Narragansett Number One Foundation
Narragansett Number One Foundation is a private foundation based in Bar Mills, Maine. It supports charitable, educational, and scientific endeavors, with a stated priority for public charities in Buxton and surrounding areas.
Narragansett Number One Foundation at a glance
In short: Narragansett Number One Foundation gave $385K across 49 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), mostly in Maine. 35% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $385,453
- -6.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 49
- +6.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $7,866
- -12.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $7,220
- Total assets
- $5,265,907
- -2.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (17 of 49, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Maine (95% 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 Narragansett Number One Foundation
- How to Apply
-
A written application is required. The foundation says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its grant program accepts applications from qualified organizations; eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities applying for public purposes. The foundation makes the majority of its grants to public charities in Buxton, Maine, and surrounding areas.
- Review Cycle
- Applications are due between November 1 and April 1 each year.
- Deadline
- Applications are due between November 1 and April 1 each year.
- Contact
Application contact: Patricia Wales
Mailing address: PO Box 779, Bar Mills, ME 04004
Phone: (207) 929-8111
Website: https://www.nnof.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Narragansett Number One Foundation
Who Narragansett Number One Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Town of Buxton ($37K). Together the top 10 received $149K.
Grant Size Distribution
247 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 247 grants of 247 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that the majority of its grants go to public charities in Buxton and surrounding areas. In 2025, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maine, 3% to Massachusetts, and 3% to New Hampshire.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 49 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Narragansett Number One Foundation open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 17 of 49 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $8K repeat.
- 39% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+14%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 97% 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 (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $338K (2022) to $439K (2021). In 2025 it made 49 grants totaling $385K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Town of Buxton Buxton, ME | Provide Funds for Summer Reading Pro | $36,841 |
| Welcome to Housing Home Goods Bank Bangor, ME | Contribute to General Operating Supp | $20,000 |
| Caring Unlimited Corp Sanford, ME | Provide General Operating Support to | $15,000 |
| Peace Ridge Farm Brooks, ME | Provide General Operating Expenses | $15,000 |
| The First Baptist Church in Westbro Westbrook, ME | Fund Program That Provides Free Meal | $12,000 |
| Boston Firefighters Burn Foundation Dorchester, MA | Provide Funds for Program That Suppo | $10,000 |
| Buxton Hollis Historical Society Hollis, ME | Fund the Abatement of Lead Paint Fro | $10,000 |
| Elder Abuse Institute of Maine Brunswick, ME | Provide Funds for Elder Abuse and Aw | $10,000 |
| Friends of Baxter State Park Belfast, ME | Support Youth Development in Nature | $10,000 |
| Hospice Help Foundation Portsmouth, NH | Fund Program to Supports Low Income | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Narragansett Number One 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 | $5,265,907 | $281,594 | $438,675 | $385,453 | 49 | $389,692 | $237,507 | $400,468 |
| 2024 | $5,422,988 | $443,047 | $463,490 | $411,755 | 46 | $416,012 | $400,836 | $375,195 |
| 2023 | $5,443,431 | $491,235 | $424,428 | $377,546 | 53 | $381,590 | $450,879 | $357,382 |
| 2022 | $5,376,624 | $566,011 | $402,306 | $338,079 | 49 | $341,665 | $520,989 | $397,450 |
| 2021 | $5,212,919 | $906,174 | $496,191 | $439,270 | 50 | — | $864,661 | $371,721 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Narragansett Number One Foundation reported a distributable amount of $400K 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
The foundation’s stated purposes include religious, charitable, scientific, literary, and educational activities; fostering national or international amateur sports competition; and preventing cruelty to children or animals.
