Kestrel Foundation of Maine
The Kestrel Foundation of Maine is a private foundation based in Portland, Maine. Its stated purposes include protecting and preserving the natural environment in Maine and elsewhere, as well as acquiring ecologically significant real property and receiving and granting conservation easements.
Kestrel Foundation of Maine at a glance
In short: Kestrel Foundation of Maine gave $248K across 18 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in Maine. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $247,841
- +15.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 18
- -5.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $13,769
- +21.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $196,300
- -55.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 18, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Maine (90% 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 Kestrel Foundation of Maine
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1 Union St Ste 302, Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 775-7200
Website: https://kestrelfoundationofmaine.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Kestrel Foundation of Maine funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Girls Foundation of Tanzania ($181K). Together the top 10 received $242K.
Grant Size Distribution
146 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 144 grants of 146 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated purposes include environmental protection and preservation in Maine and elsewhere. In 2024, 90% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maine; the reported shares for other recipient states were New York (4%), Massachusetts (3%), Connecticut (1%), and California (0%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Kestrel Foundation of Maine open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 18 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. How we count
- 83% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 224% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above 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 (2021) to $248K (2024). In 2024 it made 18 grants totaling $248K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Girls Foundation of Tanzania Portland, ME | Unrestricted Gift | $180,500 |
| Eastern Maine Conservation Initiative Portland, ME | Unrestricted Gift | $20,541 |
| The Chapin School New York, NY | Unrestricted Gift | $10,300 |
| Bay Chamber Concerts & Music School Rockport, ME | Unrestricted Gift | $10,000 |
| One Plympton Preservation Foundation Cambridge, MA | Unrestricted Gift | $6,000 |
| Maine Coast Heritage Trust Topsham, ME | Unrestricted Gift | $5,000 |
| The Landing School Arundel, ME | Unrestricted Gift | $5,000 |
| Miss Porter's School Farmington, CT | Unrestricted Gift | $2,500 |
| Africa Schoolhouse Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted Gift | $1,000 |
| African People & Wildlife Bernardsville, NJ | Unrestricted Gift | $1,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Kestrel Foundation of Maine?
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 | $196,300 | $78,552 | $362,955 | $247,841 | 18 | $355,348 | $12,370 | $18,648 |
| 2023 | $440,703 | $127,923 | $415,240 | $215,466 | 19 | $396,243 | $20,046 | $28,956 |
| 2022 | $728,374 | $572,366 | $282,672 | $88,950 | 22 | $88,950 | $278,904 | $30,044 |
| 2021 | $438,680 | $87,816 | $86,835 | $76,573 | 21 | $76,573 | $80,105 | $37,067 |
| 2020 | $437,699 | $18,100 | $89,600 | $80,524 | 66 | — | $11,066 | $33,877 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Kestrel Foundation of Maine reported a distributable amount of $19K 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
The foundation’s stated mission is the protection and preservation of the natural environment in Maine. Its 2024 grants also went to organizations working in education, conservation, historic preservation, and music.
Among its grantees, The Girls Foundation of Tanzania says it provides educational support—including scholarships and career guidance—to girls who might otherwise be unable to continue their education beyond primary school. Eastern Maine Conservation Initiative describes its work as fostering environmentally sustainable communities along the eastern Maine coast and supporting appreciation of the region’s cultural and ecological communities. Maine Coast Heritage Trust says it advances conservation of Maine’s lands and waters. Palaver Strings describes its mission as strengthening and inspiring community through music.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 18 grants totaling $247,841. Awards ranged from $200 to $180,500, with a median grant of $1,000. The largest 2024 grants included $180,500 to The Girls Foundation of Tanzania, $20,541 to Eastern Maine Conservation Initiative, $10,300 to The Chapin School, and $10,000 to Bay Chamber Concerts & Music School. These grants were listed as unrestricted gifts.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists John P.M. Higgins as president, Nancy M. Chatfield as treasurer, and Ellen H. Berger as secretary. The foundation’s website identifies Higgins as its president.
Kestrel Foundation of Maine is led by John Pm Higgins, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John Pm Higgins
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ellen H. Berger
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy M. Chatfield
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Kestrel Foundation of Maine
How much does Kestrel Foundation of Maine give each year?
Kestrel Foundation of Maine gave $248K across 18 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $215K across 19 grants.
What is Kestrel Foundation of Maine's typical grant size?
Kestrel Foundation of Maine's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $13,769, across 18 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Kestrel Foundation of Maine give grants?
Kestrel Foundation of Maine gives mostly in Maine: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, ME (4 grants).
Does Kestrel Foundation of Maine give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Kestrel Foundation of Maine's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (18 of 18) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Kestrel Foundation of Maine's largest grantees?
Kestrel Foundation of Maine's largest 2024 grantees include The Girls Foundation of Tanzania ($180,500), Eastern Maine Conservation Initiative ($20,541) and The Chapin School ($10,300), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 85% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Kestrel Foundation of Maine?
Kestrel Foundation of Maine reported $196K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $355K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $19K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Kestrel Foundation of Maine fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is the protection and preservation of the natural environment in Maine. Its 2024 grants also went to organizations working in education, conservation, historic preservation, and music. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Kestrel Foundation of Maine?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Kestrel Foundation of Maine's EIN?
Kestrel Foundation of Maine's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-3870227. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Kestrel Foundation of Maine 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 21, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Kestrel Foundation of Maine funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/kestrel-foundation-of-maine-morg_a8c3aeb1c6b54b3badfcd100eb553f7e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_473870227_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Kestrel Foundation of Maine funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/kestrel-foundation-of-maine-morg_a8c3aeb1c6b54b3badfcd100eb553f7e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Kestrel Foundation of Maine'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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