The Esta Kramer Foundation
The Esta Kramer Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Damariscotta, ME. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.8M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 15 grants totaling $220K. Net investment income was $121K.
Key facts about The Esta Kramer Foundation
In short: The Esta Kramer Foundation gave $220K across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $15K), mostly in Maine. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 86-6532039
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $220,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 15
- Average grant
- $14,667
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $2,811,313
- Primary geography
- Maine (54% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.8M
-3.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$220K
-27.0% YoY
Grant Count
15
-31.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
+7.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Esta Kramer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $206K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How The Esta Kramer Foundation gives
- 71% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 631% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 109% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 15 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
61 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FRIENDS OF KISIMANI SCHOOL Bethesda, MD | TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION | $75,000 |
| CAPITAL AREA NEW MAINERS PROJECT Augusta, ME | UNRESTRICTED | $35,000 |
| SKIDOMPHA LIBRARY Damariscotta, ME | UNRESTRICTED | $25,000 |
| ECUMENICAL FOOD PANTRY Newcastle, ME | UNRESTRICTED | $15,000 |
| LINCOLN ACADEMY Newcastle, ME | SCHOLARSHIP FOR JULIA NELSON | $14,000 |
| CDA COLLABORATIVE LEARNING Cambridge, MA | ASSISTANCE FOR MERGER | $10,000 |
| CHIP INC Newcastle, ME | HEATING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM | $10,000 |
| HEALTHY KIDS Damariscotta, ME | UNRESTRICTED | $10,000 |
| PHANTOM THEATER Warren, VT | MATCHING GRANT | $7,500 |
| QUILLART CENTRO CULTURAL DE ARTE | AFTERSCHOOL/SUMMER MUSIC & ARTS | $5,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,811,313 | $2,898,877 | $3,038,424 |
| Revenue | $183,763 | $209,495 | $148,180 |
| Expenses | $271,327 | $349,042 | $92,280 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $224,005 | $304,862 | $50,665 |
| Net Investment Income | $121,414 | $164,315 | $111,303 |
| Distributable Amount | $205,965 | $195,666 | $174,271 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Esta Kramer Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Isaac Vesery
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonah Vesery
Trustee
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
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 The Esta Kramer Foundation
How much does The Esta Kramer Foundation give each year?
The Esta Kramer Foundation gave $220K across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $302K across 22 grants.
What is The Esta Kramer Foundation's typical grant size?
The Esta Kramer Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $14,667, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Esta Kramer Foundation give grants?
The Esta Kramer Foundation gives mostly in Maine: 54% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Maryland (34%) and Vermont (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Damariscotta, ME (4 grants) and Newcastle, ME (3 grants).
Does The Esta Kramer Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 53% of The Esta Kramer Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 15) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Esta Kramer Foundation's largest grantees?
The Esta Kramer Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Friends of Kisimani School ($75,000), Capital Area New Mainers Project ($35,000) and Skidompha Library ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Esta Kramer Foundation?
The Esta Kramer Foundation reported $2.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $224K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $206K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Esta Kramer Foundation?
The Esta Kramer Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Damariscotta, ME. It holds $2.8M in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Esta Kramer Foundation's EIN?
The Esta Kramer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-6532039. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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