Maine Health Access Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Augusta, Maine. It supports broader access to health care and efforts to improve health in Maine through grants, information-sharing, dialogue, and collaboration with grantees, partners, and other funders.
Key facts about Maine Health Access Foundation Inc
In short: Maine Health Access Foundation Inc gave $5.0M across 126 grants in 2024 (avg $40K), mostly in Maine. 25% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 01-0535144
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,026,262
- Grants made (2024)
- 126
- Average grant
- $39,891
- Median grant
- $25,060
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (32 of 126, 2024)
- Total assets
- $154,407,890
- Primary geography
- Maine (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
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.
Is Maine Health Access Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 32 of 126 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $46K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 54% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+16%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 103% of 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to pursue broader access to health care and improve health in Maine, guided by the voices and experiences of communities across the state.
Its stated priorities include equitable access to affordable, quality care; insurance coverage and free care; health, mental health, and dental workforce; rural health; health costs; behavioral health and substance use disorder care; oral health; children and maternal health; older adults; health equity; social determinants of health; and shared leadership for equitable health outcomes.
MeHAF supports nonprofits, advocacy groups, health care organizations, and other eligible organizations. Its 2024 grantees illustrate that range: Maine Council on Aging describes its work as addressing issues such as poverty, housing, transportation, food, social connection, and care as people age; Spurwink Services says it provides behavioral health, substance use disorder, and support services; and Maine Initiatives describes its work as cultivating social, economic, and environmental justice through grants and support to grassroots organizations in Maine.
Grantmaking
In 2024, MeHAF reported 126 grants totaling $5,026,262. Awards ranged from $120 to $288,420, with a median grant of $25,060. The largest awards included $288,420 to Maine Council on Aging for purposes including care access, health advocacy, behavioral health needs, and Medicare Savings Program enrollment; $233,000 to Maine Community Foundation for oral health, BIPOC, equity, and substance use disorder funds, leadership investment, and a MeHAF donor-advised fund; and $200,000 to Maine Initiatives for health advocacy and a Nova grant. Other major awards included $150,000 to Spurwink Services and $135,000 to Consumers for Affordable Health Care.
Review Cycle
Deadlines are listed on the foundation’s website; some programs have open funding.
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
Ready to take the next step with Maine Health Access Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
MeHAF primarily funds work in Maine. In 2024, 98% of its grant dollars went to recipients in Maine; the remaining reported shares went to Nevada (1%) and Washington, D.C., Vermont, and Massachusetts (0% each, as rounded in the filing).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 126 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.3M (2021) to $6.1M (2023). In 2024 it made 126 grants totaling $5.0M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Maine Council On Aging ($288K). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
644 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 438 grants of 644 (68%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Council On Aging Brunswick, ME | Care Acess; Hlth Advocacy; BH Needs; MSP Enrollmt; Summit; Ageism | $288,420 |
| Maine Community Foundation Ellsworth, ME | Oral Hlth, BIPOC, Equity, and SUD Funds;Investing in Ldrs;MeHAF DAF | $233,000 |
| Maine Initiatives Portland, ME | Health Advocacy; Nova Grant | $200,000 |
| Spurwink Services Portland, ME | Addiction Collab Pilot; Continuity support for acquisition of TCMHS | $150,000 |
| Consumers for Affordable Health Care Augusta, ME | PHE Unwinding Support; Health Advocacy, MSP Enrollment | $135,000 |
| New England Arab American Organization Portland, ME | Health Equity Capacity;HECB collab grants;Kindred Hearts;MotherComfort | $134,000 |
| Mid-Coast Health Net Inc (dba Knox County Health Clinic) Rockland, ME | Safety Net access to care; Preparing NAP application | $120,000 |
| Maine Equal Justice Augusta, ME | Health Advocacy; Demographic research; MSP Enrollment | $110,000 |
| Cross Cultural Community Services Portland, ME | Oral Health equity; Commty wellness; Health equity for older persons | $102,000 |
| Oasis Free Clinics Brunswick, ME | Safety Net access to care | $100,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $154,407,890 | $15,777,926 | $6,303,403 | $5,026,262 | 126 |
| 2023 | $144,323,858 | $14,634,624 | $8,783,121 | $6,113,536 | 124 |
| 2022 | $121,412,224 | $16,745,134 | $11,360,101 | $5,309,643 | 130 |
| 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 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed Barbara Leonard as President and CEO, with her term ending in December 2024. Toho Soma MPH was Chair; Susan Roche Esq was Vice Chair; and Kevin Lewis was Treasurer. Trustees listed were Tracey Hair, Barbara Crider, Christy Daggett MPP, Richard Evans, Gia Drew, and Elizabeth Bordowitz. Richard Evans and Gia Drew began their terms in April 2024.
