Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation
Accepts applications
Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation is a private foundation in Westbrook, Maine. In tax year 2025 it gave $166,666 in 29 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $25,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$166,666
- Number of grants29
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$25,000
- Assets$52,223
- New grantees31%
Giving in 2025 was down from $182,500 the year before.
31% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $135,834 | 23 | $268,635 |
| 2024 | $182,500 | 26 | $107,693 |
| 2025 | $166,666 | 29 | $52,223 |
How to apply
| Contact | Carri Brown Treasurer 100 Larrabee Road Suite 400, Westbrook, ME 04092 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (207) 791-1248 |
| What to submit | Potential recipient organizations will be identified and examined by the Board of Directors of the Foundation. The Foundation may require written grant proposals from each potential grant recipient. If the Foundation does require a written grant proposal, the grant proposal should specify the purposes for which the grant will be used, the applicant's willingness and commitment to abide by any terms applicable to the grant, and the applicant will document their exempt status. After receipt of the grant funds, the grant recipient may be required to provide annual reports, as well as a final written report, detailing the use of grant funds. Grant terms of agreement may specify the Foundation's right to withhold and/or recover grant funds in case such funds are, or appear to be, misused. Applicants may also submit direct grant-requests to the Foundation online at: https://maine.bank/community/ |
| Restrictions | All recipient organizations are required to be Section 501(c)(3) organizations. The Foundation places particular emphasis on Maine-based organizations operating in Androscoggin, Cumberland, and York Counties, and intends to make grants to such organizations for the purposes of developing and improving local communities. Without limitation, the Foundation anticipates making grants to support public education, community recreational activities and facilities, local library services, and services benefitting poor and underprivileged populations. The Foundation will restrict the use of any grants made to a grantee organization to further the charitable purpose of the Foundation. Grant recipients may be subject to providing periodic reports back to the Foundation detailing how grant funds were expended in furtherance of approved exempt purposes. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation funds
Where it gives
All of its grants went to recipients in Maine.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | 29 | $166,666 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Way of Southern Maine | Keep ME warm Fund | $25,000 |
| Trinity Jubilee Center | General Purpose | $15,000 |
| My Place Teen Center | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| Presumpscot Regional Land Trust | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| Tedford Housing | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| Safe Voices | General Purpose | $8,333 |
| Tree Street Youth | General Purpose | $8,333 |
| Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project | General Purpose | $7,500 |
| Mainely Character | General Purpose | $5,000 |
| Preble Street | General Purpose | $5,000 |
| Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center | General Purpose | $5,000 |
| The Drop-In Center | General Purpose | $5,000 |
| The Locker Project | General Purpose | $5,000 |
| University of New England | General Purpose | $5,000 |
| University of Southern Maine Foundation | General Purpose | $5,000 |
| Valo | General Purpose | $5,000 |
| Biddeford Food Pantry | General Purpose | $2,500 |
| Church Community Outreach Services | General Purpose | $2,500 |
| Falmouth Food Pantry | General Purpose | $2,500 |
| First Congregational Church of Scarborough (Food Pantry) | General Purpose | $2,500 |
| Gorham Food Pantry | General Purpose | $2,500 |
| High Street Congregational Church (Food Pantry) | General Purpose | $2,500 |
| Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program Inc | General Purpose | $2,500 |
| Saco Food Pantry | General Purpose | $2,500 |
| South Portland Food Cupboard | General Purpose | $2,500 |
| Standish Food Pantry | General Purpose | $2,500 |
| Waterboro Community Pantry | General Purpose | $2,500 |
| Westbrook Community Food and Resource Center | General Purpose | $2,500 |
| Windham Food Pantry and Clothes Closet | General Purpose | $2,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Heather Chandler
- Dan Colby
- Jazmine Durran
- Alan Hahnel
- Chris Hanks
- Gail Nason
- Jon Oxman
- Debra Roy
- Wayne Sherman
- Christine Weymouth
- Richard Whiting
- David Willis
- Bradford Wise
- Steve DeCastro
- Jeanne Hulit
Questions people ask
Does Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation give?
$166,666 in tax year 2025, across 29 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Heather Chandler (Board Member), Dan Colby (Board Member), Jazmine Durran (Board Member) and Alan Hahnel (Board Member) among 15 officers and trustees.
What does Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly human services, food and hunger and youth programs.