Maine Community Foundation Inc
Maine Community Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Ellsworth, Maine. Founded in 1983, it brings donors and resources together to support charitable organizations, communities, and scholarship recipients in Maine.
Maine Community Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Maine Community Foundation Inc gave $57.6M across 1,161 grants in 2024 (avg $50K), mostly in Maine. 25% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $57,612,395
- +7.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1,161
- +5.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $49,623
- +2.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $17,500
- Total assets
- $807,558,442
- +10.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (285 of 1,158, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Maine (65% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Maine Community Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Competitive grant applications are submitted online; the foundation says it does not accept paper, PDF, or Word versions of applications or supporting materials. Eligible applicants include qualifying 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, municipalities, public schools, Maine public agencies, and recognized Indian tribal governments or their political subdivisions. Groups without tax status may apply with an eligible fiscal sponsor. Applicants must provide a list of board or advisory committee members, including each person’s town or city of residence and occupation; some projects require additional documents, such as a school or tribal letter of agreement. Program-specific requirements and deadlines vary. The foundation says applications generally open about three months before a program deadline and must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on the deadline, or the next business day if the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday. The Leonard and Renee Minsky Fund for Arts Education lists a December 15, 2026 deadline.
- Contact
Mailing address: 245 Main Street, Ellsworth, ME 04605
Phone: (207) 667-9735
Website: https://mainecf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
73 open opportunities from Maine Community Foundation Inc
Adult College Completion Fund Grant
Maine Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Adult Learner Scholarship - Long-Term Scholarship Award Grant
Maine Community Foundation Inc
Amount
US $1,000 - US $2,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Adult Learner Scholarship - Short-Term Credential Award Grant
Maine Community Foundation Inc
Amount
US $200 - US $1,200
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Maine Community Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Maine Farmland Trust ($2.5M). Together the top 10 received $8.9M.
Organizations only. It also paid 4 grants to individuals ($125,979), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
5,289 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4,154 grants of 5,289 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s competitive grant programs support work benefiting people and communities in Maine. Its programs include statewide and place-based opportunities, such as support for specific counties, regions, and communities. In the 2024 itemized grants, 65% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maine; other leading recipient states were Massachusetts (7%), California (5%), New York (3%), and Washington, D.C. (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 1,161 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Maine Community Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 285 of 1,158 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $32K; repeat grants $56K. How we count
Medians: $11K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $37.1M (2020) to $57.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 1,161 grants totaling $57.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Farmland Trust Belfast, ME | Farmland Preservation | $2,487,900 |
| Northeastern University Boston, MA | Education | $1,733,145 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Cincinnati, OH | Philanthropy | $801,573 |
| First Nations Development Institute Longmont, CO | Research | $600,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | Environment | $558,590 |
| Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness NPC Bangor, ME | Human Services, Transportation, Building Repairs | $554,000 |
| Maine Audubon Society Falmouth, ME | Environment, Professional Development | $546,055 |
| Sustainable Markets Foundation New York City, NY | Natural Resources Conservation & Protection | $536,000 |
| Mitchell Institute Portland, ME | Education | $522,030 |
| Opera House Arts Stonington, ME | Performing Arts | $520,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Maine Community Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $807,558,442 | $138,801,505 | $82,278,801 | $57,612,395 | 1,161 | $60,408,017 |
| 2023 | $732,240,535 | $108,670,378 | $72,289,614 | $53,438,189 | 1,101 | $56,536,762 |
| 2022 | $660,555,891 | $52,365,869 | $66,170,535 | $48,664,986 | 981 | $12,086,270 |
| 2021 | $775,677,002 | $98,048,575 | $54,618,819 | $37,361,486 | 988 | $43,871,072 |
| 2020 | $669,883,900 | $58,485,060 | $52,568,495 | $37,098,121 | 1,058 | $17,424,306 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to bring people and resources together to build a better Maine. It describes its vision as a vibrant and equitable Maine where people and communities thrive. Its website identifies climate, housing, and economic opportunity as areas where it seeks to deepen its impact, and describes equity as a commitment across its work.
