Elmina B Sewall Foundation
Accepts applications
Elmina B Sewall Foundation is a private foundation in Freeport, Maine. In tax year 2024 it gave $5.1 million in 296 grants; the typical grant was $30,975 and the largest $580,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$5.1 million
- Number of grants296
- Typical grant$30,975
- Largest grant$580,000
- Assets$165 million
- New grantees17%
Giving in 2024 was down from $13.3 million the year before.
17% of its 2024 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 | $13.3 million | 286 | $171 million |
| 2024 | $5.1 million | 296 | $165 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Laura Dover 15 Main Street Suite 230, Freeport, ME 04032 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (207) 373-9206, info@sewallfoundation.org |
| What to submit | The Foundation will only accept applications submitted through the Foundation's online grant system. Organizations may submit an application one time per calendar year. Some exceptions may be made in the case of fiscal sponsorships and multi-organization collaborations. Organizations with active multi-year grants must wait to apply for additional funding until the year in which the current grant-term ends. The Foundation's support for animal well-being is rooted in the interests of its founder and our recognition that the health and well-being of animals, people and environment are inextricably linked. We will fund organizations working to reduce barriers to equitable pet ownership, keep pets with their owners, and humanely control pet populations. The focus of this funding is on cats and dogs. More information for the Animal Welfare Program can be found at: https://www.sewallfoundation.org/animal-welfare |
| Deadlines | 2025 Applications were due by February, 2025. Grant decisions were announced in April, 2025. |
| Restrictions | Applicants must be eligible to accept tax-deductible donations as outlined in Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. This includes 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt organizations, public schools, public agencies working for the State of Maine, or Indian tribal governments (and their political subdivisions) recognized by the Department of the Interior. The Foundation limits and prioritizes grant support to charitable work in Maine that aligns with its stated priorities. This requirement may be waived for a defined group of Legacy organizations. For nonprofits based in Maine, the Foundation will check with the Maine Secretary of State's website to determine that applicants' annual report filings are up-to-date. The Foundation will only consider grants for operations, projects, or capital acquisition; the Foundation does not consider grants for endowments. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Elmina B Sewall Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 14 states, the most to Maine.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | 260 | $12.8 million |
| Massachusetts | 7 | $465,000 |
| Vermont | 2 | $260,000 |
| California | 7 | $220,000 |
| New York | 4 | $185,000 |
| New Hampshire | 4 | $135,000 |
| Virginia | 4 | $122,500 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $62,500 |
| Kentucky | 1 | $25,000 |
| North Carolina | 1 | $25,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise County Economic Council | General Operating Support | $580,000 |
| Maine Environmental Education Association | General Operating Support | $267,000 |
| United Somali Women of Maine | General Operating Support | $261,200 |
| Maine Audubon | General Operating Support | $260,000 |
| New Learning Journey | General Operating Support | $225,000 |
| Center for An Ecology-Based Economy | General Operating Support | $200,000 |
| Outdoor Sports Institute Inc | General Operating Support | $200,000 |
| Cooperative Development Institute | General Operating Support | $185,000 |
| Maine Development Foundation | General Operating Support | $185,000 |
| Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point | General Operating Support | $180,000 |
| Our Katahdin | General Operating Support | $175,000 |
| Maine Immigrant & Refugee Services | General Operating Support | $172,500 |
| Sunrise Opportunities | General Operating Support | $172,500 |
| Maine Initiatives Inc | General Operating Support | $157,100 |
| Aroostook Band of Micmacs | General Operating Support | $150,000 |
| Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research and Education | General Operating Support | $150,000 |
| Four Directions Development Corporation | General Operating Support | $150,000 |
| Maliseet Community Development Authority | General Operating Support | $150,000 |
| Community Concepts Incorporated | General Operating Support | $140,000 |
| Millinocket Regional Hospital | General Operating Support | $140,000 |
| Maine Coast Heritage Trust | General Operating Support | $133,000 |
| Maine Community Integration | General Operating Support | $125,000 |
| Rural Aspirations Project | General Operating Support | $125,000 |
| Maine Association For The Education Of Young Children | General Operating Support | $120,000 |
| Wabanaki Health and Wellness Inc | General Operating Support | $118,000 |
| Hand in Hand Mano en Mano | General Operating Support | $115,206 |
| Land Peace Foundation | General Operating Support | $115,000 |
| Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Foundation | General Operating Support | $115,000 |
| Maine Farmland Trust Inc | General Operating Support | $115,000 |
| Maine People's Resource Center | General Operating Support | $110,000 |
| Third Sector New England Inc | General Operating Support | $110,000 |
| Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition | General Operating Support | $105,000 |
| Friends of Veterans' Memorial Library | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Maine Federation of Farmers Markets | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA) | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Millinocket Memorial Library | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| The Trust for Public Land | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Maine Conservation Alliance | General Operating Support | $92,500 |
| Maine State Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation | General Operating Support | $90,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Dr Gabriela Alcalde
- Autumn Fitch
- Leslie Hill
- Amara Ifeji
- Dale McCormick
- Rotha Chan
- Jono Anzalone
- Vendean Vafiades
- John Banks
- Margaret Sewall Barbour
Questions people ask
Does Elmina B Sewall Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: 2025 Applications were due by February, 2025. Grant decisions were announced in April, 2025..
How much does Elmina B Sewall Foundation give?
$5.1 million in tax year 2024, across 296 grants, with a typical grant of $30,975.
Who runs Elmina B Sewall Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Dr Gabriela Alcalde (Executive Director), Autumn Fitch (Director), Leslie Hill (Director) and Amara Ifeji (Director) among 10 officers and trustees.
What does Elmina B Sewall Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, education and animals.