Its 2025 grants included support for organizations serving a range of needs. For example, Youth Full Maine says it helps schools access food-program support, while Preble Street describes its work as providing services and advocating for solutions related to homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty. Friends of Baxter State Park says it promotes stewardship and the park’s wild character, and the Elder Abuse Institute of Maine says it works to prevent elder abuse through training, collaboration, outreach, and advocacy.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation awarded 49 grants totaling $385,453. Grants ranged from $1,500 to $36,841, with a median of $7,220. Recent recipients included the Town of Buxton ($36,841, for a summer reading program), Welcome to Housing Home Goods Bank ($20,000, for general operating support), Caring Unlimited Corp ($15,000, for general operating support), and Peace Ridge Farm ($15,000, for general operating expenses). Other 2025 recipients included Hospice Help Foundation ($10,000), Preble Street ($10,000), and Youth Full Maine ($10,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Patricia M Wales as president and Angela H Desruisseaux as secretary/treasurer. Directors listed are David Desruisseaux, Pamela H Haines, Thomas Charles Holding, Eric P Wales, Wendy York Wales, Reid Desruisseaux, Libby Anne Desruisseaux, and Elizabeth Wales.
Narragansett Number One Foundation is led by Patricia M. Wales, President & D on every filing since 2021; none of the 10 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Patricia M. Wales
President & D
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
David Desruisseaux
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Eric P. Wales
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Libby Anne Desruisseaux
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Pamela H. Haines
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Reid Desruisseaux
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Thomas Charles Holding
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Wendy York Wales
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Wales
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Angela H. Desruisseaux
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 Narragansett Number One Foundation
How much does Narragansett Number One Foundation give each year?
Narragansett Number One Foundation gave $385K across 49 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $412K across 46 grants.
What is Narragansett Number One Foundation's typical grant size?
Narragansett Number One Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $7,220, and its average grant was $7,866, across 49 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Narragansett Number One Foundation that year got $7K on average.
Where does Narragansett Number One Foundation give grants?
Narragansett Number One Foundation gives mostly in Maine: 95% 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), Biddeford, ME (3 grants), Buxton, ME (2 grants) and Bangor, ME (2 grants).
Does Narragansett Number One Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 27% of Narragansett Number One Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (13 of 49) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Narragansett Number One Foundation's largest grantees?
Narragansett Number One Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Town of Buxton ($36,841), Welcome to Housing Home Goods Bank ($20,000) and Caring Unlimited Corp ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Narragansett Number One Foundation?
Narragansett Number One Foundation reported $5.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $390K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $400K (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 Narragansett Number One Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purposes include religious, charitable, scientific, literary, and educational activities; fostering national or international amateur sports competition; and preventing cruelty to children or animals. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Narragansett Number One Foundation?
A written application is required. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Narragansett Number One Foundation's EIN?
Narragansett Number One Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0546133. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Narragansett Number One 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
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.
Assets
$7.0M
Grants
156
Total Given
$1.2M
Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson
Portland, ME
The foundation supports Maine-serving nonprofits and government agencies with charitable, educational, health, community, and self-sufficiency projects, especially innovative efforts and seed funding for underserved populations. Recent grants ranged from $500 to $10,000, with a median of $2,500. It accepts requests from eligible organizations; the profile states no deadlines in its 2024 filing, though its website lists meeting dates.
Assets
$3.6M
Grants
68
Total Given
$180K
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
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
John T Gorman Foundation
Portland, ME
The John T. Gorman Foundation funds nonprofits and government-affiliated entities working to improve child and family well-being and meet essential needs, especially for people experiencing poverty in Maine. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $345,000, with a median award of $20,250. It generally does not accept unsolicited proposals; most foundation-initiated grants are by invitation, though organizations may contact the Foundation with an aligned idea.
Assets
$223.5M
Grants
154
Total Given
$7.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in Maine
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Narragansett Number One Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/narragansett-number-one-foundation-morg_54427c6e5d9a4e87869ee7f93215b735
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_010546133_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Narragansett Number One Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/narragansett-number-one-foundation-morg_54427c6e5d9a4e87869ee7f93215b735},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Narragansett Number One 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.
Narragansett Number One Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?