Elmina B Sewall Foundation
The Elmina B Sewall Foundation is a private foundation established in 1983 by Elmina Brewster Sewall of Kennebunk, Maine. Based in Freeport, Maine, the foundation operates with an equity-first approach to advance social and systems change. The organization believes that the health and well-being of people, animals, and the environment are inextricably linked and seeks to create a Maine where all thrive.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$164.8M
-3.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$14.4M
+7.3% YoY
Grant Count
296
+3.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$49K
+3.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation supports work in Maine to improve the well-being of people, animals and the environment while fostering relationships that strive for social equity and community resilience.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Conservation of the natural environment
- Animal welfare
- Human services and well-being
- Education
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
- Food systems
- Nature-based education
The foundation's approach centers on five core values: trust, creativity, relationships, community, and equity. The foundation operates with beliefs in interconnection, abundance, integrity, and commitment to guide its work.
Grantmaking
The foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations working in its areas of interest, primarily within Maine. It also funds select organizations outside Maine through its Legacy grant program, supporting organizations that were supported by Elmina B. Sewall during her lifetime.
Grant Types
How to Apply
** One-step, online grant application process
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds work in Maine, with some support for organizations in Massachusetts and California through its Legacy grant program.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $170,578,667
- Revenue: $5.29 million
- Expenses: $16.2 million
- Total Liabilities: $10.4 million
Tax Status: Section 501(c)(3) exempt private foundation; tax-exempt since June 1983
EIN: 01-0387404
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $164,831,338 | $170,578,667 | $166,615,697 |
| Revenue | $42,549 | $5,294,917 | $-3,635,299 |
| Expenses | $8,139,499 | $16,200,018 | $14,123,615 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $21,534,276 | $18,427,704 | $14,789,826 |
| Net Investment Income | $7,886,318 | $3,268,356 | $6,398,390 |
| Distributable Amount | $8,134,686 | $8,017,067 | $8,792,728 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from Elmina B Sewall Foundation
Animal Welfare Grant Program
Elmina B Sewall Foundation
Amount
US $10,000 - US $75,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Food Systems Grant Program
Elmina B Sewall Foundation
Amount
US $10,000 - US $1,000,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Keystone Grant Program
Elmina B Sewall Foundation
Amount
US $10,000 - US $100,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Gabriela Alcalde – Executive Director
- Amie Hutchison – Animal Welfare and Legacy Community Partner
- Gina Lamarche – Executive Support Partner
- Kristina Kalolo – Community Partner: Food Systems
- Leslie Hill – Board Member
- Lisa Smith – Administrative Coordinator
- Nikki Evans – Administrative Coordinator
- Norkplim Mattah – Beyond the Grant Team
- Sonya LaCoute-Dana – Wabanaki Community Partner
- Tom Boutureira – Program Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Gabriela Alcalde | Executive Director | 36 | $254,000 |
| Autumn Fitch | Director | 2 | $15,000 |
| Leslie Hill | Director | 1 | $10,000 |
| Amara Ifeji | Director | 1 | $12,500 |
| Dale McCormick | Director | 2 | $15,000 |
| Rotha Chan | Chair (end 5/2024) | 1 | $3,750 |
| Jono Anzalone | Director; Chair (start 5/2024) | 2 | $15,000 |
| Vendean Vafiades | Treasurer | 2 | $15,000 |
| John Banks | Secretary | 2 | $15,000 |
| Margaret Sewall Barbour | Member Emeritus | — | — |
Contact Information
Mailing Address: Elmina B. Sewall Foundation PO Box 1319 Portland, ME 04104
Phone: (207) 373-9206 or (207) 865-3810
Email: info@sewallfoundation.org
Website: sewallfoundation.org
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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