The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust
The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust is a private foundation, based in Charlottesville, VA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.4M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $138K. Net investment income was $39K.
The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust gave $138K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $138K), mostly in Maine. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $137,600
- +3.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $137,600
- +3.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $137,600
- Total assets
- $1,423,219
- -8.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Maine (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Main Idea Inc ($138K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 4 grants of 5 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−6%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 117% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $94K (2021) to $146K (2022). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $138K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Main Idea Inc Denmark, ME | General Purposes of Donee | $137,600 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,423,219 | $69,285 | $195,608 | $137,600 | 1 | $165,347 | $39,024 | $141,615 |
| 2024 | $1,549,542 | $69,236 | $188,621 | $133,080 | 1 | $157,520 | $40,886 | $134,331 |
| 2023 | $1,668,927 | $57,134 | $185,037 | $133,080 | 1 | $158,670 | $42,912 | $122,583 |
| 2022 | $1,796,830 | $102,294 | $201,494 | $145,716 | 1 | $164,680 | $74,698 | $131,231 |
| 2021 | $1,896,030 | $383,398 | $138,888 | $93,740 | 1 | $110,386 | $355,240 | $137,911 |
| 2020 | $1,651,520 | $72,963 | $179,948 | $136,576 | 1 | — | $47,790 | $123,567 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $142K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gwenn S. Herz
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$9K (2020) → $9K (2025)
Kim Phillips
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$9K (2023) → $9K (2025)
Susan Kohlmeyer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$9K (2020) → $9K (2025)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $9K, to Gwenn S Herz (Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust
How much does The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust give each year?
The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust gave $138K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $133K across 1 grant.
How large is The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust?
The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust reported $1.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $165K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $142K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust operate?
The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust has awarded grants in Maine.
What is The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust's EIN?
The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-6786255. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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 May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 5, 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 March 13, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work The Main Idea Inc Charitable Trust funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
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