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John T. Gorman Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.0M
Decision Time
2mo

John T. Gorman Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1.5 million (DSGP) + Strategic Investments (invitation-only)
  • Total Assets: $200 million (2019)
  • Success Rate: Competitive (79 grants awarded from record number of applications in 2024)
  • Decision Time: 7 weeks from application deadline
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $30,000 (DSGP)
  • Geographic Focus: Maine only

Contact Details

Address: One Canal Plaza, Suite 800, Portland, ME 04101
Website: https://www.jtgfoundation.org/
Email: info@jtgfoundation.org
General Inquiries: Contact for brief proposal descriptions aligned with strategic focus

Overview

Founded in 1995 by John Thomas (Tom) