Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust

Private foundation · Grantmaker Portland, ME EIN: 01-6168256

Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in Portland, Maine. It made 13 grants totaling $142,000 in filing year 2025, primarily to organizations in Maine.

Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust at a glance

In short: Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust gave $142K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in Maine. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$142,000
+6.8% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
13
+0.0% vs 2024
Average grant
$10,923
+6.8% vs 2024
Median grant
$9,600
Total assets
$1,202,652
-7.8% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
0% first-time grantees (0 of 13, 2025; small sample)
Primary geography
Maine (91% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. No application process or required materials are specified.

Contact

Mailing address: PO Box 31, Portland, ME 04112-0031
Phone: (207) 772-3761

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Preble Street: $16KPreble Street$16KDempsey Center: $16KDempsey Center$16KAnimal Refuge League of Greater: $16KAnimal Refuge League ofGreater$16KWayfinder Schools: $16KWayfinder Schools$16KMaine Coast Heritage Trust: $11KMaine Coast Heritage Trust$11KHospice of Southern Maine: $10KHospice of Southern Maine$10KMaine Preservation: $10KMaine Preservation$10KRiding to the Top: $10KRiding to the Top$10KWaynflete School: $10KWaynflete School$10KUnited Recovery Fund: $10KUnited Recovery Fund$10K

The largest 2025 recipient was Preble Street ($16K). Together the top 10 received $123K.

Grant Size Distribution

65 grants across all recorded years

65<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 65 grants of 65 (100%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The 2025 filing reports that 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maine, 5% to Vermont, and 5% to Massachusetts. Listed Maine recipients include organizations in Portland, Auburn, Westbrook, New Gloucester, Topsham, Scarborough, Yarmouth, Windham, and other communities.

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.

Cities

PortlandAuburnMiddleburyNew GloucesterScarboroughTopshamWestbrookWindhamYarmouthBostonNorth Hampton

Is Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust open to new grantees?

0%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 0 of 13 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. How we count

  • 100% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+13%). Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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

$0$50K$100K$150K13 grants2020 13 grants2021 13 grants2022 13 grants2023 13 grants2024 13 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $99K (2020) to $142K (2025). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $142K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Preble Street Portland, MEGeneral Purpose$16,000
Dempsey Center Auburn, MEGeneral Purpose$16,000
Animal Refuge League of Greater Westbrook, MEGeneral$16,000
Wayfinder Schools New Gloucester, MEEducation$16,000
Maine Coast Heritage Trust Topsham, MEGeneral Purpose$10,500
Hospice of Southern Maine Scarborough, MEGeneral Purpose$9,600
Maine Preservation Yarmouth, MEGeneral Purpose$9,600
Riding to the Top Windham, MEGeneral Purpose$9,600
Waynflete School Portland, MEGeneral Purpose$9,600
United Recovery Fund Portland, MEGeneral Purpose$9,600
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$1,202,652$75,257$175,907$142,00013$154,271$57,518$156,714
2024$1,303,721$201,419$163,086$133,00013$139,929$179,971$141,038
2023$1,265,466$98,422$151,981$126,00013$135,986$79,474$121,120
2022$1,310,794$55,175$156,353$126,00013$132,577$36,216$124,004
2021$1,412,533$167,031$155,399$126,00013$129,060$142,433$136,402
2020$1,400,883$93,058$122,898$99,00013—$80,683$108,522

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $157K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas that include housing and poverty, education, land conservation, hospice care, historic preservation, and equine-assisted services. For example, Preble Street says it provides services and advocates for solutions related to homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty. Maine Coast Heritage Trust says it advances land and water conservation in Maine, while Hospice of Southern Maine describes its work as providing end-of-life care and comfort.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 13 grants totaling $142,000. Grants ranged from $6,500 to $16,000, with a median of $9,600. Notable grants included $16,000 each to Preble Street, Dempsey Center, Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, and Wayfinder Schools; $10,500 to Maine Coast Heritage Trust; and $9,600 each to Hospice of Southern Maine, Maine Preservation, Riding to the Top, Waynflete School, and United Recovery Fund.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists HM PAYSON CO as trustee.

Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust is led by Hm Payson Co, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Hm Payson Co

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $18K (2020) → $22K (2025)

Former officers (1)
  • Former: Verrill Dana (2020–2024) — Trustee

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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

HM Payson CO — Trustee: $22KHM Payson COTrustee$22K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $22K, to HM Payson CO (Trustee).

Frequently asked questions about Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust

How much does Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust give each year?

Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust gave $142K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $133K across 13 grants.

What is Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust's typical grant size?

Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust's median grant in 2025 was $9,600, and its average grant was $10,923, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust give grants?

Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust gives mostly in Maine: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, ME (4 grants).

Does Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust give general operating support?

Yes: 85% of Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 13) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust's largest grantees?

Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust's largest 2025 grantees include Preble Street ($16,000), Dempsey Center ($16,000) and Animal Refuge League of Greater ($16,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust?

Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $154K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $157K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.

What does Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas that include housing and poverty, education, land conservation, hospice care, historic preservation, and equine-assisted services. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust?

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust's EIN?

Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-6168256. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Does Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(6)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 3, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 1, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
  6. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 7, 2026)

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust'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 nonprofits and communities in Maine through grants for areas such as community building, arts, land and water, housing, and equity, as well as scholarships. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of $17,500, though awards varied widely. The profile describes online applications for competitive grants but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$807.6M

Grants

1,161

Total Given

$57.6M

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 William J J Gordon Family Foundation

New York, NY

The William J J Gordon Family Foundation supports varied charitable organizations, including those focused on global health, youth, immigrant legal services, animal rescue, and homelessness, with much of its 2024 giving going to Maine, Texas, and New York. Its 2024 grants ranged from $336 to $30,000, with a median of $2,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$5.8M

Grants

124

Total Given

$455K

Fisher Charitable Foundation

Portland, ME

The foundation supports 501(c)(3) charitable organizations and projects that address community needs or improve quality of life, generally in Maine. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $25,000, with a median of $5,000. It accepts mailed applications on set quarterly deadlines; electronic submissions are not accepted.

Assets

$2.5M

Grants

107

Total Given

$546K

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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$100.5M

Grants

92

Total Given

$3.2M

Bangor Savings Bank Foundation

Bangor, ME

The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation supports arts and culture, economic and workforce development, education, health and wellness, and social and community services, including affordable housing and health care. It focuses on Maine, New Hampshire, and Essex County, Massachusetts; 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $50,000, with a median of $4,750. It accepts applications through an online portal, with applications reviewed twice a year.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$7.0M

Grants

156

Total Given

$1.2M

More similar funders

More Funders in Maine

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/margaret-w-soule-charitable-trust-morg_dff0bf14020d48b48ab71acb8e8ab17f

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_016168256_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/margaret-w-soule-charitable-trust-morg_dff0bf14020d48b48ab71acb8e8ab17f},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust'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.

Margaret W Soule Charitable Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?