Messler Family Foundation
Messler Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Brooklyn, New York. It made 26 grants totaling $160,250 in 2025, supporting charitable organizations in Maine, New York, Virginia, California, and South Carolina.
Messler Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Messler Family Foundation gave $160K across 26 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in Maine. 12% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $160,250
- -1.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 26
- -7.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,163
- +5.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $1,936,293
- -0.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (3 of 26, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Maine (55% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Messler Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 427 4Th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Phone: (207) 773-2000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Messler Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Maine Coast Heritage Trust ($16K). Together the top 10 received $96K.
Grant Size Distribution
148 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 148 grants of 148 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, Maine organizations received 55% of grant dollars, followed by organizations in New York (20%), Virginia (12%), California (6%), and South Carolina (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Messler Family Foundation open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 26 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 85% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 23% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 117% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $160K (2025) to $220K (2021). In 2025 it made 26 grants totaling $160K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Coast Heritage Trust Topsham, ME | Unrestricted | $16,250 |
| Gamble House Pasadena, CA | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Historic Charleston Foundation Charleston, SC | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Homeworthy Rockport, ME | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Midcoast Habitat for Humanity Rockport, ME | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Penobscot Bay YMCA Rockport, ME | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Wingspan Warrenton, VA | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Park Slope Childcare Collective Brooklyn, NY | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Bigelow Laboratories East Boothbay, ME | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Center for Furniture Craftsmanship Rockport, ME | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Messler Family 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,936,293 | $177,126 | $184,807 | $160,250 | 26 | $160,250 | $148,898 | $137,489 |
| 2024 | $1,943,974 | $230,809 | $181,610 | $163,000 | 28 | $163,000 | $212,199 | $130,988 |
| 2023 | $1,894,775 | $212,320 | $207,418 | $180,000 | 30 | $180,000 | $184,902 | $129,240 |
| 2022 | $1,889,873 | $365,059 | $236,640 | $208,750 | 30 | $208,750 | $337,169 | $147,501 |
| 2021 | $1,761,454 | $216,933 | $245,299 | $220,000 | 34 | — | $191,634 | $144,532 |
| 2020 | $1,789,820 | $173,049 | $228,694 | $205,000 | 35 | — | $149,355 | $134,507 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Messler Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $137K 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 grantees’ stated missions show support for organizations working in areas including land and water conservation, housing, historic preservation, community health and youth development, services for survivors of gender violence, farmland protection, craft education, and youth mentoring. For example, Maine Coast Heritage Trust says it advances conservation of Maine’s lands and waters, while Midcoast Habitat for Humanity says it works to address poverty housing in Knox County, Maine. These are the grantees’ missions, not stated focus areas of the foundation.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 26 grants totaling $160,250. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $16,250, with a median of $5,000. The largest grant was $16,250 to Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Other notable grants included $10,000 each to Gamble House, Historic Charleston Foundation, Homeworthy, Midcoast Habitat for Humanity, Penobscot Bay YMCA, Wingspan, and Park Slope Childcare Collective. The listed largest grants were designated unrestricted.
Other 2025 recipients included Sanctuary for Families ($5,000), Maine Farmland Trust ($5,000), Center for Furniture Craftsmanship ($5,000), and Trekkers ($5,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joseph D Messler Jr as President, Timothy P Messler as Vice President, and Tara M Marchionna as Secretary.
Messler Family Foundation is led by Joseph D Messler Jr., President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joseph D Messler Jr.
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tara M Marchionna
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Timothy P Messler
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Messler Family Foundation
How much does Messler Family Foundation give each year?
Messler Family Foundation gave $160K across 26 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $163K across 28 grants.
What is Messler Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Messler Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $6,163, across 26 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Messler Family Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does Messler Family Foundation give grants?
Messler Family Foundation gives mostly in Maine: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (20%) and Virginia (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Rockport, ME (5 grants), New York, NY (5 grants), Brooklyn, NY (2 grants) and Camden, ME (2 grants).
Does Messler Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Messler Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (26 of 26) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Messler Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Messler Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Maine Coast Heritage Trust ($16,250), Gamble House ($10,000) and Historic Charleston Foundation ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Messler Family Foundation?
Messler Family Foundation reported $1.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $160K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $137K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Messler Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Messler Family Foundation?
The foundation 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 Messler Family Foundation's EIN?
Messler Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3371941. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Messler Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 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
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 5, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 5, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Messler Family Foundation'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.
Assets
$807.6M
Grants
1,161
Total Given
$57.6M
Onion Foundation
Auburn, ME
Onion Foundation funds Maine nonprofits working in the arts and environment, including nature learning, with particular attention to rural and underserved communities. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $625,000, with a median of $15,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through its online grant portal.
Assets
$63.6M
Grants
245
Total Given
$4.4M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Ann H Symington Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Ann H Symington Foundation funds a range of charitable work, including human services, children’s welfare, arts and culture, and ocean science, with most 2026 grant dollars going to organizations in Maine, followed by Arizona and Florida. Its grants ranged from $500 to $85,000, with a median of $10,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$9.0M
Grants
26
Total Given
$338K
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The Widgeon Point Charitable Foundation
New York, NY
The Widgeon Point Charitable Foundation supports a wide range of U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits, with grants spanning community services, arts, food access, and other activities; most of its 2025 grant dollars went to Maine. In 2025, grants ranged from $500 to $86,000, with a median of $1,500. It does not accept unsolicited requests, considering applications only from recent grantees or organizations expressly invited by a Grant Committee member.
Assets
$56.1M
Grants
58
Total Given
$251K
More similar funders
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Messler Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/messler-family-foundation-morg_81188f52cc4142dc89ea0a0ed9a8fe9f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_043371941_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Messler Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/messler-family-foundation-morg_81188f52cc4142dc89ea0a0ed9a8fe9f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Messler Family 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.
Messler Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?