Libra Foundation
Accepts applications
Libra Foundation is a private foundation in Portland, Maine. In tax year 2025 it gave $4.4 million in 56 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $3.8 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$4.4 million
- Number of grants56
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$3.8 million
- Assets$149 million
- New grantees5%
Giving in 2025 was down from $5.1 million the year before.
5% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $6.0 million | 65 | $138 million |
| 2024 | $5.1 million | 67 | $132 million |
| 2025 | $4.4 million | 56 | $149 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Jere G Michelson PO Box 17516, Portland, ME 04112 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (207) 879-6280 |
| What to submit | The foundation requires that a formal application be submitted including organization name, address, charitable project, amount requested, purpose of project, geographic area and number of people to be served by project. |
| Restrictions | Applicant must be a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) and not a private foundation under section 509(a). The foundation limits its grants to charitable organizations, activities, operations or purposes which only take place within the state of Maine. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Libra Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 2 states, the most to Maine.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | 55 | $4.3 million |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pineland Farms Inc | Develop, operate and staff pineland farms, inc. For agricultural promotion, education and research in maine | $3.8 million |
| Fort Kent Outdoor Center | General operating support | $50,000 |
| Farnsworth Art Museum | General operating support | $20,000 |
| Portland Museum of Art | General operating support | $20,000 |
| Portland Stage Company | General operating support | $20,000 |
| Portland Symphony Orchestra | General operating support | $20,000 |
| Good Shepherd Food Bank | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Island Institute | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Maine Historical Society | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Maine Maritime Museum | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Maine Public | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Peregrine Corporation DBA Strive | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Salvation Army - Northern New England Division | General operating support | $10,000 |
| American Red Cross of Maine | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Autism Society of Maine | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Bangor Symphony Orchestra | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Bay Chamber Concerts | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Center for Grieving Children | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Center for Maine Contemporary Art | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Childrens Museum & Theatre of Maine | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Cromwell Center for Disabilities Awareness | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Downeast Community Partners | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Forest Society of Maine | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Gulf of Maine Research Institute | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Home Inc | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Hurricane Island Foundation | Scallop aquaculture workforce development | $5,000 |
| Iris Network | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Lakes Environmental Association | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Legal Services for the Elderly | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Association of Nonprofits | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Audubon | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting | Fitzgerald public policy & outreach fellowship programs internships | $5,000 |
| Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Discovery Museum | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Farmland Trust | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine FFA Association | General operating support | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Owen W Wells
- Craig N Denekas
- Jere G Michelson
- Erik Hayward
- Pendred E Noyce
- William J Ryan
- Paul Pietropaoli
- Rhianon R Liu
Questions people ask
Does Libra Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does Libra Foundation give?
$4.4 million in tax year 2025, across 56 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs Libra Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Owen W Wells (Trustee), Craig N Denekas (Chairman/Ceo), Jere G Michelson (President/Coo/Cfo) and Erik Hayward (Executive Vice President) among 8 officers and trustees.
What does Libra Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly science and research, arts and culture and environment and conservation.