Maine Health Access Foundation Inc is led by Barbara Leonard, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 9 of 19 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Barbara Leonard
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$202K (2020) → $238K (2024)
Toho Soma MPH
Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$700 (2023) → $476 (2024)
Barbara Crider
Trustee
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
$476 (2024)
Christy Daggett MPP
Trustee
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
$400 (2023) → $457 (2024)
Tracey Hair
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$200 (2023) → $476 (2024)
Gia Drew
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$357 (2024)
Richard Evans
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
$357 (2024)
Dennis King FACHE
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Grace Odimayo DMD
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Lambke MD
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Abdulkerim Said BASc HRTCA CHW
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ian Yaffe
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Bordowitz
Trustee
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anita Ruff
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ellen Seidman
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Roche Esq.
Vice Chair
Trustee → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$476 (2024)
Kevin Lewis
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
$457 (2024)
Clarissa Sabattis RN
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward Miller MS
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Catherine Ryder LCPC ACS (2020–2023) — Chair
- Former: Bruce Nickerson CPA (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Claudette Ndayininahaze (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Odette Thurston (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Samuela Manages MD FAAFP (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Anthony Marple MBA (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Constance Adler MD FAAFP (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Roy Hitchings Jr FACHE (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Deborah Deatrick MPH (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Nancy Fritz (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Shirley Weaver PhD (2020) — Trustee
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 $238K, to Barbara Leonard (President & CEO (end 12/2024)). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Application contact: Holly Irish Grants Manager
Mailing address: 146 Capitol Street, Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: (207) 620-8266
Email: hirish@mehaf.org
Website: https://www.mehaf.org
Frequently asked questions about Maine Health Access Foundation Inc
How much does Maine Health Access Foundation Inc give each year?
Maine Health Access Foundation Inc gave $5.0M across 126 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $6.1M across 124 grants.
What is Maine Health Access Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Maine Health Access Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $25,060, and its average grant was $39,891, across 126 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Maine Health Access Foundation Inc that year got $22K on average.
Where does Maine Health Access Foundation Inc give grants?
Maine Health Access Foundation Inc gives mostly in Maine: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, ME (35 grants), Augusta, ME (18 grants), Lewiston, ME (12 grants) and Bangor, ME (8 grants).
Does Maine Health Access Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 126 grants with a stated purpose on Maine Health Access Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Health Advocacy Grant" (13 grants), "Designated Charitable Gift" (7 grants) and "Medicare Savings Program Outreach and Enrollment" (5 grants).
Who are Maine Health Access Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Maine Health Access Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Maine Council On Aging ($288,420), Maine Community Foundation ($233,000) and Maine Initiatives ($200,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Maine Health Access Foundation Inc?
Maine Health Access Foundation Inc reported $154.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $7.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Maine Health Access Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to pursue broader access to health care and improve health in Maine, guided by the voices and experiences of communities across the state. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Maine Health Access Foundation Inc?
Maine Health Access Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check mehaf.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
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.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Maine Health Access Foundation Inc by hand.
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