Francis T & Louise T Nichols Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2.91 million (2024)
• Total Assets: $20.8 million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Application deadline December 1st (specific decision timeline not publicly disclosed)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Maine and Vermont (priorities)

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 1210, Bangor, ME 04402

Phone: 207-947-0111

Contact Person: Calvin E. True, Trustee

Website: Not available

Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Francis T & Louise T Nichols Foundation is a private non-operating foundation established in 1994 in Maine, receiving 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in May 1995. With total assets of $20.8 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed $2.91 million in charitable disbursements that year, primarily supporting organizations in the areas of education, health care, and human services. The foundation's giving is concentrated in Maine and Vermont, reflecting a commitment to supporting nonprofit organizations within these two New England states. As a private foundation, it operates without paid officers, with governance provided by a board of trustees. The foundation's revenue primarily comes from investment dividends (96.7% in 2024) with supplemental income from asset sales, allowing it to maintain consistent annual grantmaking in the $2-3 million range.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The Francis T & Louise T Nichols Foundation focuses its grantmaking on three primary areas:

Education: Supporting educational institutions and programs that enhance learning opportunities in Maine and Vermont.

Health Care: Funding health care organizations and initiatives that improve access to medical services and health outcomes in the foundation's priority geographic areas.

Human Services: Supporting nonprofit organizations that provide essential social services and assistance to individuals and families in need.

Geographic Focus

• Primary: Maine (where the foundation is based)
• Secondary: Vermont
• Both states are identified as priorities for the foundation's grantmaking activities

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation focused on Maine and Vermont, organizations outside these two states are unlikely to receive funding. Interested applicants should contact the foundation directly to confirm eligibility for their specific project or organization type.

Governance and Leadership

The Francis T & Louise T Nichols Foundation is governed by a board of trustees with no paid officer positions. Current governance structure includes:

Current Trustees (as of recent filings):

• Susan Thibault
• William Nichols
• Nathaniel S. Putnam

Contact/Administrative Trustee:

• Calvin E. True - An attorney who previously practiced with the Eaton Peabody law firm in Bangor, Maine, specializing in estate planning and probate work. True serves as trustee of several charitable foundations and has been involved with numerous nonprofit organizations including the Maine Community Foundation, Eastern Maine Charities, Bangor Fuel Society, and the Maine Estate Planning Council.

The foundation operates as a private family foundation, with the Nichols family name reflecting the original donors Francis T. and Louise T. Nichols.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Francis T & Louise T Nichols Foundation accepts applications through an open application process. Specific application requirements, forms, and submission methods are not publicly disclosed on accessible databases or websites.

Application Deadline: December 1st (annual deadline)

Organizations interested in applying should contact the foundation directly at:

• Phone: 207-947-0111
• Mail: PO Box 1210, Bangor, ME 04402
• Contact: Calvin E. True, Trustee

It is recommended that prospective applicants call ahead to:

• Confirm current application procedures
• Request any required application forms
• Discuss project eligibility
• Understand specific submission requirements

Decision Timeline

The foundation has an annual application deadline of December 1st. Specific timelines for application review, trustee meetings, funding decisions, and notification of applicants are not publicly disclosed. Applicants should inquire about expected decision timelines when submitting their proposals.

Success Rates

Success rates, including the number of applications received versus grants awarded, are not publicly available. As a private foundation with approximately $2.91 million in annual giving, the foundation likely receives more requests than it can fund.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's policy on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed. Organizations that are not funded should contact the foundation directly to inquire about reapplication procedures and any required waiting periods.

Application Success Factors

Given the limited public information available about the Francis T & Louise T Nichols Foundation's specific funding preferences and application review criteria, organizations seeking funding should consider the following factors:

Geographic Alignment: The foundation explicitly prioritizes Maine and Vermont. Organizations based in or serving populations in these states will have the strongest alignment with the foundation's mission.

Program Area Fit: Projects should clearly fall within one or more of the foundation's three focus areas: education, health care, or human services. Applications should articulate how their work advances outcomes in these sectors.

Established Organizations: As a foundation that supports other nonprofit organizations, having 501(c)(3) status and demonstrated organizational capacity will be important.

Pre-Application Contact: Given the lack of publicly available application guidelines, organizations should strongly consider reaching out to the foundation by phone before submitting a full proposal. This allows applicants to:

• Confirm their project aligns with current funding priorities
• Understand application requirements and format preferences
• Establish initial contact with the trustees
• Ask questions about appropriate funding request amounts

Clear, Concise Proposals: In the absence of specific guidance, proposals should be well-organized, clearly written, and include standard grant application elements such as organizational background, project description, budget, outcomes, and evaluation plans.

Local Impact: With a focus on Maine and Vermont, demonstrating measurable impact on communities within these states will likely strengthen applications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic Requirement: Focus your application on work in Maine or Vermont - these are stated priorities for the foundation's grantmaking.

• Deadline is Firm: Mark December 1st as the annual application deadline and plan to submit well in advance.

• Make Direct Contact: Without a website or published guidelines, calling 207-947-0111 to speak with the foundation before applying is highly recommended to understand current priorities and application procedures.

• Three Focus Areas: Ensure your project clearly aligns with education, health care, or human services - the foundation's three primary funding categories.

• Private Foundation Model: As a private non-operating foundation, expect a more personalized, relationship-based approach to grantmaking compared to larger institutional funders. Building a connection with the trustees may be beneficial.

• Limited Public Information: The absence of detailed public information suggests a more traditional, conservative approach to grantmaking. Professional, straightforward proposals that clearly demonstrate need and impact will be important.

• Sustainable Grantmaking: With consistent assets around $20 million and annual giving of $2-3 million, the foundation appears to be a stable, long-term funder for organizations in its priority areas.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Francis T & Louise T Nichols Foundation (EIN 01-0493311). Financial data from 2024 Form 990-PF filing. Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/10493311 (Accessed November 13, 2025)

2. Charity Navigator Profile - Francis T & Louise T Nichols Foundation. Available at: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/010493311 (Accessed November 13, 2025)

3. Nonprofit Locator - Francis T and Louise T Nichols Foundation in Bangor, Maine. Foundation overview, contact information, and focus areas. Available at: https://nonprofitlocator.org/organizations/me/bangor/010493311-francis-t-and-louise-t-nichols-foundation (Accessed November 13, 2025)

4. Cause IQ - Francis T. and Louise T. Nichols Foundation profile. Available at: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/francis-t-and-louise-t-nichols-foundation,010493311/ (Accessed November 13, 2025)

5. TAG Alliances - True, Calvin E. Lawyer profile in Bangor, Maine. Background on Calvin E. True's role as trustee. Available at: https://www.tagalliances.com/component/mtree/lawyer-profiles/3260-true-calvin-e.html (Accessed November 13, 2025)

6. Candid Foundation Directory - Francis T. and Louise T. Nichols Foundation (requires subscription for full access). Available at: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?collection=grantmakers&key=NICH039 (Accessed November 13, 2025)