Maine Community Foundation

Maine Community Foundation

Maine Community Foundation was established in 1983 as a nonprofit that manages and distributes charitable funds from multiple donors. Deborah Ellwood holds the role of President and CEO while Ben Sprague serves as Board Chair. The foundation maintains allocations to private equity, hedge funds, infrastructure, natural resources, real estate, and startups. Confirmed holdings include a minority stake in the Exemplary Forestry Investment Fund timber project near Moosehead Lake, a position in Aligned Solar Partners 6 through Aligned Climate Partners, and partnership commitments via the Maine Venture Fund and Gulf of Maine Research Institute. Geographic focus remains North America with primary activity inside Maine. It also pursues direct affordable housing preservation deals in partnership with Genesis Community Loan Fund. The organization employs 48 professionals and operates a Portland office in addition to its Ellsworth headquarters. It maintains membership in the Council on Foundations and the Maine Philanthropy Center. In February 2024 the foundation presented portfolio performance and ESG integration details during an Investment Program Review Webinar. Maine Community Foundation structures its investment program through an external advisor relationship with Monticello Associates and manager Boston Trust Walden while retaining authority over mission-related screens and local direct investments.