Melmac Education Foundation
MELMAC Education Foundation is a private foundation based in Augusta, Maine. Established in 2001, it supports educational opportunities for Maine people, with a mission to prepare Maine’s youth to be ready for and successful in college and career.
Melmac Education Foundation at a glance
In short: Melmac Education Foundation gave $1.4M across 180 grants in 2024 (avg $8K), mostly in Maine. 17% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,438,915
- -14.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 180
- -8.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,994
- -5.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $38,692,129
- -14.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (20 of 117, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Maine (96% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Melmac Education Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 188 Whitten Rd, Augusta, ME 04330-0807
Phone: (207) 622-3066
Website: https://melmacfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Melmac Education Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Gen US ($659K across 7 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 48 individual scholarships ($96,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,045 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,010 grants of 1,045 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maine and 4% to recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 180 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Melmac Education Foundation open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 20 of 117 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $37K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 70% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−17%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 92% 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 (2020–2024). 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2024) to $2.2M (2022). In 2024 it made 180 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gen US Augusta, ME | Aspire Grant | $219,873 |
| Gen US Augusta, ME | Aspire Grant | $189,760 |
| Jobs for Maine's Graduates Augusta, ME | College Success Program | $150,000 |
| Gen US Augusta, ME | Aspire Grant | $76,879 |
| Jobs for Maine's Graduates Augusta, ME | JMG/Melmac Partnership | $58,000 |
| College Board New York, NY | Psat Grant | $57,326 |
| Gen US Augusta, ME | Aspire Grant | $54,884 |
| Gen US Augusta, ME | Aspire Grant | $52,493 |
| Educate Maine Portland, ME | Maine Spark | $50,000 |
| Gen US Augusta, ME | Aspire Grant | $41,090 |
Ready to take the next step with Melmac Education Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $38,692,129 | $1,846,785 | $2,188,283 | $1,438,915 | 180 | $2,106,438 | $1,653,825 | $2,287,029 |
| 2023 | $44,977,183 | $2,302,158 | $2,780,001 | $1,673,189 | 197 | $2,319,124 | $2,114,177 | $2,108,782 |
| 2022 | $41,248,524 | $2,293,540 | $2,999,998 | $2,229,167 | 270 | $2,719,095 | $2,104,919 | $2,226,836 |
| 2021 | $52,278,105 | $8,545,235 | $2,545,180 | $1,729,681 | 185 | $2,258,726 | $8,367,909 | $2,426,899 |
| 2020 | $49,127,969 | $2,476,086 | $2,508,036 | $1,757,217 | 213 | — | $2,288,110 | $2,176,031 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Melmac Education Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to prepare Maine’s youth to be ready for and successful in college and career. Its current initiatives fund work to help middle school, high school, and career and technical education (CTE) students prepare for college and careers; help students succeed in post-secondary degree programs; and bring education, community organization, and employer partners together to support post-secondary success.
The foundation’s 2024 filing describes grants to schools, CTEs, and nonprofit organizations. Its community-wide ASPIRE grants are intended to encourage school districts to develop pre-K–16 college and career access programs, including exposure to local businesses through job shadows and internships.
The foundation also describes two $2,000 scholarships: the Tyler/Grandmaison Scholarship for one student from every Maine high school, and the MELMAC CTE Scholarship for one student from every Maine CTE. These are credited toward later semesters of post-secondary study and are intended to reward persistence.
Among the organizations receiving grants in 2024, Jobs for Maine’s Graduates says its mission is to guide students who face barriers to education toward continued education, meaningful careers, and productive adulthood. An individual recipient says it champions college and career readiness and seeks to increase the educational attainment of Maine’s workforce. An individual recipient Community College Foundation says it supports educational activities at the college.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 180 grants totaling $1,438,915. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $219,873, with a median of $2,000. Large awards included $219,873 and $189,760 to GEN US for ASPIRE grants; $150,000 to Jobs for Maine’s Graduates for its College Success Program; and $57,326 to College Board for a PSAT grant. Other notable awards included $58,000 to Jobs for Maine’s Graduates for the JMG/MELMAC Partnership, $50,000 to an individual recipient for Maine Spark, and $24,960 to an individual recipient Community College for a PPSS grant.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Wendy Ault as executive director; Peggy Crawford as chairperson; Scott MacDonald as vice-chairperson; Ron Milliken as secretary; Janelle MacDermott as treasurer; and David Perkins as director.
