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Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$1.3M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,252,057 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Highly competitive (specific rate not publicly disclosed)
  • Decision Time: 2-3 months (November review, awards announced before year-end)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $20,000
  • Average Grant: $10,000
  • Geographic Focus: Maine only

Contact Details

Website: www.morton-kelly.org

Mailing Address: PO Box 4510 Portland, Maine 04112

Program Advisor: Lissa Widoff

Secretary: Michael J. Quinlan

  • Phone: (207) 775-7271

Application Portal: Available June 1 - October 1 at www.morton-kelly.org/grant-application-portal/

Overview

The Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust was established in 1988 by Joan Morton Kelly and her mother, Mildred Duncan Morton, to support conservation, preservation, culture, and education throughout Maine. Joan, a 1942 Wellesley College graduate with a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Michigan, helped create the Children's Zoo at the San Diego Zoo and became its superintendent in 1958. The family were long-time summer residents of Higgins Beach in Scarborough, Maine, eventually becoming full-time Maine residents. Inspired by environmental advocate Rachel Carson, Joan became a dedicated environmentalist focused on protecting Higgins Beach and surrounding areas. Since Joan's death in 2012, the Trust's Board of Directors has continued serving as thoughtful stewards of her philanthropic legacy. The Trust's mission is to "connect people and place through the arts, culture and the natural environment." In 2023, the Trust distributed $1,252,057 in grants through 83 awards, averaging $10,000 per grant. The foundation maintains Joan's commitment to impactful philanthropy while honoring her preference for privacy and anonymity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates one annual grant cycle with two primary program areas:

Arts, Culture & Historic Preservation: $5,000 - $20,000

  • Supporting expressions of the diverse cultural heritage of Maine
  • Public programming in Maine's libraries, museums, schools and other institutions
  • Preservation of Maine's distinctive and historic built environment
  • Preservation of material cultural resources
  • Application Method: Online portal, June 1 - October 1 annually

Environmental Initiatives: $5,000 - $20,000

  • Land conservation efforts
  • Programming to foster access, stewardship, education and protection of critical natural resources
  • Environmental education and advocacy
  • Application Method: Online portal, June 1 - October 1 annually

The Trust accepts both project-specific funding and operating support requests. New applicants are encouraged to apply first for project funding before seeking operating support.

Priority Areas

Arts & Culture:

  • Cultural heritage expressions reflecting Maine's diverse communities
  • Public arts programming
  • Historic preservation
  • Museums and cultural institutions
  • Music and performing arts
  • Libraries and educational institutions

Environment:

  • Land conservation
  • Environmental stewardship and education
  • Protection of natural resources
  • Marine and coastal conservation
  • Access to natural spaces

Special Considerations: The Trust shows strong preference for organizations demonstrating:

  • Equitable access for Maine residents
  • Community involvement in program design
  • Collaborative programming approaches
  • Responsiveness to diverse and underrepresented Maine histories
  • Support for Wabanaki-led projects (special consideration for consecutive funding)

What They Don't Fund

The Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust explicitly does not fund:

  • Endowments
  • Annual campaigns
  • Political advocacy
  • National organizations operating outside of Maine
  • Organizations providing direct social services
  • Multi-year funding requests
  • Medical service providers or research facilities focused on diseases or conditions
  • Primarily social service providers
  • Grants over $20,000

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • Marilyn LaLumiere, President
  • Douglas Henry, Director
  • Janet Henry, Director (retired President of Maine Philanthropy Center)
  • Tyler Kidder, Director
  • Erik C. Jorgensen, Director
  • Michael Quinlan, Secretary

In Memoriam: Merton Henry (1926-2018)

Program Staff:

  • Lissa Widoff, Program Advisor - Primary contact for applicant questions

The board has demonstrated commitment to continuing Joan Morton Kelly's philanthropic legacy, as stated on their website: "Since Joan's death in 2012, the Directors of the Trust have been committed to serving as thoughtful stewards of this philanthropic legacy." The board emphasizes Joan's dedication to maintaining privacy and anonymity while making significant impact through her giving, reflecting a philosophy of quiet but meaningful philanthropy that continues to guide the Trust's approach.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Pre-Application Requirements:

  • New applicants or organizations that have not received a grant in the last 3 years must contact the Trust before submitting an application
  • Contact Lissa Widoff, Program Advisor, at (207) 322-6553 or programs@morton-kelly.org

Application Process:

  1. Create an online account at www.morton-kelly.org (first-time users)
  2. Access the online grant application portal between June 1 and October 1
  3. Complete the application (system allows saving drafts before final submission)
  4. Submit by midnight on October 1 (no extensions granted)
  5. Receive email acknowledgment upon receipt

