. Among the largest grants were $345,000 to Lewiston Public Schools for academic and social-emotional support programs; $316,000 to Boys and Girls Club of Bangor for Moving Families Forward and behavioral health support; $310,000 to MaineHealth for child and family health and support services; and $297,000 to Bangor Housing Development Corporation for Moving Families Forward, youth academic and career exploration, and community events. Other notable awards included $275,000 to The Root Cellar and $263,000 to Mercy Hospital.
The Foundation’s website describes most foundation-initiated grants as invitation-only, for grantees with demonstrated capacity for whole-family or two-generation approaches. Its Direct Services Grant Program provides program or project funding and general operating support to nonprofits addressing food insecurity and housing or shelter needs for Maine people experiencing poverty. General operating grants are limited to organizations whose sole mission is serving Maine residents experiencing poverty.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Nicole Witherbee as President, CEO, and Director; Michael Bevilacqua as CFO/Treasurer and Chief Operating Officer; and Shawn O Gorman as Chairman and Director. It also lists Anne Dinsmore, Maggie Christie Keohan, Richard W Petersen, Rebecca Hatfield, and John Sullivan as directors, and Martha E Greene as Secretary and Director.
John T Gorman Foundation is led by Nicole Witherbee ex officio, President, CEO & Director on every filing since 2022; 2 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nicole Witherbee ex officio
President, CEO & Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$347K (2022) → $384K (2024)
Shawn O Gorman
Chairman & Director
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anne Dinsmore
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maggie Christie Keohan
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Martha E Greene
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard W Petersen
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Sullivan
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Hatfield
Director
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Bevilacqua
CFO, Treasurer & Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$279K (2022) → $303K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Anthony Cipollone ex officio (2020–2022) — President, CEO & Director
- Former: Weston Bonney (2020–2022) — Treasurer & Director
- Former: Jeffrey J Gorman (2020–2021) — Vice Chairman & 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 $384K, to Nicole Witherbee ex officio (President, CEO, & Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about John T Gorman Foundation
How much does John T Gorman Foundation give each year?
John T Gorman Foundation gave $7.5M across 154 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $8.5M across 161 grants.
What is John T Gorman Foundation's typical grant size?
John T Gorman Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,250, and its average grant was $48,934, across 154 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from John T Gorman Foundation that year got $41K on average.
Where does John T Gorman Foundation give grants?
John T Gorman Foundation gives mostly in Maine: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, ME (34 grants), Lewiston, ME (12 grants), Bangor, ME (11 grants) and Augusta, ME (11 grants).
Does John T Gorman Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 42% of John T Gorman Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (64 of 154) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are John T Gorman Foundation's largest grantees?
John T Gorman Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Lewiston Public Schools ($345,000), Boys and Girls Club of Bangor ($316,000) and MaineHealth ($310,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is John T Gorman Foundation?
John T Gorman Foundation reported $223.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $10.6M (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 John T Gorman Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to make Maine a more equitable place where all children and families can thrive. Its foundation-initiated investments focus on education, social capital, physical and mental health, wealth and assets, and employment navigation and supports. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from John T Gorman Foundation?
The Foundation generally does not fund unsolicited proposals. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is John T Gorman Foundation's EIN?
John T Gorman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0498551. 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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in John T Gorman Foundation'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
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
Maine Health Access Foundation Inc
Augusta, ME
Maine Health Access Foundation supports nonprofit, government, and educational projects that improve health care access and health equity in Maine, with priorities including rural health, behavioral and oral health, and children’s and older adults’ health. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $25,000, though awards ranged widely; it also offers smaller project grants of up to $5,000 locally or $10,000 statewide.
Assets
$154.4M
Grants
126
Total Given
$5.0M
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
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
Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The foundation supports Maine community initiatives, especially in libraries, literacy, community health, and arts and culture, with particular interest in underserved people and the Greater Bangor region. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $800,000, with a median of $20,000; for its limited 2026 opportunity, eligible Maine public libraries and public safety organizations may request up to $50,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; other organizations are asked to wait until 2027.
Assets
$16.2M
Grants
217
Total Given
$6.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Maine
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). John T Gorman Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/john-t-gorman-foundation-morg_c195491ee73f4a1fbeb5cbdfec128d4b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_010498551_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{John T Gorman Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/john-t-gorman-foundation-morg_c195491ee73f4a1fbeb5cbdfec128d4b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 John T Gorman Foundation'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.
John T Gorman Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?