The Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust

The Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust is a US private foundation based in Portland, ME.

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The Trust supports nonprofit organisations and projects throughout Maine that align with its arts, culture, historic preservation or environmental programmes. It welcomes operating or project proposals for local, regional or statewide benefit. Its arts and culture interests include community arts and cultural programmes, cultural facility improvements, historic preservation and celebrating Maine’s diverse cultural heritage. Its environmental work centres on protecting ecological values, water quality and ecosystem health through land conservation, stewardship, restoration and education. Across its programmes, community connection is paramount; it gives preference to equitable access for Maine residents, including rural areas, and community representation, collaboration and stronger connections between people and place.

Themes

• Arts and culture
• Historic preservation
• Cultural heritage
• Land conservation
• Water quality
• Environmental education
• Ecological health

Geographic Focus

Maine.

What They Don't Fund

• Endowments or annual campaigns
• Internships and scholarships
• National or regional organizations based outside of Maine, except in cases where a project is being conducted entirely within the state
• Organizations that are primarily social service providers - unless the request emphasizes arts, culture or environment with dedicated staffing or partnership
• Trade schools, school districts – we prefer to fund through nonprofits that develop partnerships with schools
• Summer-only festivals and artist residencies – unless tied to year-round community programming
• Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation only: summer festivals or artist residencies unless it includes year-round Maine-based programming and community engagement

Applicants apply through the online grant portal during the annual window. First-time users create an account for their organisation before completing an application.

Deadlines: The annual application window runs from June 1 to October 1, closing on October 1.

What the foundation says:

• New applicants and organisations without a grant in the previous three years are asked to call or email before applying to confirm that their request aligns with the Trust’s priorities.
• The Trust prefers equitable access for Maine residents, including rural areas, and community representation in programme design and delivery.
• It favours expanded collaboration and vibrancy through programme activities.
• It values responsiveness to new voices and the less visible histories of Maine.
• It favours proposals that deepen connections between people and place.
• Project requests should set out clear goals, partnerships, timelines and outcomes.
• For arts and cultural work, preference goes to year-round education and programming that leverages local relationships and collaboration rather than one-time experiences.
• Historic preservation projects are prioritised when they provide community cultural space and address urgent needs with matching funds.
• Environmental work prioritises community-based approaches that promote positive human relationships with nature.