Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust
Accepts applications
Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust is a private foundation in Portland, Maine. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.3 million in 123 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $50,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$1.3 million
- Number of grants123
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$50,000
- Assets$31.8 million
- New grantees100%
Giving in 2025 was down from $1.3 million the year before.
100% 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 | $1.3 million | 1 | $24.5 million |
| 2024 | $1.3 million | 1 | $28.5 million |
| 2025 | $1.3 million | 123 | $31.8 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Lissa Widoff Program Advisor Jensen Baird 10 Free Street, Portland, ME 04101 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (207) 775-7271, programs@morton-kelly.org |
| What to submit | Submission of online application. See website, www.morton-kelly.org for additional information and requirements. |
| Deadlines | October 1 of each year |
| Restrictions | Discretion of Board of Directors, but generally environmental, cultural and historical organizations and activities in Maine. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 3 states, the most to Maine.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | 121 | $1.3 million |
| Vermont | 1 | $15,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $10,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Preble Street | Capital Campaign | $50,000 |
| Bomazeen Land Trust | Cultural Transmission, Operating Support | $20,000 |
| Friends of the Veterans' Memorial Library | Friends of the Veterans Memorial Library and Community Center | $20,000 |
| Greater Portland Landmarks | Operating Support: Strategic Plan in Action | $20,000 |
| Indigo Arts Alliance | Indigo Arts Alliance | $20,000 |
| Maine Environmental Education Association | Maine Environmental Education Association Operating Support 2025 | $20,000 |
| Maine Historical Society | Maine Historical Society - Revolutionary Maine: America at 250 | $20,000 |
| Maine Humanities Council | Operating Support: Humanities in Need | $20,000 |
| Maine Preservation | Operating Support Technical Assistance | $20,000 |
| Wabanaki Community Foundation | Start-up Operations | $20,000 |
| Aroostook Arts and Education Center DBA Wintergreen Arts Center | Operating Support for the Aroostook Arts and Education Center DBA Wintergreen Arts Center | $15,000 |
| Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine | Operating Support for the Childrens Museum & Theatre of Maine | $15,000 |
| Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust | Operating Support | $15,000 |
| Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research and Education | Let's Find Out What Is Out There - Then Manage, Restore, and Protect It | $15,000 |
| Downeast Salmon Federation | Downeast Salmon Federation Operating Support | $15,000 |
| Eastern Trail Alliance | Eastern Trail Alliance - Operating Support | $15,000 |
| First Light New Learning Journey | First Light Operating Support 2025-2026 | $15,000 |
| Johnson Hall Inc | Operating | $15,000 |
| Maine Appalachian Trail Club Inc | Maine Appalachian Trail Club Operating Support | $15,000 |
| Maine Coast Heritage Trust | Gebung Woods Parcel Acquisition | $15,000 |
| Maine Farmland Trust | Maine Farmland Trust Operating Support | $15,000 |
| Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance | Teach ME Outside | $15,000 |
| Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) | Operating Support for Building a Healthy and Fair Food System in a Time of Uncertainty | $15,000 |
| Maine Seacoast Mission | Maine Seacoast Mission Operating: Services for Downeast and Islands, including Nature Access | $15,000 |
| Maine Trails Coalition | 2025 Operating Support Request for the Maine Trails Coalition | $15,000 |
| Mechanics' Hall (Maine Charitable Mechanic Association) | Operating Support for Mechanics' Hall | $15,000 |
| Midcoast Conservancy | Operating Support for Midcoast Conservancy | $15,000 |
| Pejepscot Historical Society (dba Pejepscot History Center) | Building Connections: Opening Doors to Our Community | $15,000 |
| Portland Museum of Art | Art for All | $15,000 |
| Portland Symphony Orchestra | Dawnland to the Planets: The Music of The Wabanaki and Holst | $15,000 |
| Preble Street | Preble Street Operating Support | $15,000 |
| Scarborough Land Trust | Fuller Farm Bridge and Trail Improvements | $15,000 |
| Schoodic Arts for All | 2025 Operating Support | $15,000 |
| Waterfall Arts | Operating Support | $15,000 |
| Wild Seed Project | Experiential Education in the Classroom - Student and Community Leadership | $15,000 |
| Friends of Casco Bay | Tracking, Protecting, and Restoring Eelgrass through Technology and Community Engagement | $13,000 |
| Cape Elizabeth Land Trust | Improved Access Trail at Robinson Woods Preserve | $12,500 |
| Downeast Lakes Land Trust | Operational support for the Downeast Lakes Land Trust | $12,500 |
| Eastport Arts Center | Eastport Arts Center | $12,500 |
| The Ecology School | Operating Funds to Support Equitable Access to Immersive Ecology-Based Education For Maine Students | $12,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Douglas M Henry
- Marilyn A Lalumiere
- Michael J Quinlan
- Janet Henry
- Erik C Jorgensen
- D Tyler Kidder
- Mari Jones
- Sheila Jans
Questions people ask
Does Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: October 1 of each year.
How much does Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust give?
$1.3 million in tax year 2025, across 123 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust?
Its 2025 filing lists Douglas M Henry (President/Director), Marilyn A Lalumiere (Director/Past President), Michael J Quinlan (Treasurer/Secretary/Director) and Janet Henry (Director) among 8 officers and trustees.
What does Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, environment and conservation and education.