Protein Foundation
Protein Foundation is a private foundation based in Yarmouth, Maine, that supports Gospel-centered ministries addressing both spiritual formation and practical needs. Its website describes an approach centered on trust, relationships, and strengthening ministry leaders serving their communities.
Protein Foundation at a glance
In short: Protein Foundation gave $1.4M across 43 grants in 2025 (avg $32K), top state Maine. 12% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,375,000
- +32.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 43
- +30.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $31,977
- +1.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $1,309,299
- -14.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (5 of 43, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Maine (27% 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 Protein Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It invites selected organizations to submit an application after due diligence.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1319, Portland, ME 04104
Phone: (203) 637-4066
Website: https://proteinfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Protein Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Straight Ahead Ministries ($65K). Together the top 10 received $505K.
Grant Size Distribution
229 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 197 grants of 229 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation says it primarily supports ministries in the Northeast U.S., Michigan, and Bridgeport, Connecticut. In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Maine (27%), Massachusetts (21%), New Hampshire (20%), Connecticut (16%), and Vermont (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Protein Foundation open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 43 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $33K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 67% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+7%). 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 $574K (2020) to $1.7M (2021). In 2025 it made 43 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Ahead Ministries Worchester, MA | Ministry to juvenile offenders | $65,000 |
| Root Cellar Lewiston, ME | Food distribution and youth mentoring | $60,000 |
| Paul Carlson Partnership Chicago, IL | Medical and economic assistance to people in poverty | $60,000 |
| Square Up for Others Bridgeport, CT | Food and Shelter for homeless | $50,000 |
| Fellowship of Christian Schools New Canaan, CT | Christian youth program in schools | $50,000 |
| His Mansion Deering, NH | Rehab for tramatized Children | $50,000 |
| Beauty from Ashes Ministry Nashua, NH | Ministry to women affected by sexual exploitation and addiction experiences. | $50,000 |
| Elevate New England Lowell, MA | Tutor and mentor youth in low income areas | $40,000 |
| Bethany Birches Plymouth, VT | Christian program in camp environment | $40,000 |
| City Ministries Charlotte, NC | Ministering to human needs of orphans street kids widows abused women blind deaf etc etc. while bringing the Christian faith through discipleship programs and teaching the Bible primarily in Nigeria. | $40,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Protein Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,309,299 | $1,367,291 | $1,584,431 | $1,375,000 | 43 | $1,584,431 |
| 2024 | $1,526,439 | $1,406,982 | $1,214,054 | $1,042,000 | 33 | $1,214,054 |
| 2023 | $1,333,511 | $2,146,380 | $1,455,221 | $1,254,000 | 43 | $1,455,221 |
| 2022 | $642,352 | — | $1,458,015 | $1,282,500 | 62 | $1,458,015 |
| 2021 | $2,100,367 | $3,966,280 | $1,886,276 | $1,697,500 | 48 | $1,886,276 |
| 2020 | $20,363 | $653,994 | $739,221 | $574,000 | 34 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is “to glorify God by following Him as He leads us in the acquisition, operation, and disposition of businesses for the purpose of providing funds to ministries which feed people spiritually with a special emphasis on those that also feed physically and by teaching the word of God as witnesses for Jesus Christ.”
It says it looks for ministries rooted in Christ-centered discipleship that combine spiritual and practical care, build trust through locally grounded work, and are led with humility. Its website says most grants support general operating budgets, though it occasionally funds specific projects.
Examples of grantees’ own stated missions illustrate the range of supported work. Straight Ahead Ministries says it works to reduce recidivism among young offenders through faith-based programs and mentoring. Hagar’s Sisters says it provides crisis support and emotional and spiritual healing for women affected by intimate partner abuse. Chop Point says it operates a youth camp and Christian school. Somebody Cares New England says it works to alleviate hunger and homelessness and advocate for children, youth, and older adults.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the Foundation reported 43 grants totaling $1,375,000. Awards ranged from $10,000 to $65,000, with a median of $30,000. Its largest reported grants included $65,000 to Straight Ahead Ministries for ministry to juvenile offenders; $60,000 each to Root Cellar for food distribution and youth mentoring and to Paul Carlson Partnership for medical and economic assistance to people in poverty; and $50,000 each to Square Up for Others for food and shelter for people experiencing homelessness and Fellowship of Christian Schools for a Christian youth program in schools.
The Foundation describes grantmaking as relationship-based. It says the process begins with conversation, and its 2024 filing describes identifying prospective grantees through site visits and interviews, checking tax-exempt status and mission alignment, and inviting selected organizations to apply after due diligence. It also describes reviewing applications through a board-directed approval process and carrying out post-grant expenditure-responsibility reviews. The Foundation says grants are one-year commitments, while partnerships may continue for years.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Foundation’s website identifies Matthew Owen as Executive Director and says he has served as its Managing Director since 2012. Its 2025 filing lists Stephan Lanfer, Roger Clement, Whit Gallagher, Frank Starvel, and Dan Walker as directors, and Walter Baker as trustee.
Protein Foundation's 2025 filing lists 6 officers; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Dan Walker
Director
Trustee & Director → Trustee, 2023
Trustee → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frank Starvel
Director
Trustee & Director → Trustee, 2023
Trustee → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roger Clement
Director
Trustee & Director → Trustee, 2023
Trustee → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephan Lanfer
Director
Board Chair → Trustee, 2023
Trustee → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Walter Baker
Trustee
Trustee → Trustee & Director, 2021
Trustee & Director → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Whit Gallagher
Director
Trustee & Director → Trustee, 2023
Trustee → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
16 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Carol Fuchella (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Matthew Owen (2020–2022) — Managing Director
- Former: Ralph Rogers (2020) — 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.
Frequently asked questions about Protein Foundation
How much does Protein Foundation give each year?
Protein Foundation gave $1.4M across 43 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.0M across 33 grants.
What is Protein Foundation's typical grant size?
Protein Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $31,977, across 43 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Protein Foundation that year got $23K on average.
Where does Protein Foundation give grants?
Protein Foundation's top state is Maine, with 27% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Massachusetts (21%) and New Hampshire (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bridgeport, CT (4 grants), Lewiston, ME (2 grants) and Barre, VT (2 grants).
Does Protein Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 43 grants with a stated purpose on Protein Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Protein Foundation's largest grantees?
Protein Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Straight Ahead Ministries ($65,000), Root Cellar ($60,000) and Paul Carlson Partnership ($60,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Protein Foundation?
Protein Foundation reported $1.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $1.4M.
What does Protein Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is “to glorify God by following Him as He leads us in the acquisition, operation, and disposition of businesses for the purpose of providing funds to ministries which feed people spiritually with a special emphasis on those that also feed physically and by teaching the word of God as witnesses for Jesus Christ.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Protein Foundation?
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Protein Foundation's EIN?
Protein Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-1046591. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Protein 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 5, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Protein Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/protein-foundation-morg_e946f310613248aa8972bad7792cfe1f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_061046591_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Protein Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/protein-foundation-morg_e946f310613248aa8972bad7792cfe1f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Protein 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.
Protein Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?