Libra Foundation Owen W Wells Trustee
Historical FunderPortland, Maine · EIN 04-6626994 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2025)$4.3M
Organizations funded56
Typical grant$5,000
Total assets$148.6M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $5,000 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 | JERE G MICHELSON |
|---|---|
| Address | PO BOX 17516, PORTLAND ME 04112 |
| Phone | 2078796280 |
| Form and materials | 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. |
| Deadlines | NONE |
| 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. |
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
1% of grants went outside Maine.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pineland Farms Inc | New Gloucester, ME | Develop, operate and staff pineland farms, inc. for agricultural promotion, education and research in maine | $3,845,000 |
| Fort Kent Outdoor Center | Fort Kent, ME | General operating support | $50,000 |
| Farnsworth Art Museum | Rockland, ME | General operating support | $20,000 |
| Portland Museum of Art | Portland, ME | General operating support | $20,000 |
| Portland Stage Company | Portland, ME | General operating support | $20,000 |
| Portland Symphony Orchestra | Portland, ME | General operating support | $20,000 |
| Good Shepherd Food Bank | Auburn, ME | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Island Institute | Rockland, ME | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Maine Historical Society | Portland, ME | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Maine Maritime Museum | Bath, ME | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Maine Public | Lewiston, ME | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Peregrine Corporation Dba Strive | South Portland, ME | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Salvation Army - Northern New England Division | Portland, ME | General operating support | $10,000 |
| American Red Cross of Maine | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Autism Society of Maine | Winthrop, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Bangor Symphony Orchestra | Bangor, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Bay Chamber Concerts | Camden, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences | East Boothbay, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Center for Grieving Children | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Center for Maine Contemporary Art | Rockland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Childrens Museum & Theatre of Maine | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens | Boothbay, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Cromwell Center for Disabilities Awareness | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Downeast Community Partners | Ellsworth, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Forest Society of Maine | Bangor, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Gulf of Maine Research Institute | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Home Inc | Orland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Hurricane Island Foundation | Rockland, ME | Scallop aquaculture workforce development | $5,000 |
| Iris Network | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Lakes Environmental Association | Bridgton, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Legal Services for the Elderly | Augusta, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation | Bethel, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Association of Nonprofits | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Audubon | Falmouth, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting | Hallowell, ME | Fitzgerald public policy & outreach fellowship programs internships | $5,000 |
| Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers | Waterville, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Discovery Museum | Bangor, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Farmland Trust | Belfast, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Ffa Association | Augusta, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Media Workshops | Rockport, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association | Unity, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine State Ballet | Falmouth, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine State Music Theatre | Brunswick, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals | South Windham, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Monhegan Historical & Cultural Museum Association | Monhegan, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Northern Forest Center - Maine | Concord, NH | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Ogunquit Museum of American Art | Ogunquit, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Ogunquit Playhouse | Ogunquit, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Penobscot Marine Museum | Searsport, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Penobscot Theatre Company | Bangor, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Penquis Community Action Program Inc | Bangor, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Portland Ballet | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Portland Conservatory of Music | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Portland Ovations | Portland, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
| YMCA Camp of Maine | Winthrop, ME | General operating support | $5,000 |
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Kent Outdoor Center | Fort Kent, ME | General operating support | $100,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,260,000 | 57 |
| 2024 | $5,201,471 | 67 |
| 2023 | $6,062,723 | 65 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed Aug 26, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202642389349100024
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 04-6626994
- 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.