Maine Initiatives is a public foundation and community of more than 2,000 individual donors and activists based in Portland, Maine. The organization advances social, economic, and environmental justice through participatory grantmaking, community organizing, and support for grassroots leaders across Maine. As a public foundation, Maine Initiatives pools donations from many supporters to make grants to nonprofit organizations working on justice issues from the grassroots level.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.2M
+0.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
+3.8% YoY
Grant Count
61
+45.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$27K
-28.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Maine Initiatives describes itself as "a community of individuals engaging and expressing their progressive values with intention, with information, and with each other." The organization advances social, economic, and environmental justice through informed, intentional, and collective philanthropy.
Primary Program Areas:
Grantmaking and Community Engagement: Provides grants to Maine-based organizations promoting social, economic, and environmental justice, along with technical assistance and visibility for grantees and their work.
Maine Youth Justice: Fiscal sponsorship and investment in community-based supports responding to young people's needs, led by young people who have been incarcerated in the juvenile justice system.
The Maine Share Program: A workplace giving initiative connecting donors to over 40 statewide organizations working on health, environmental protection, safe communities, economic opportunity, human rights, animal welfare, and peace.
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Maine Initiatives primarily funds organizations in Maine, with some activity in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $5,176,132
- Total Revenues: $1,962,279
- Total Expenses: $3,893,392
- Total Giving: $1,682,536
Staffing: 19 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,176,132 | $5,149,067 | $4,414,537 |
| Revenue | $1,962,279 | $3,513,921 | $2,709,270 |
| Expenses | $3,893,392 | $3,593,377 | $2,902,420 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $70,830 | $67,049 | $45,353 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
217 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Maine Initiativesinc
Grants for Change
MAINE INITIATIVESINC
Amount
$15,000 per year ($45,000 over three years)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Immigrant-Led Organizations (ILO) Fund Grant
MAINE INITIATIVESINC
Amount
US $45,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Immigrant-Led Organizations Fund
MAINE INITIATIVESINC
Amount
$15,000 per year ($45,000 over three years)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Presente Maine ($124,500), Maine Community Integration ($105,000), Khmer Maine ($85,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACTION FOR LIFE PORTLAND, ME | ASYLUM SEEKER SUPPOR | $10,000 |
| AFGHAN COMMUNITY OF MAINE WESTBROOK, ME | TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE | $10,000 |
| ALPHA LEGAL PORTLAND, ME | GENERAL SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| ATLANTIC BLACK BOX PORTLAND, ME | DISCRETIONARY | $10,375 |
| BRUNSWICK TOPSHAM LAND TRUST BRUNSWICK, ME | GENERAL SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| CAPITAL AREA NEW MAINERS PROJECT AUGUSTA, ME | IMMIGRANT LEAD ORG. | $55,000 |
| CUMBERLAND COUNTY FOOD SECURITY PORTLAND, ME | GRANTS FOR CHANGE | $10,000 |
| EQUALITY MAINE FOUNDATION PORTLAND, ME | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,205 |
| FOOD FOR ALL SERVICES PORTLAND, ME | GENERAL SUPPORT | $45,000 |
| FURNITURE FRIENDS WESTBROOK, ME | IMMIGRANT FUND | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHILIP WALSH | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $129,436 |
| JENNIFER CEIDE | TRUSTEE | 1.6 | — |
| ANDREA FRANCIS | VICE PRESIDE | 2 | — |
| JAKE GRINDLE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| LESLIE HILL | TRUSTEE | 1.8 | — |
| CARLA HUNT | SECRETARY | 1.4 | — |
| LAURESS LAWRENCE | PRESIDENT | 1.7 | — |
| KAEL PARKER | TRUSTEE | 0.92 | — |
| DAVID PATRICK | TRUSTEE | 0.8 | — |
| VICTORIA RODRIGUEZ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| GREG SAMPLE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ELLEN SEIDMAN | TREASURER | 1.2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Maine Initiatives has been active in announcing grant cohorts and funding opportunities, including:
Rural Youth Institute Awards Three Maine Organizations with 2026 Grant Funding\2024 grantee cohort for Maine's Outdoor Equity Fund
2023 Grants for Change cohort announcement
Grant opportunities supporting local publishers through the Maine Independent News Collaborative
Rural Youth Institute Awards Three Maine Organizations with 2026 Grant Funding\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Maine Initiativesinc fund?
Maine Initiatives describes itself as "a community of individuals engaging and expressing their progressive values with intention, with information, and with each other." The organization advances social, economic, and environmental justice through informed, intentional, and collective philanthropy. **Primary Program Areas:** • **Grantmaking and Community Engagement:** Provides grants to Maine-based organizations promoting social, economic, and environmental justice, along with technical assist…
How do I apply for a grant from Maine Initiativesinc?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $5,007 to $209,600. **Active Grant Opportunities:** • Giving Project Fund for Community Organizing • Immigrant-Led Organizations (ILO) Fund Grant **Recent Grant Cohorts:** • Maine Initiatives announced its 2023 Grants for Change cohort • Maine's Outdoor Equity Fund announced its 2024 grantee cohort **Total Giving:** $1,682,536 (based on most recent IRS 990 filing)
Where does Maine Initiativesinc make grants?
Maine Initiatives primarily funds organizations in Maine, with some activity in New York.
What size grants does Maine Initiativesinc award?
In 2024, Maine Initiativesinc awarded 61 grants totaling $1.6M — an average of about $27K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Maine Initiativesinc's EIN?
Maine Initiativesinc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0484310. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Maine Initiativesinc'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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