Melmac Education Foundation is led by Wendy Ault, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 6 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Wendy Ault
Executive Director
Executive Di → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$130K (2020) → $152K (2024)
Peggy Crawford
Chairperson
Vice Chairperson → Chairperson, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Perkins
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janelle Macdermott
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ron Milliken
Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Macdonald
Vice Chairperson
Chairperson → Vice Chairperson, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 $152K, to Wendy Ault (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Melmac Education Foundation
How much does Melmac Education Foundation give each year?
Melmac Education Foundation gave $1.4M across 180 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.7M across 197 grants.
What is Melmac Education Foundation's typical grant size?
Melmac Education Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,000, and its average grant was $7,994, across 180 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Melmac Education Foundation that year got $37K on average.
Where does Melmac Education Foundation give grants?
Melmac Education Foundation gives mostly in Maine: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Augusta, ME (12 grants), Portland, ME (5 grants), Biddeford, ME (3 grants) and Ellsworth, ME (3 grants).
Does Melmac Education Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 180 grants with a stated purpose on Melmac Education Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "TGMS Scholarship" (121 grants), "CTE Scholarship" (29 grants) and "BRCC Grant" (15 grants).
Who are Melmac Education Foundation's largest grantees?
Melmac Education Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Gen US ($658,648 across 7 grants), Jobs for Maine's Graduates ($208,000 across 2 grants) and Educate Maine ($60,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 48 individual scholarships ($96,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 64% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Melmac Education Foundation?
Melmac Education Foundation reported $38.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.3M (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 Melmac Education Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to prepare Maine’s youth to be ready for and successful in college and career. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Melmac Education Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Melmac Education Foundation's EIN?
Melmac Education Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0390854. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Melmac Education Foundation 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Melmac Education Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Davis Educational Foundation
Yarmouth, ME
The Davis Educational Foundation supports undergraduate teaching, learning, affordability, and cost-containment projects at eligible regionally accredited bachelor’s-degree institutions in New England, including consortia. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $322,148, with a median of about $150,000; it also offers Presidential Grants of up to $25,000. Institutions apply online, and the foundation encourages contacting staff before preparing a proposal; no letter of inquiry is required.
Assets
$130.3M
Grants
22
Total Given
$3.4M
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.
Assets
$100.5M
Grants
92
Total Given
$3.2M
Frederic E Skillings Trust Uw
Brooklyn, OH
Assets
$395K
Grants
17
Total Given
$25K
William Searls Scholarship Fund
Damariscotta, ME
The William Searls Scholarship Fund supports scholarships to educational institutions, with recent grants typically ranging from $1,125 to $1,200. Based in Damariscotta, Maine, it gives mainly in Maine, with grants also reported in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Florida; applications are made through an area school.
Assets
$456K
Grants
17
Total Given
$20K
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Harold Alfond Foundation
Portland, ME
The Harold Alfond Foundation funds large-scale projects in education, health care, and youth and community development, primarily benefiting Maine; most of its 2024 grant dollars went to Maine, with some going to Massachusetts. In 2024, grants ranged from $150 to $28 million, with a median of $250,000. It is not accepting new grant applications at this time and asks prospective applicants to check back in late 2027.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
45
Total Given
$102.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Maine
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Melmac Education Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/melmac-education-foundation-morg_454069edad344af7af5c3bb6147d04be
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_010390854_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Melmac Education Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/melmac-education-foundation-morg_454069edad344af7af5c3bb6147d04be},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Melmac Education Foundation'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.
Melmac Education Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?