Kestrel Foundation of Maine logo

Kestrel Foundation of Maine

Private foundation · Grantmaker Portland, ME EIN: 47-3870227 Website

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.

Key facts about Kestrel Foundation of Maine

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.

EIN
47-3870227
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$247,841
Grants made (2024)
18
Average grant
$13,769
Median grant
$1,000
New grantees (estimate)
0% first-time grantees (0 of 18, 2024; small sample)
Total assets
$196,300
Primary geography
Maine (90% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to apply
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$196K

-55.5% YoY

Annual Giving

$248K

+15.0% YoY

Grant Count

18

-5.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$14K

+21.4% YoY

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.

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.

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.

How to Apply

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Kestrel Foundation of Maine?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

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

10states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.

Cities

PortlandBostonRocklandCambridgeWashingtonFarmingtonLos AngelesNew YorkNorthamptonTopshamArundelColchesterConcordFalls VillageScarboroughRockportBernardsvilleFalmouthHallowellAuburn

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K66 grants2020 21 grants2021 22 grants2022 19 grants2023 18 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $77K (2021) to $248K (2024). In 2024 it made 18 grants totaling $248K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

The Girls Foundation of Tanzania: $181KThe Girls Foundation ofTanzania$181KEastern Maine Conservation Initiative: $21KEastern Maine ConservationInitiative$21KThe Chapin School: $10KThe Chapin School$10KBay Chamber Concerts & Music School: $10KBay Chamber Concerts & MusicSchool$10KOne Plympton Preservation Foundation: $6KOne Plympton PreservationFoundation$6KMaine Coast Heritage Trust: $5KMaine Coast Heritage Trust$5KThe Landing School: $5KThe Landing School$5KMiss Porter's School: $3KMiss Porter's School$3KAfrica Schoolhouse: $1KAfrica Schoolhouse$1KAfrican People & Wildlife: $1KAfrican People & Wildlife$1K

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

144<$50K$50–100K2$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 144 grants of 146 (99%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
The Girls Foundation of Tanzania Portland, MEUnrestricted Gift$180,500
Eastern Maine Conservation Initiative Portland, MEUnrestricted Gift$20,541
The Chapin School New York, NYUnrestricted Gift$10,300
Bay Chamber Concerts & Music School Rockport, MEUnrestricted Gift$10,000
One Plympton Preservation Foundation Cambridge, MAUnrestricted Gift$6,000
Maine Coast Heritage Trust Topsham, MEUnrestricted Gift$5,000
The Landing School Arundel, MEUnrestricted Gift$5,000
Miss Porter's School Farmington, CTUnrestricted Gift$2,500
Africa Schoolhouse Los Angeles, CAUnrestricted Gift$1,000
African People & Wildlife Bernardsville, NJUnrestricted Gift$1,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Grants given Number of grants
2024 $247,841 18
2023 $215,466 19
2022 $88,950 22
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$200K$400K$600K$800K2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$196,300$440,703$728,374
Revenue$78,552$127,923$572,366
Expenses$362,955$415,240$282,672
Qualifying Distributions$355,348$396,243$88,950
Net Investment Income$12,370$20,046$278,904
Distributable Amount$18,648$28,956$30,044

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 21, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 25, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 7, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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.

Contact

Mailing address: 1 Union St Ste 302, Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 775-7200
Website: https://kestrelfoundationofmaine.org

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.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Kestrel Foundation of Maine by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Kestrel Foundation of Maine'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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$807.6M

Grants

1,161

Total Given

$57.6M

The Murray Charitable Trust

Portland, ME

Assets

$128K

Grants

75

Total Given

$21K

The Widgeon Point Charitable Foundation

New York, NY

The Widgeon Point Charitable Foundation supports a wide range of U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits, with grants spanning community services, arts, food access, and other activities; most of its 2025 grant dollars went to Maine. In 2025, grants ranged from $500 to $86,000, with a median of $1,500. It does not accept unsolicited requests, considering applications only from recent grantees or organizations expressly invited by a Grant Committee member.

Assets

$56.1M

Grants

58

Total Given

$251K

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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$28.0M

Grants

125

Total Given

$3.3M

Davis Family Foundation

Yarmouth, ME

The Davis Family Foundation funds eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in education, health care, and arts and cultural activities, prioritizing Southern Maine and then the rest of Maine; projects elsewhere in New England must benefit Maine learners. Its 2024 grants ranged from $6,000 to $400,000, with a median of $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$100.5M

Grants

92

Total Given

$3.2M

The Apple Lane Foundation Inc

New York, NY

The Apple Lane Foundation funds a broad range of charitable work, including recreation, emergency response, education, health, housing, food assistance, and peacebuilding. In 2025, grants ranged from $100 to $36,106, with a median of $1,500; the largest shares went to organizations in California, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, and Iowa. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$9.0M

Grants

265

Total Given

$675K

Saco & Biddeford Savings

Saco, ME

Saco & Biddeford Savings supports Maine nonprofits working in areas including food access, health and social services, education, youth, arts, elder care, and community development, with most giving concentrated in Southern Maine. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $50,200, with a median of $1,000. It accepts applications from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations; no deadline is listed.

Assets

$478K

Grants

168

Total Given

$372K

TD Charitable Foundation

Portland, ME

TD Charitable Foundation funds education, human services, housing and eviction prevention, nonprofit training, and community initiatives, with emphasis on inclusion and underserved and low-to-moderate-income communities. Its 2025 grants ranged from $300 to $250,000, with a median of $10,000; its filing lists a typical award range of $135–$475,000. It focuses primarily on Florida, New Jersey, and New York, and its 2023 filing says applications are available online; applicants must be eligible 501(c)(3) public charities in states with a TD Bank branch.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$9.1M

Grants

1,003

Total Given

$24.9M

Simple Generosity Foundation

Cape Elizabeth, ME

Simple Generosity Foundation supports nonprofits across varied missions, with an emphasis on smaller organizations, mainly in the United States. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,002 to $271,548, with a median of $6,287. It does not describe an open unsolicited-request process: nonprofits must join its network and be matched to a client giving program to receive donations.

Religion Related

Assets

$2.8M

Grants

339

Total Given

$4.4M

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

Onion Foundation

Auburn, ME

Onion Foundation funds Maine nonprofits working in the arts and environment, including nature learning, with particular attention to rural and underserved communities. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $625,000, with a median of $15,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through its online grant portal.

Assets

$63.6M

Grants

245

Total Given

$4.4M

Maine Technology Institute

Portland, ME

MTI funds research, development, and commercialization of innovations in seven technology sectors, supporting Maine-based businesses, nonprofits, academic institutions, and entrepreneurs through grants, loans, equity investments, and services. In 2025, its grants ranged from $5,040 to $3 million, with a median award of $50,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$22.5M

Grants

194

Total Given

$22.2M

More Funders in Maine

Kestrel Foundation of Maine down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?