Maine Space Grant Consortium
Maine Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) is an Augusta, Maine-based public charity that is an affiliate of NASA’s National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program and a member of the national network of space grant consortia. It supports Maine’s aerospace-related research and education capacity, STEM learning, and workforce development in areas connected to NASA’s mission and Maine’s space economy.
Key facts about Maine Space Grant Consortium
In short: Maine Space Grant Consortium gave $1.1M across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $62K), mostly in Maine. 33% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 01-0532411
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,122,164
- Grants made (2025)
- 18
- Average grant
- $62,342
- Median grant
- $19,202
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (6 of 18, 2025)
- Total assets
- $421,065
- Primary geography
- Maine (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- For the EPSCoR RID program, submit a proposal under the call for proposals; applicants should consult that call for requirements and use MSGC’s proposal forms and templates unless instructed otherwise. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$421K
-32.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
-14.8% YoY
Grant Count
18
+38.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$62K
-38.5% YoY
Is Maine Space Grant Consortium open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 18 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $85K. How we count
Medians: $14K first-time, $23K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
MSGC’s stated mission is to improve its affiliates’ research infrastructure in areas of mutual interest to NASA and Maine, encourage more students to pursue STEM careers, and enhance NASA’s presence throughout Maine.
Its programs include research seed grants, NASA EPSCoR research and infrastructure-development awards, higher-education curriculum development, travel grants, and support for STEM education. For the FY 2026–2027 Maine/NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development program, MSGC lists collaborative seed research grants of up to $50,000, workshops of up to $5,000, and travel grants of up to $2,500. Eligible applicants are faculty and researchers at Maine higher-education institutions and nonprofit research institutions. The program requires cash and/or in-kind cost share; indirect costs are capped at 10% of the federal request for collaborative seed research grants and are unallowable for workshop and travel grants.
Among the 2025 recipients, the University of Southern Maine Foundation describes its mission as supporting the University’s education, research, and public-service mission. College of the Atlantic describes its mission as operating an accredited four-year college and graduate and summer programs. The University of New England says it prepares students to thrive in a changing world and improve the health of people, communities, and the planet. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, MSGC reported 18 grants totaling $1,122,164. Grant amounts ranged from $5,301 to $437,433, with a median of $19,202. The largest reported awards included:
Review Cycle
of July 13, 2026, and a proposal deadline of **September 28, 2026**. The letter-of-intent deadline has passed; the proposal deadline is September 28, 2026. The program page directs applicants to its call for proposals for guidelines and important dates. MSGC provides proposal templates for items including a letter of intent, proposal cover page, project summary, budget, and biosketch, unless otherwise specified.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Maine Space Grant Consortium
Ready to take the next step with Maine Space Grant Consortium?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
MSGC’s purpose and programs center on Maine. In 2025, 94% of its reported grant dollars went to recipients in Maine; the listed recipients also included organizations in Massachusetts and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $587K (2019) to $1.3M (2024). In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Maine ($437K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
57 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 41 grants of 57 (72%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Maine Orono, ME | Research and Education Grants | $437,433 |
| University of Southern Maine Portland, ME | Research and Education Grants | $200,062 |
| College of the Atlantic Bar Harbor, ME | Research and Education Grants | $143,170 |
| University of New England Biddeford, ME | Research and Education Grants | $75,718 |
| Northeastern University Boston, MA | Research Grant | $49,133 |
| Maine Development Foundation Augusta, ME | Educational and Workforce Development grant | $45,340 |
| Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership Augusta, ME | Rent - 3,840 Workforce development grant - 20,000.24 | $23,840 |
| Educate Maine Portland, ME | Research and Education Grants | $23,720 |
| Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME | Education Grant | $21,404 |
| Robotics Institute of Maine Augusta, ME | Educational grants | $17,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $421,065 | $1,842,879 | $1,840,865 | $1,122,164 across 18 grants |
| 2024 | $620,372 | $2,546,352 | $2,545,194 | $1,317,348 across 13 grants |
| 2023 | $623,670 | $1,823,356 | $1,823,347 | $950,855 across 9 grants |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $421,065 | $620,372 | $623,670 |
| Revenue | $1,842,879 | $2,546,352 | $1,823,356 |
| Expenses | $1,840,865 | $2,545,194 | $1,823,347 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,014 | $1,157 | $8 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 13, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 21, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists the following directors: Pious Ali (term end listed as April 2024), Nikki Becker, Sascha Deri, Dr. Jason Goldstein, Dr. Giovanna Guidoboni, Dr. Jason Judd, Dr. Ruth Kermish-Allen, Dan Koloski, Chris Maher (term start listed as December 2024), and Dr. Jerome Mullin. The filing states that MSGC is overseen by a Board of Directors.
