Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF) is a private nonprofit health care foundation based in Augusta, Maine. Established in 2001 from the sale of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine to Anthem Insurance Companies with an initial endowment of $82 million, it serves as the state's largest private nonprofit health care foundation. The foundation promotes access to quality health care and works to improve health outcomes across Maine, with particular focus on vulnerable populations facing disproportionate barriers to health care services.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$154.4M
+7.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.0M
-17.8% YoY
Grant Count
126
+1.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$40K
-19.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Maine Health Access Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $7.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To promote access to quality health care, especially for those who are uninsured and underserved, and improve the health of everyone in Maine.
The foundation directs its resources to advance four strategic priorities:
- Advancing health system reform
- Promoting patient-centered care
- Improving access to quality care
- Achieving better health in communities
Current focus areas include:
- Rural health
- Aging and older adults
- Behavioral health
- Maternal and child health
- Health equity capacity building
- Health justice movement building
- Health care workforce development
- Fiscal support strategies for small health organizations
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** $1,000 to $500,000
How to Apply
** Online grant portal available at grantinterface.com. Decision time varies by program, with typical timeframe of 6-8 weeks for Discretionary Grants.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Maine (statewide focus), with some grantmaking activity in Vermont and Nevada.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $154,407,890 (as of 2024)
Total Revenues: $15,777,926 (2024)
Total Expenses: $6,303,403 (2024)
Annual Giving: Approximately $5.3 million
Number of Employees: 9
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $154,407,890 | $144,323,858 | $121,412,224 |
| Revenue | $15,777,926 | $14,634,624 | $16,745,134 |
| Expenses | $6,303,403 | $8,783,121 | $11,360,101 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,426,141 | $8,327,837 | $7,300,891 |
| Net Investment Income | $16,459,573 | $25,997,424 | $1,531,046 |
| Distributable Amount | $7,216,457 | $6,361,504 | $6,392,248 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Maine Health Access Foundation Inc
MEHAF: Community Responsive Grants Program
Maine Health Access Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
MEHAF: Discretionary Grants Program
Maine Health Access Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
MEHAF: Meeting Support Program Grant
Maine Health Access Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $2,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Consumers for Affordable Health Care ($135,000), Cross Cultural Community Services ($102,000), EqualityMaine Foundation ($82,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AARP Foundation Washington, DC | Health Advocacy Grant | $25,000 |
| ACLU of Maine Foundation Portland, ME | Health Advocacy Grant | $25,000 |
| Affirming Behavioral Health Portland, ME | Transgender Mental Health Program | $50,000 |
| American Lung Association of Maine Augusta, ME | Designated Charitable Gift | $1,400 |
| Amistad Inc (dba Commonspace) Portland, ME | Health Equity Capacity; Needs Assessment for New Mainers | $35,000 |
| Aroostook Area Agency on Aging Inc Presque Isle, ME | MSP Enrollment; Improving Public Transportation for Better Health | $65,000 |
| Aroostook County Action Program Inc Presque Isle, ME | Vision and hearing screening equipment | $10,000 |
| Bath-Brunswick Respite Care Bath, ME | Caregiver Connect Educational Series | $1,000 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation Inc Boston, MA | 2024 Health Coverage Fellowship - ER Grant | $21,000 |
| Catholic Charities Maine Portland, ME | Dental Equipment | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- President and CEO: Jake Grindle (assumed role in January 2025)
- Grants Manager: Holly Irish
The foundation operates with a 15-member statewide Board of Trustees and receives guidance from a 20-member Community Advisory Committee.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara Leonard | President & CEO (end 12/2024) | 40 | $237,880 |
| Toho Soma MPH | Chair | 4 | $476 |
| Tracey Hair | Trustee | 2 | $476 |
| Barbara Crider | Trustee | 3 | $476 |
| Susan Roche Esq | Vice Chair | 3 | $476 |
| Christy Daggett MPP | Trustee | 3 | $457 |
| Kevin Lewis | Treasurer | 3 | $457 |
| Richard Evans | Trustee (start 4/2024) | 3 | $357 |
| Gia Drew | Trustee (start 4/2024) | 2 | $357 |
| Elizabeth Bordowitz | Trustee | 3 | — |
| Dennis King FACHE | Trustee (end 4/2024) | 2 | — |
| Michael Lambke MD | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Grace Odimayo DMD | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Anita Ruff | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Abdulkerim Said BASc HRTCA CHW | Trustee (end 4/2024) | 2 | — |
| Ellen Seidman | Trustee (start 4/2024) | 2 | — |
| Ian Yaffe | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Edward Miller MS | Treasurer (end 4/2024) | 3 | — |
| Clarissa Sabattis RN | Secretary | 3 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation awarded $1,250,000 to community-led organizations through its Community Responsive Grants program. The foundation continues to emphasize community voice and health equity in its grantmaking, with particular attention to addressing pressing health care challenges including growing inequities, access to health care and insurance, opioid and substance misuse, quality care for older and more diverse populations, health workforce shortages, and pressures on rural health systems.
Maine Health Access Foundation Inc - Grant Information ... - HinchillaSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Maine Health Access Foundation Inc fund?
**Mission:** To promote access to quality health care, especially for those who are uninsured and underserved, and improve the health of everyone in Maine. The foundation directs its resources to advance four strategic priorities: • Advancing health system reform • Promoting patient-centered care • Improving access to quality care • Achieving better health in communities **Current focus areas include:** • Rural health • Aging and older adults • Behavioral health • Maternal and child health • He…
How do I apply for a grant from Maine Health Access Foundation Inc?
**Grant Ranges:** $1,000 to $500,000 **Typical Awards:** $120 to $458,659 **Active Grant Programs:** • Community Responsive Grants Program • Discretionary Grants Program • Meeting Support Program • Systems Improvement and Innovation Responsive Grants Program **Program Details:** *Community Responsive Grants and Systems Improvement and Innovation Grants:* Open competitive grants programs that seek to center community-identified health and health care access needs and community-led solutions. Sup…
Where does Maine Health Access Foundation Inc make grants?
Maine (statewide focus), with some grantmaking activity in Vermont and Nevada.
What size grants does Maine Health Access Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Maine Health Access Foundation Inc awarded 126 grants totaling $5.0M — an average of about $40K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Maine Health Access Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Maine Health Access Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $7.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Maine Health Access Foundation Inc's EIN?
Maine Health Access Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0535144. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Maine Health Access Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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