Fisher Charitable Foundation
Accepts applications
Fisher Charitable Foundation is a private foundation in Portland, Maine. In tax year 2025 it gave $546,333 in 107 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$546,333
- Number of grants107
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$25,000
- Assets$7.1 million
- New grantees43%
Giving in 2025 was up from $535,400 the year before.
43% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $483,350 | 84 | $6.8 million |
| 2024 | $535,400 | 109 | $7.1 million |
| 2025 | $546,333 | 107 | $7.1 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Owen W Wells PO Box 17513, Portland, ME 04112 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (207) 253-1568 |
| What to submit | Information and a grant application can be found on the foundation's website https://fishercharitablefoundation.org/application-procedures/ |
| Deadlines | February 15, may 15, august 15, november 15 |
| Restrictions | The foundation generally limits its grants to charitable organizations, activities, operations or purposes which take place within the state of Maine. |
What Fisher Charitable Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 3 states, the most to Maine.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | 104 | $529,333 |
| Georgia | 2 | $15,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $2,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Medical Center | Dean l. Fisher scholarships | $25,000 |
| Downeast Community Partners | General operating support | $15,000 |
| Hospice of Southern Maine | Medical equipment, supplies, and medications | $15,000 |
| Mitchell Institute | General operating support | $15,000 |
| United Way of Aroostook | General operating support | $15,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine | A place for growth capital campaign | $10,000 |
| Community Concepts | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Community Dental | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Knox County Homeless Coalition | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Legal Services for the Elderly | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Lifeflight Foundation | Lifeflight critical care program | $10,000 |
| Open Arms Clinic Inc | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Portland Museum of Art | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Portland Symphony Orchestra | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Youth Full Maine | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory | Pfas testing | $9,983 |
| Students Empowered to End Dependency (Seed) | General operating support | $7,500 |
| Friends of Long Creek Youth Development Center | Incarcerated youth programs | $6,500 |
| Island Institute | General operating support | $6,000 |
| Penobscot Community Health Care | General operating support | $6,000 |
| 317 Main Community Music Center | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Abbe Museum | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Avesta Housing Development Corporation | Homeless to housing program | $5,000 |
| Bangor Symphony Orchestra | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Care and Share Food Closet | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Dempsey Center | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Farnsworth Art Museum | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Furniture Friends | Program expansion | $5,000 |
| Goodwill Industries of Northern New England | Snap employment & training | $5,000 |
| Gulf of Maine Research Institute | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Healthy Island Project | Food security programs | $5,000 |
| Homeless Services of Aroostook | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Locker Project | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Association for the Education of Young Children | Teach early education maine program | $5,000 |
| Maine Historical Society | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Public | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Seacoast Mission | General operating support | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Alexsandra L Fisher
- Owen W Wells
- Arie Fisher Coles
- Craig N Denekas
- Henry LP Schmelzer
- Meg Baxter
- Cynthia K Hammond
- Paul D Pietropaoli
Questions people ask
Does Fisher Charitable Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: February 15, may 15, august 15, november 15.
How much does Fisher Charitable Foundation give?
$546,333 in tax year 2025, across 107 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs Fisher Charitable Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Alexsandra L Fisher (Trustee/President), Owen W Wells (Trustee/Clerk), Arie Fisher Coles (Trustee) and Craig N Denekas (Trustee) among 8 officers and trustees.
What does Fisher Charitable Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly health, arts and culture and youth programs.