Its competitive grant programs support work benefiting people and communities in Maine. Programs address areas including community building, land and water access, arts, theater, hospice services, animal welfare, and LGBTQ+ equity. The foundation also awards scholarships, including support for professional development and undergraduate and graduate study.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of its giving. Maine Farmland Trust says it protects farmland, supports farmers, and advances the future of farming. Maine Audubon says it works to conserve Maine’s wildlife and habitat through education, conservation, and action. Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences says its work combines research, education, and technology transfer to understand ocean ecosystems. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
The foundation’s 2024 filing itemizes 1,161 grants totaling $57,612,395. Grant sizes ranged from $5,030 to $2,487,900, with a median of $17,500. Separately, the foundation’s 2024 filing narrative says it provided more than $68 million in grants, including $3 million in scholarships to more than 1,400 recipients and more than 200 Community Building grants totaling $1.97 million. The narrative also reports 63 grants totaling $343,824 through Giving Together, associated with its largest single competitive grant program.
The largest itemized 2024 grant was $2,487,900 to Maine Farmland Trust for farmland preservation. Other large awards included $1,733,145 to Northeastern University for education; $600,000 to First Nations Development Institute for research; $558,590 to The Nature Conservancy for environment; and $554,000 to Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness NPC for human services, transportation, and building repairs. Additional major recipients included Maine Audubon Society, Mitchell Institute, Opera House Arts, and Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sarah Armentrout, Brian Bernatchez, Susan Hammond, and Mark Howard as directors. It also lists D Gregg Collins and Timothy Crowley as directors whose terms ended in June 2024; Scot Drager as a director beginning in June 2024; Matthew P DuBois as a director whose term ended in May 2024; Martha Dumont as a director whose term ended in June 2024; and Deborah A Jordan as a director whose term ended in June 2024.
Maine Community Foundation Inc is led by Deborah Ellwood, President, CEO & Executive Officio on every filing since 2022; 13 of 35 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Deborah Ellwood
President, CEO & Executive Officio
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$172K (2022) → $334K (2024)
Adilah Muhammad
Chair & Director
Director → Vice Chair & Director, 2021
Vice Chair & Director → Chair & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Richard
Clerk & Director of Gift Planning
Director & Gift Planning → Clerk & Director Gift Planning, 2022
Clerk & Director Gift Planning → Clerk & Director of Gift Planning, 2023
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$101K (2021) → $122K (2024)
Liana Kingsbury
Director of Non-Profit Agency Funds
Director & Non-Profit Agency Funds → Director of Non-Profit Agency Funds, 2024
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$101K (2021) → $120K (2024)
Elena Sulima
Director of Finance
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$122K (2022) → $130K (2024)
Colby Tucker
Director of Information Technology
New on the 2024 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$116K (2024)
Laura Reed
Director, Resources & Cmnty Engagement
New on the 2024 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$112K (2024)
Matthew Grondin
Director of Communications & Marketing
New on the 2024 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$128K (2024)
Brian Bernatchez
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brooke Parish
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
D Gregg Collins
Director
Vice Chair & Director → Chair & Director, 2021
Chair & Director → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah A Jordan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Howard
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martha Dumont
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew P DuBois
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Armentrout
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Hammond
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tihtiyas Sabattus
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Timothy Crowley
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin Sprague
Vice Chair & Director
Director → Vice Chair & Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Claude Rwaganje
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joan Lili Pew
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Mallet
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amber Lambke
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shawn Yardley
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alistair Raymond
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ingrid Kiefer
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ray Rice
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scot Drager
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michele Camarco
Treasurer, Vice President & CFO
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$143K (2021) → $188K (2024)
Brendon Reay
Treasurer, Vice President, CFO & CIO
Vice President & Investments → Treasurer, Vice President, CFO & CIO, 2024
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$152K (2022) → $233K (2024)
Laura Lee
Vice President & Community Impact
Director & Grantmaking → Vice President & Community Impact, 2023
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$104K (2022) → $165K (2024)
Bree Arsenault
Vice President & Philanthropy
