Fisher Charitable Foundation
Historical FunderPortland, Maine · EIN 01-0512082 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$546K
Organizations funded107
Typical grant$5,000
Total assets$7.1M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $2,500 and $5,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2025):
| Contact | OWEN W WELLS |
|---|---|
| Address | PO BOX 17513, PORTLAND ME 04112 |
| Phone | 2072531568 |
| Form and materials | 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. |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
2% of grants went outside Maine.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine Medical Center | Portland, ME | Dean L. fisher scholarships | $25,000 |
| Downeast Community Partners | Ellsworth, ME | General operating support | $15,000 |
| Hospice of Southern Maine | Scarborough, ME | Medical equipment, supplies, and medications | $15,000 |
| Mitchell Institute | Portland, ME | General operating support | $15,000 |
| United Way of Aroostook | Presque Isle, ME | General operating support | $15,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine | Portland, ME | A place for growth capital campaign | $10,000 |
| Community Concepts | Lewiston, ME | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Community Dental | Portland, ME | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine | Auburn, ME | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Knox County Homeless Coalition | Rockland, ME | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Legal Services for the Elderly | Augusta, ME | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Lifeflight Foundation | Augusta, ME | Lifeflight critical care program | $10,000 |
| Open Arms Clinic Inc | Toccoa, GA | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Portland Museum of Art | Portland, ME | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Portland Symphony Orchestra | Portland, ME | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Youth Full Maine | Biddeford, ME | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory | Salisbury Cove, ME | Pfas testing | $9,983 |
| Students Empowered to End Dependency (Seed) | Scarborough, ME | General operating support | $7,500 |
| Friends of Long Creek Youth Development Center | South Portland, ME | Incarcerated youth programs | $6,500 |
| Island Institute | Rockland, ME | General operating support | $6,000 |
| Penobscot Community Health Care | Bangor, ME | General operating support | $6,000 |
| 317 Main Community Music Center | Yarmouth, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Abbe Museum | Bar Harbor, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Avesta Housing Development Corporation | Portland, ME | Homeless to housing program | $5,000 |
| Bangor Symphony Orchestra | Bangor, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine | Camden, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine | Westbrook, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Care and Share Food Closet | Farmington, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Dempsey Center | South Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Farnsworth Art Museum | Rockland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Furniture Friends | Westbrook, ME | Program expansion | $5,000 |
| Goodwill Industries of Northern New England | Gorham, ME | Snap employment & training | $5,000 |
| Gulf of Maine Research Institute | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Healthy Island Project | Stonington, ME | Food security programs | $5,000 |
| Homeless Services of Aroostook | Presque Isle, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Locker Project | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Association for the Education of Young Children | Augusta, ME | Teach early education maine program | $5,000 |
| Maine Historical Society | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Public | Lewiston, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Seacoast Mission | Northeast Harbor, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Merryspring Nature Center | Camden, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Methodist Conference Home | Rockland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Midcoast Habitat for Humanity | Rockport, ME | Firefly field project | $5,000 |
| Mid-Coast Recovery Coalition | Camden, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Neighbors 4 Neighbors | Toccoa, GA | Weekend and summer feeding program | $5,000 |
| North Berwick Food Pantry | North Berwick, ME | Feeding our neighbors: expanding access in a time of crisis program | $5,000 |
| Portland Stage Company | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Preble Street | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Safe Voices | Auburn, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Shalom House | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Southern Harbor Eldercare Service | North Haven, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Southern Maine Agency on Aging | Biddeford, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| St Brendan the Navigator Parish | Camden, ME | St. bernard soup kitchen | $5,000 |
| Susan L Curtis Charitable Foundation | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Tree Street Youth | Lewiston, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Waldo County YMCA | Belfast, ME | Scholarship program | $5,000 |
| YMCA Camp of Maine | Winthrop, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Big Rock | Mars Hill, ME | Volunteer recruitment and retention | $4,000 |
| Iris Network | Portland, ME | General operating support | $4,000 |
| Maine Academy of Modern Music | Portland, ME | General operating support | $4,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 107 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $546,333 | 107 |
| 2024 | $535,400 | 109 |
| 2023 | $483,350 | 84 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 14, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202641349349104229
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 01-0512082
- Profile updated Nov 4, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.