Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation Inc
The Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation Inc is a private foundation established in 1991 and based in Kennebunkport, Maine. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN: 01-0537127) and has been tax-exempt since September 1992.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.7M
-10.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$843K
-35.4% YoY
Grant Count
43
-32.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
-3.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $189K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is giving primarily for children and education. The foundation provides grants and contributions, with investment income serving as the primary means by which the organization funds its grantmaking activities.
Grantmaking
The foundation has been in operation for more than three decades and has funded many nonprofits in Maine, specifically in York County, distributing millions of dollars in grants.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds nonprofits in Maine, with a specific focus on York County.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $1,664,264
- Total Revenue: $779,294
- Total Expenses: $982,470
- Total Giving: $842,500
- Total Liabilities: $0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,664,264 | $1,867,440 | $2,787,337 |
| Revenue | $779,294 | $543,870 | $74,874 |
| Expenses | $982,470 | $1,451,905 | $1,039,747 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $847,750 | $1,309,750 | $905,750 |
| Net Investment Income | $670,253 | $465,383 | $48,071 |
| Distributable Amount | $189,035 | $224,815 | $301,121 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
243 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include My Place Teen Center ($300,000), Good Shepard Food Bank ($30,000), Continuum Arts Collective ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MAINELY SMILES DBA MAINELY TEETH PORTLAND, ME | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| BIDDEFORD CULTURAL AND HERITAGE CENTER BIDDEFORD, ME | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF SOUTHERN MAINE WESTBROOK, ME | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| BRICK STORE MUSEUM KENNEBUNK, ME | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| CAMP SUSAN CURTIS PORTLAND, ME | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| CARING UNLIMITED SANFORD, ME | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| CENTER FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN PORTLAND, ME | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| COMMUNITY DENTAL PORTLAND, ME | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| CONTINUUM ARTS COLLECTIVE NORTH BERWICK, ME | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| CS3 KENNEBUNKPORT, ME | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board Members:
- Susan Ayer
- Carolyn May
- David May
The foundation previously worked closely with Gordon Ayer, who was instrumental in founding the Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation and served alongside Ginny and Warren Somers during their later years.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GORDON C AYER | PRESIDENT | 8 | $17,500 |
| SUSAN AYER | VICE PRESIDENT | 8 | $17,500 |
| CAROLYN B MAY | TREASURER | 4 | $17,500 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation announced in 2024 that it will be closing within the next three years. The foundation reported the passing of Gordon Ayer in June, noting his instrumental role in founding the organization and his deep commitment to the community through service on town boards and committees.
Virginia Folklife Program of Virginia Humanities Partners with Pomeroy Foundation\The foundation has continued to support community initiatives, including partnering with the Maine Association of Nonprofits to conduct an Advocacy 101 Workshop in September 2024, held in Kennebunk, Maine. The workshop was offered free of charge to 501(c)(3) organizations and included lunch and networking opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is giving primarily for children and education. The foundation provides grants and contributions, with investment income serving as the primary means by which the organization funds its grantmaking activities.
How do I apply for a grant from Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** The foundation has been in operation for more than three decades and has funded many nonprofits in Maine, specifically in York County, distributing millions of dollars in grants. **Recent Grants (2024):** • My Place Teen Center: $300,000 (General Operating Support) • Continuum Arts Collective: $25,000 (General Operating Support) • Kennebunk Free Library Association: $20,000 (General Operating Support) The foundation made 57 grants in the most recent fiscal year. Typical awar…
Where does Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds nonprofits in Maine, with a specific focus on York County.
What size grants does Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation Inc awarded 43 grants totaling $843K — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $189K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation Inc's EIN?
Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0537127. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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