Lunder Foundation
The Lunder Foundation is a private foundation based in Portland, Maine. It supports organizations in higher education, the arts, and health care, as well as charities in its principal geographic area of Maine and Massachusetts.
Lunder Foundation at a glance
In short: Lunder Foundation gave $24.4M across 153 grants in 2025 (avg $159K), mostly in Massachusetts. 19% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $24,357,347
- +11.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 153
- +3.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $159,198
- +7.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,016
- Total assets
- $380,174
- -53.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (20 of 108, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (50% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Lunder Foundation
- How to Apply
It asks organizations to submit a brief, one-to-three-page letter describing the project, drive, or campaign, including the need, number of people benefited, geographic area served, total fundraising goal, and amount…
It asks organizations to submit a brief, one-to-three-page letter describing the project, drive, or campaign, including the need, number of people benefited, geographic area served, total fundraising goal, and amount requested. Capital campaigns and special projects should also include a budget. Applicants should enclose their 501(c)(3) determination letter and other supporting materials. For major grants, the foundation normally requires grantees to raise matching funds from other organizations and individuals.
- Contact
Application contact: The Lunder Foundation Co Kenilworth
Mailing address: Two Monument Square Suite 530, Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 775-7676
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Lunder Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Massachusetts General Hospital ($4.8M across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $21.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
798 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 627 grants of 798 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation identifies Maine and Massachusetts as its principal geographic area of interest. In 2025, 50% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts and 44% to recipients in Maine. Smaller shares went to Florida (4%), New York (1%), and the District of Columbia (0%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 153 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Lunder Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 20 of 108 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $160K; repeat grants $240K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 74% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+17%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 $13.8M (2020) to $24.4M (2025). In 2025 it made 153 grants totaling $24.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts General Hospital Boston, MA | Learning Initiative | $4,801,875 |
| Northeastern Universityroux Institute Boston, MA | Annual Fund | $3,062,856 |
| Colby College Waterville, ME | Endowment Fund | $2,385,715 |
| Hebrew Seniorlife Boston, MA | Project Support | $1,266,697 |
| Maine Public Broadcasting Lewiston, ME | Programming Fund | $1,004,292 |
| Lesley University Cambridge, MA | Annual Fund | $1,002,985 |
| Colby College Museum of Art Waterville, ME | Art Purchase Fund | $800,313 |
| Dana-Farber Boston, MA | Chair/LL Research | $754,244 |
| Colby College Waterville, ME | Alumni Fund Lunder Scholars | $727,500 |
| Colby College Waterville, ME | CCMA Lunder Collection Fund | $714,285 |
Ready to take the next step with Lunder 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $380,174 | $57,683,764 | $24,710,350 | $24,357,347 | 153 | $24,663,515 | $756,671 | $666,125 |
| 2024 | $817,638 | $37,546,954 | $22,187,307 | $21,842,691 | 148 | $22,148,127 | $682,036 | $679,941 |
| 2023 | $2,801,696 | $38,327,642 | $18,875,581 | $18,553,059 | 162 | $18,836,877 | $448,812 | $555,655 |
| 2022 | $98,855 | $42,005,213 | $21,069,646 | $20,756,031 | 169 | $21,032,535 | $475,850 | $369,933 |
| 2021 | $114,918 | $28,179,943 | $14,149,274 | $13,842,718 | 166 | $14,114,232 | $402,356 | $340,376 |
| 2020 | $203,668 | $28,645,883 | $13,909,022 | $13,809,567 | 171 | — | $280,336 | $243,145 |
| 2019 | $209,131 | $32,614,937 | $15,565,068 | $15,448,550 | 147 | — | $276,936 | $233,928 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lunder Foundation reported a distributable amount of $666K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement is provided. The foundation states that it contributes to organizations in higher education, the arts, and health care, and to charities in Maine and Massachusetts.
Its grantees illustrate these areas. Maine Public Broadcasting describes its work as connecting Maine residents through information, ideas, and cultural content. Lesley University says it engages students through education, research, and artistic expression. Dana-Farber describes its purpose as supporting the exempt missions of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and providing investment management services. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work, not statements of the foundation’s mission.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 153 grants totaling $24,357,347. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $4,801,875, with a median of $2,016.
Among the largest grants were $4,801,875 to Massachusetts General Hospital for a learning initiative; $3,062,856 to Northeastern University Roux Institute for its annual fund; $2,385,715 to Colby College for its endowment fund; $1,266,697 to Hebrew SeniorLife for project support; and $1,004,292 to Maine Public Broadcasting for its programming fund. Other large grants included $1,002,985 to Lesley University for its annual fund and $800,313 to Colby College Museum of Art for an art purchase fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Paula Lunder as chair and director; Peter Lunder as treasurer and director; Kevin M. Gillis as president; and John B. Emory, Steven W. Lunder, Alan E. Lunder, Marc F. Lunder, and Marjorie J. Lunder as directors.
Lunder Foundation is led by Kevin M. Gillis, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kevin M. Gillis
President
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paula Lunder
Chair & Director
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alan E. Lunder
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John B. Emory
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marc F. Lunder
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Lunder
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven W. Lunder
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marjorie J. Lunder
Director
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Marjorie L. Goldy (2019–2020) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about Lunder Foundation
How much does Lunder Foundation give each year?
Lunder Foundation gave $24.4M across 153 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $21.8M across 148 grants.
What is Lunder Foundation's typical grant size?
Lunder Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,016, and its average grant was $159,198, across 153 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Lunder Foundation that year got $160K on average.
Where does Lunder Foundation give grants?
Lunder Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Maine (44%). The most frequent recipient cities were Waterville, ME (33 grants), Portland, ME (25 grants), Boston, MA (14 grants) and New York, NY (11 grants).
Does Lunder Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 42% of Lunder Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (65 of 153) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "School of Education" (9 grants), "Project Support" (8 grants) and "Art Museum" (6 grants).
Who are Lunder Foundation's largest grantees?
Lunder Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Massachusetts General Hospital ($4,802,075 across 3 grants), Colby College ($4,531,232 across 10 grants) and Northeastern Universityroux Institute ($3,062,856), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 51% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Lunder Foundation?
Lunder Foundation reported $380K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $24.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $666K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Lunder Foundation fund?
No mission statement is provided. The foundation states that it contributes to organizations in higher education, the arts, and health care, and to charities in Maine and Massachusetts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lunder Foundation?
It asks organizations to submit a brief, one-to-three-page letter describing the project, drive, or campaign, including the need, number of people benefited, geographic area served, total fundraising goal, and amount… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Lunder Foundation's EIN?
Lunder Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0437556. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 14, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 5, 2022)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lunder Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Lunder Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/lunder-foundation-morg_b8e64a51205440c49dd2b60a863bb284
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_010437556_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Lunder Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/lunder-foundation-morg_b8e64a51205440c49dd2b60a863bb284},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Lunder 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.
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