Application Period: June 1 - October 1 annually

  • Portal opens June 1
  • Deadline: Midnight on October 1
  • Important: "The application period closes at midnight on October 1 and we are not able to grant extensions"

Grant Parameters:

  • Maximum request: $20,000 for one year
  • Minimum: $5,000
  • Both operating support and project-specific funding accepted
  • No multi-year grants (with few exceptions)

Decision Timeline

Review Process:

  • Board reviews all requests in November
  • Awards announced before the end of December
  • Total timeline: Approximately 2-3 months from deadline to decision

Notification Method: Email notification to all applicants

Success Rates

The Trust describes the grant cycle as "highly competitive," stating that they "generally receive many more proposals than our resources can fund" and expect 2025 to be "another highly competitive grant cycle." With approximately 83 awards made in 2022 from an annual budget of over $1 million, the Trust maintains selective grantmaking. While specific application numbers are not publicly disclosed, the repeated emphasis on competitiveness suggests a relatively low acceptance rate. Applicants should ensure strong alignment with program priorities to maximize their chances of success.

Reapplication Policy

Standard Policy:

  • Organizations receiving grants in two consecutive years must take a one-year hiatus before reapplying
  • This restriction ensures broader distribution of resources across Maine's nonprofit community

Special Exception:

  • Recently-funded Wabanaki-led projects are exempt from the two-year consecutive funding restriction (policy subject to annual review)

Unsuccessful Applicants:

  • May reapply in subsequent years without waiting period
  • Encouraged to contact Program Advisor for feedback

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Mission: The Trust emphasizes strong alignment with their core mission to "connect people and place through the arts, culture and the natural environment." Applications should clearly demonstrate how projects advance one or both program areas while serving Maine communities.

Priority Considerations: The Trust shows preference for organizations demonstrating:

  • Equitable access for Maine residents across diverse communities
  • Community involvement in program design and implementation
  • Collaborative programming approaches that leverage partnerships
  • Responsiveness to diverse and underrepresented Maine histories

Strategic Advice:

  • New applicants should apply first for project funding before seeking operating support
  • Organizations unfunded for 3+ years should contact the Trust before applying to discuss fit and approach
  • Strong geographic specificity to Maine is essential - national organizations without clear Maine focus will not be considered
  • Applications should reflect understanding of Joan Morton Kelly's legacy and values, particularly environmental stewardship and cultural preservation

Recent Grant Examples:

Arts & Culture Recipients:

  • Maine Community Music Trust
  • Bangor Symphony Orchestra
  • Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School
  • Center for Maine Contemporary Art
  • Children's Museum and Theater of Maine
  • Chocolate Church Arts Center
  • Cultural Alliance of Maine
  • Eastport Arts Center
  • Greater Portland Landmarks
  • Maine Historical Society
  • Maine Jewish Film Festival
  • Portland Museum of Art
  • Franklin Library (building addition project)

Environmental Recipients:

  • Androscoggin Land Trust
  • Appalachian Mountain Club
  • Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
  • Blue Hill Heritage Trust
  • Downeast Salmon Federation
  • Friends of Casco Bay
  • Friends of Baxter State Park
  • Falmouth Land Trust
  • Lake Stewards of Maine
  • Penobscot Marine Museum

Language and Terminology: Successful applications use language reflecting:

  • Connection between people and place
  • Cultural heritage and diversity
  • Environmental stewardship and conservation
  • Access and equity
  • Community engagement
  • Educational programming

Common Reasons for Rejection:

  • Misalignment with program areas (particularly social services focus)
  • National scope without clear Maine focus
  • Endowment or annual campaign requests
  • Multi-year funding requests
  • Political advocacy components
  • Organizations already funded two consecutive years
  • Requests exceeding $20,000

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Limited window: Mark your calendar for the June 1 - October 1 application period; the Trust is strict about the midnight October 1 deadline with no extensions granted
  • Make contact early: If you're a new applicant or haven't received funding in 3+ years, contact Program Advisor Lissa Widoff (207-322-6553) before applying to discuss your project
  • Start with projects: New applicants should focus on project-specific funding rather than operating support to establish a relationship with the Trust
  • Emphasize equity and community: Clearly demonstrate how your project provides equitable access, involves community in design, and responds to diverse Maine histories
  • Stay within range: Request between $5,000-$20,000; average awards are $10,000, so be realistic about grant size
  • Maine-focused only: The Trust exclusively funds Maine-based work; national organizations without strong Maine presence need not apply
  • Understand the hiatus rule: If you've been funded two consecutive years, you must wait one year before reapplying (except Wabanaki-led projects)
  • Highly competitive: With over $1 million distributed to approximately 83 organizations annually, ensure your application demonstrates exceptional alignment with program priorities and Joan Morton Kelly's legacy of connecting people and place through arts, culture, and the natural environment

References

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