Maine Space Grant Consortium is led by Terry Shehata, Executive Director on every filing since 2019; 2 of 17 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Terry Shehata
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
22 hrs/week
$55K (2019) → $77K (2025)
Jeremy Qualls
Chair
Director → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janet Sorter PhD
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Ziegelaar
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nikki Becker
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sascha Deri
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Koloski
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Giovanna Guidoboni
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Goldstein
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Judd
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerome Mullin
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pious Ali
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Kermish-Allen
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Maher
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jana Hall
Controller & Program Coordinator
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$62K (2019) → $75K (2025)
Scott Burgess
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Roughton
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Luke Shorty (2019–2024) — Treasurer & Secretary
- Former: Shawn Laatsch (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Stephen Swan (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Ashanthi Maxworth (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Asli Sezen-Barrie (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Brian McLaughlin (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Mohamad Musavi (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Dana Humphrey (2019–2023) — Chair
- Former: Karl Hoose (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Joyce Gibson (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Steve DeAngelis (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Annette DeCharon (2019) — 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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $77K, to Dr Terry Shehata (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 87 Winthrop Street 200, Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: (207) 622-4688
Website: https://msgc.org
Frequently asked questions about Maine Space Grant Consortium
How much does Maine Space Grant Consortium give each year?
Maine Space Grant Consortium gave $1.1M across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.3M across 13 grants.
What is Maine Space Grant Consortium's typical grant size?
Maine Space Grant Consortium's median grant in 2025 was $19,202, and its average grant was $62,342, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Maine Space Grant Consortium that year got $18K on average.
Where does Maine Space Grant Consortium give grants?
Maine Space Grant Consortium gives mostly in Maine: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Augusta, ME (4 grants) and Portland, ME (2 grants).
Does Maine Space Grant Consortium give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on Maine Space Grant Consortium's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Research and Education Grants" (5 grants), "Education Grant" (4 grants) and "Educational grants" (4 grants).
Who are Maine Space Grant Consortium's largest grantees?
Maine Space Grant Consortium's largest 2025 grantees include University of Maine ($437,433), University of Southern Maine ($200,062) and College of the Atlantic ($143,170), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Maine Space Grant Consortium?
Maine Space Grant Consortium reported $421K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.8M.
What does Maine Space Grant Consortium fund?
MSGC’s stated mission is to improve its affiliates’ research infrastructure in areas of mutual interest to NASA and Maine, encourage more students to pursue STEM careers, and enhance NASA’s presence throughout Maine. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Maine Space Grant Consortium?
For the EPSCoR RID program, submit a proposal under the call for proposals; applicants should consult that call for requirements and use MSGC’s proposal forms and templates unless instructed otherwise. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Maine Space Grant Consortium's EIN?
Maine Space Grant Consortium's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0532411. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Maine Space Grant Consortium by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Maine Space Grant Consortium's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Maine Community Foundation Inc
Ellsworth, ME
Maine Community Foundation supports Maine communities through grants for community building, arts, education, the environment, economic development, human services, and other areas. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,030 to $2,487,900, with a median of $17,500; the Community Building Grant Program offers awards up to $10,000. Applications are submitted online, and the information does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$807.6M
Grants
1,161
Total Given
$57.6M
Vera Grace Greenlaw Trust
Portland, ME
Assets
$579K
Grants
9
Total Given
$33K
Higgins Mary E Educ Fund
Brooklyn, OH
Assets
$154K
Grants
5
Total Given
$5K
Elmina B Sewall Foundation
Freeport, ME
The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation funds equity and well-being for people, animals, and the environment in Maine, including work on animal welfare, food systems, Wabanaki communities, nature-based education, and rural partnerships. Its 2024 grants ranged from $150 to $580,000, with a median of $30,975. It accepts applications during designated periods; some programs are open to applications, while others are by invitation.
