Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson
Simmons Foundation is a private foundation based in Portland, Maine. It supports eligible nonprofit organizations and government agencies or subdivisions for projects that serve community needs, with the foundation especially welcoming seed funding and innovative projects serving underserved populations.
Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson at a glance
In short: Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson gave $180K across 68 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in Maine. 59% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $179,700
- +4.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 68
- +28.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,643
- -18.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $3,568,804
- +7.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 59% first-time grantees (40 of 68, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Maine (100% 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 Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts requests from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and government agencies or subdivisions; it does not fund or act on behalf of specific individuals. Applicants are directed to submit the application cover sheet and required supporting materials. The cover sheet requests information about the organization, project need and plan, budget, requested amount, population and region served, expected reach, measures of success, and plans for continued funding. The foundation especially welcomes seed funding and innovative projects serving underserved populations and demonstrating a multiplier effect. It usually declines general annual fund campaigns, major capital campaigns, ongoing salaries or general operating funds, limited local projects better handled by local community support, and projects that do not benefit Maine residents. A completed-project report is requested within six months of project completion; it is required with or before a multi-year request.
- Review Cycle
- The foundation’s 2024 filing states that there are no submission deadlines. Its website lists April 15 and October 15 deadlines for upcoming meetings, so applicants should verify the current instructions.
- Deadline
- The foundation’s 2024 filing states that there are no submission deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Paul Rausch Co Perkins Thompson
Mailing address: One Canal Plaza, Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 774-2635
Website: https://simmonsfoundationmaine.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Southern Maine Scholarship Dept ($10K). Together the top 10 received $51K.
Grant Size Distribution
249 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 248 grants of 249 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says it usually declines projects that do not benefit Maine residents. All 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Maine.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 68 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson open to new grantees?
59%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 40 of 68 grantees (59%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 22% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−4%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 109% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $124K (2020) to $187K (2021). In 2024 it made 68 grants totaling $180K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Southern Maine Scholarship Dept Portland, ME | Scholarships | $10,000 |
| Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries Stonington, ME | Education andWorkforce DevelopmentPrograms | $5,000 |
| Central Lincoln County YMCA Damariscotta, ME | Cooking Classes | $5,000 |
| Gould Academy Bethel, ME | Scholarship | $5,000 |
| Foundation for Portland Public Schools Portland, ME | Mobile OpticalServices | $5,000 |
| Portland Symphony Orchestra Portland, ME | Kinder Concerts | $5,000 |
| Camp Susan Curtis Portland, ME | Camperships | $4,000 |
| Frannie Peabody Center Portland, ME | Community Outreachand EducationInitiatives | $4,000 |
| Mount Desert Nursing Association Northeast Harbor, ME | Medical Supplies | $4,000 |
| Community Clinical Services Inc Lewiston, ME | Interpreter Services | $4,000 |
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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 | $3,568,804 | $467,023 | $227,966 | $179,700 | 68 | $185,333 | $447,944 | $169,961 |
| 2023 | $3,331,940 | $468,625 | $217,812 | $172,500 | 53 | $180,122 | $137,725 | $158,631 |
| 2022 | $3,068,577 | $-571,792 | $168,880 | $136,800 | 39 | $140,399 | $156,091 | $153,093 |
| 2021 | $3,819,872 | $484,426 | $230,576 | $186,676 | 45 | $191,820 | $304,858 | $176,982 |
| 2020 | $3,564,075 | $487,272 | $178,240 | $123,500 | 44 | — | $176,298 | $164,644 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson reported a distributable amount of $170K 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
Founded in 1959, the foundation’s stated purposes include advancing religious, charitable, scientific, literary, and educational works, and helping poor and needy people become self-supporting, obtain education or training, and perform useful or creative work.
The foundation may fund direct services, start-up assistance for appropriate new organizations, matching funds for certain campaigns, and scholarships to programs that meet its criteria. Its 2024 grants illustrate support for varied organizations and activities. For example, the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries describes its mission as securing a sustainable future for fisheries and fishing communities in Eastern Maine and beyond; the Foundation for Portland Public Schools says it works to increase educational opportunities, achievement, and equity; and Community Clinical Services says it works to improve community health and well-being through patient-centered care, advocacy, and engagement.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 68 grants totaling $179,700. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $10,000, with a median of $2,500. The largest award was $10,000 to the University of Southern Maine Scholarship Dept for scholarships. Other notable grants included $5,000 to the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries for education and workforce development programs; $5,000 to Central Lincoln County YMCA for cooking classes; $5,000 to Gould Academy for scholarships; and $5,000 to the Foundation for Portland Public Schools for mobile optical services. The Portland Symphony Orchestra also received $5,000 for Kinder Concerts.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Robert Woodward as president; Tina Jennings as vice president; Paul H. Rausch as treasurer; and Deanna Woodward, Robert Aranson, Samuel Woodward, John R. Opperman, Heidi Farber, and Thomas P. Chandel as trustees. The foundation’s website also lists Timothy Benoit as a trustee.
Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson is led by Robert Woodward, President on every filing since 2020; all 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert Woodward
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$100 (2020) → $100 (2024)
Deanna Woodward
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$100 (2020) → $100 (2024)
John R Opperman Esq.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$100 (2020) → $100 (2024)
Robert Aranson MD
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$100 (2020) → $100 (2024)
Samuel Woodward
Trustee
Trustee → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$100 (2020) → $100 (2024)
Heidi Farber
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$100 (2021) → $100 (2024)
Thomas P Chandel CPA
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$100 (2023) → $100 (2024)
Paul H Rausch
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $1K (2024)
Tina Jennings
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$100 (2020) → $100 (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Stephen G Woodward (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Anita White (2020–2021) — Trustee
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 $1K, to Paul H Rausch (Treasurer). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson
How much does Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson give each year?
Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson gave $180K across 68 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $173K across 53 grants.
What is Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson's typical grant size?
Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $2,643, across 68 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson that year got $3K on average.
Where does Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson give grants?
Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson gives mostly in Maine: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, ME (23 grants), Augusta, ME (5 grants), Damariscotta, ME (2 grants) and Camden, ME (2 grants).
Does Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 68 grants with a stated purpose on Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Food" (4 grants) and "Camperships" (3 grants).
Who are Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson's largest grantees?
Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson's largest 2024 grantees include University of Southern Maine Scholarship Dept ($10,000), Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries ($5,000) and Central Lincoln County YMCA ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 11% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson?
Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson reported $3.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $185K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $170K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson fund?
Founded in 1959, the foundation’s stated purposes include advancing religious, charitable, scientific, literary, and educational works, and helping poor and needy people become self-supporting, obtain education or training, and perform useful or creative work. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson?
The foundation accepts requests from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and government agencies or subdivisions; it does not fund or act on behalf of specific individuals. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson's EIN?
Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0277832. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/simmons-foundation-perkinsthompson-morg_599c272972d545d2a1a39d1a22ed5550
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_010277832_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/simmons-foundation-perkinsthompson-morg_599c272972d545d2a1a39d1a22ed5550},
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 Simmons Foundation - PerkinsThompson'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.
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