Kestrel Foundation of Maine
The Kestrel Foundation of Maine is a private foundation organized as a domestic nonprofit corporation in the State of Maine in April 2015. It received federal tax-exempt status from the IRS in February 2016 under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), with Employer Identification Number 47-3870227. The foundation is based in Portland, Maine.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$248K
+15.0% YoY
Grant Count
18
-5.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14K
+21.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Kestrel Foundation is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes. Its core mission centers on the protection and preservation of the natural environment in Maine and elsewhere. The foundation also focuses on the acquisition of ecologically significant real property and the receipt and granting of conservation easements.
Primary funding areas include:
- Nonprofit human services
- Human and social service grants
- Poverty alleviation
- Arts grants for nonprofits
- Education
- Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking
Grantmaking
The foundation made 21 grants in 2024. Typical grant awards range from $100 to $180,500.
Ready to take the next step with Kestrel Foundation of Maine?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2024:
- Total assets: $196,300
- Total revenues: $78,552
- Total expenses: $362,955
- Total giving: $247,841
- Number of employees: 0
Revenue Breakdown (2024):
- Total grants and contributions: $58,573
- Investment income and dividends: $19,912
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $65
Year-over-Year Changes (2024 vs. 2023):
- Grants and contributions decreased 38.8%
- Investment income and dividends decreased 38.2%
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
130 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Girls Foundation of Tanzania ($180,500), Eastern Maine Conservation Initiative ($20,541), The Chapin School ($10,300).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICA SCHOOLHOUSE LOS ANGELES, CA | UNRESTRICTED GIFT | $1,000 |
| AFRICAN PEOPLE & WILDLIFE BERNARDSVILLE, NJ | UNRESTRICTED GIFT | $1,000 |
| BAY CHAMBER CONCERTS & MUSIC SCHOOL ROCKPORT, ME | UNRESTRICTED GIFT | $10,000 |
| BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL BOSTON, MA | UNRESTRICTED GIFT | $200 |
| EASTERN MAINE CONSERVATION INITIATIVE PORTLAND, ME | UNRESTRICTED GIFT | $20,541 |
| FOUNDATION FOR AFRICAN MEDICINE & EDUCATION WASHINGTON, DC | UNRESTRICTED GIFT | $1,000 |
| MAINE COAST HERITAGE TRUST TOPSHAM, ME | UNRESTRICTED GIFT | $5,000 |
| MILESTONE RECOVERY PORTLAND, ME | UNRESTRICTED GIFT | $500 |
| MISS PORTER'S SCHOOL FARMINGTON, CT | UNRESTRICTED GIFT | $2,500 |
| ONE PLYMPTON PRESERVATION FOUNDATION CAMBRIDGE, MA | UNRESTRICTED GIFT | $6,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN PM HIGGINS | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| NANCY M CHATFIELD | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| ELLEN H BERGER | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Kestrel Foundation of Maine fund?
The Kestrel Foundation is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes. Its core mission centers on the protection and preservation of the natural environment in Maine and elsewhere. The foundation also focuses on the acquisition of ecologically significant real property and the receipt and granting of conservation easements. Primary funding areas include: • Nonprofit human services • Human and social service grants • Poverty alleviation • Arts grants fo…
How do I apply for a grant from Kestrel Foundation of Maine?
The foundation made 21 grants in 2024. Typical grant awards range from $100 to $180,500. Recent grants include: • The Girls Foundation of Tanzania: $180,500 (unrestricted gift, December 2024) • Eastern Maine Conservation Initiative: $20,541 (unrestricted gift, December 2024) • The Chapin School: $10,300 (unrestricted gift, December 2024) Total giving in 2024 was $247,841.
Where does Kestrel Foundation of Maine make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
What size grants does Kestrel Foundation of Maine award?
In 2024, Kestrel Foundation of Maine awarded 18 grants totaling $248K — an average of about $14K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kestrel Foundation of Maine's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Grand Chapter of Maine Order of the Eastern Star
AUGUSTA, ME
Assets
$2.9M
Grants
1
Total Given
$5K
Bangor Theological Seminary
PORTLAND, ME
Assets
$22.4M
Grants
3
Total Given
$11K
Maine Hospital Association Inc
AUGUSTA, ME
Assets
$8.0M
Grants
1
Total Given
$10K
The Ruth J Jones Charitable Foundation
DAMARISCOTTA, ME
Assets
$3.2M
Grants
18
Total Given
$255K
Bowery Beach School Bldg Maintenance Tr
SOUTH PORTLAND, ME
Assets
$29K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
United Way of Tri Vally Area
FARMINGTON, ME
Assets
$306K
Grants
13
Total Given
$77K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Kestrel Foundation of Maine on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Kestrel Foundation of Maine to a real strategy.