Assets
$164.8M
Grants
296
Total Given
$14.4M
John T Gorman Foundation
Portland, ME
The John T. Gorman Foundation primarily supports strategies that strengthen children and families experiencing poverty, with an application-based program for Maine nonprofits addressing food insecurity and housing or shelter needs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $345,000, with a median of $20,250, and 89% of grant dollars went to Maine recipients. Most grants are invitation-only and unsolicited proposals are generally not funded; the Direct Services Grant Program accepts applications.
Assets
$223.5M
Grants
154
Total Given
$7.5M
Davis Family Foundation
Yarmouth, ME
The Davis Family Foundation funds eligible nonprofits and educational institutions focused on education, health care, and arts and culture, primarily in Southern Maine and elsewhere in Maine; it also considers projects beyond Maine that benefit Maine learners. Its 2024 grants ranged from $6,000 to $400,000, with a median of $20,000. The profile lists application deadlines but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$100.5M
Grants
92
Total Given
$3.2M
Hawkes Scholarship Fund
Brooklyn, OH
The Hawkes Scholarship Fund supports first-year college scholarships, awarding $2,500–$10,000 per grant, typically about $6,250. Recent grants went primarily to recipients in Maine, with others in Indiana, Massachusetts, and New York. Its 2024 filing describes written scholarship requests with educational information; it does not specify whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
10
Total Given
$65K
TD Charitable Foundation
Portland, ME
The foundation funds education, human services, housing and financial stability, nonprofit capacity-building, and community programs, with particular consideration for underserved and low- to moderate-income communities. Its stated award range is $135–$475,000, though the 2025 median grant was $10,000; it focuses primarily on Florida, New Jersey, and New York. It accepts unsolicited requests through online applications from eligible 501(c)(3) public charities in states with a TD Bank, N.A. branch.
Assets
$9.1M
Grants
1,003
Total Given
$24.9M
Simple Generosity Foundation
Cape Elizabeth, ME
Simple Generosity Foundation supports nonprofits across varied missions, with an emphasis on smaller organizations, mainly in the United States. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,002 to $271,548, with a median of $6,287. It does not describe an open unsolicited-request process: nonprofits must join its network and be matched to a client giving program to receive donations.
Assets
$2.8M
Grants
339
Total Given
$4.4M
Onion Foundation
Auburn, ME
The Onion Foundation funds arts and nature-related work, including arts education, public engagement, equitable outdoor access, and nature learning, primarily in Maine. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,000 to $625,000, with a median of $15,000; it accepts unsolicited requests from eligible applicants during open grant cycles.
Assets
$63.6M
Grants
245
Total Given
$4.4M
Maine Technology Institute
Portland, ME
Maine Technology Institute funds innovative products, services, and processes with potential to strengthen Maine’s economy and create jobs, especially in its targeted technology sectors. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,040 to $3 million, with a median of $50,000; first-time Business Innovation Funding grants typically start at $10,000–$30,000. Its programs focus on Maine-based applicants; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$22.5M
Grants
194
Total Given
$22.2M
Franklin Savings Bank Community
Farmington, ME
Franklin Savings Bank Community funds qualifying charities, government organizations, and school scholarships, with emphasis on economic development, affordable housing, support for low-income or underserved people, and job retraining. It primarily serves Western and Central Maine; 2025 grants ranged from $200 to $153,000, with a median of $2,000. It accepts written requests by letter or charitable request form; no definitive deadline is stated.
Assets
$4.0M
Grants
182
Total Given
$705K
More Funders in Maine
Maine Space Grant Consortium down — hundreds of funders to go?