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$95K (2023) → $189K (2024)
Emily Baer
Secretary & Assistant to President
Secretary & Executive Assistant → Secretary & Assistant to President, 2024
On filings since 2023
37.5 hrs/week
$58K (2023) → $33K (2024)
Rebecca Yturregui
Vice President & Donor Engagement
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$103K (2023) → $172K (2024)
Former officers (19)
- Former: Jennifer Southard (2020–2023) — Vice President, Donor Svc's & Operations
- Former: Laura Young (2020–2023) — Vice President & Philanthropy
- Former: Lelia DeAndrade (2020–2023) — Vice President & Community Impact
- Former: Cherie Gaylen (2022–2023) — Director, Learning & Policy
- Former: Elizabeth Fickett (2023) — Director of Grants & Scholarships
- Former: Hannah Whalen (2023) — Director of Donor Engagement
- Former: Karen W Stanley (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Matthew A Polstein (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Sidney St F Thaxter (2020–2022) — Clerk
- Former: Chris Woods (2021–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Sterling Speirn (2021–2022) — President, CEO & Executive Officio
- Former: Anna E Roosevelt (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: G Steven Rowe (2020–2021) — President, CEO & Executive Officio
- Former: James E Geary (2020–2021) — Treasurer, Vice President & CFO
- Former: Lydia Badger (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Peter Rothschild (2020–2021) — Chief Investment Officer
- Former: S Peter Mills (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth R Hilpman (2020) — Director
- Former: Peter F Lamb (2020) — 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 $334K, to Deborah Ellwood (President/CEO/Ex Officio). 13 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Maine Community Foundation Inc
How much does Maine Community Foundation Inc give each year?
Maine Community Foundation Inc gave $57.6M across 1,161 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $53.4M across 1,101 grants.
What is Maine Community Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Maine Community Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $17,500, and its average grant was $49,623, across 1,161 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Maine Community Foundation Inc that year got $32K on average.
Where does Maine Community Foundation Inc give grants?
Maine Community Foundation Inc gives mostly in Maine: 65% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, ME (159 grants), Augusta, ME (37 grants), Lewiston, ME (34 grants) and Bangor, ME (32 grants).
Does Maine Community Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 1% of Maine Community Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 1,161) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Education" (132 grants), "Environment" (57 grants) and "Land Resources Conservation" (44 grants).
Who are Maine Community Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Maine Community Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Maine Farmland Trust ($2,487,900), Northeastern University ($1,733,145) and Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund ($801,573), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 4 grants to individuals ($125,979), which are not listed by name. Together they received 9% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Maine Community Foundation Inc?
Maine Community Foundation Inc reported $807.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $138.8M.
What does Maine Community Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to bring people and resources together to build a better Maine. It describes its vision as a vibrant and equitable Maine where people and communities thrive. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Maine Community Foundation Inc?
Competitive grant applications are submitted online; the foundation says it does not accept paper, PDF, or Word versions of applications or supporting materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Maine Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
Maine Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0391479. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Maine Community Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Maine Community Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
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
Davis Conservation Foundation
Yarmouth, ME
The Davis Conservation Foundation funds 501(c)(3) organizations working on wildlife, habitat, environmental protection, outdoor recreation, and community involvement, with priority for the Northern Forest and Gulf of Maine, then Northern New England. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $17,000 and ranged from $6,000 to $181,000. It accepts applications through its online system and does not require a pre-proposal or letter of inquiry.
Assets
$40.3M
Grants
62
Total Given
$1.5M
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.
Assets
$100.5M
Grants
92
Total Given
$3.2M
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
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
More similar funders
More Funders in Maine
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Maine Community Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/maine-community-foundation-inc-morg_3b63a03ce2d04206b0db10bec2d80078
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_010391479_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Maine Community Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/maine-community-foundation-inc-morg_3b63a03ce2d04206b0db10bec2d80078},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-24. 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 Maine Community Foundation Inc'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.
Maine Community Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?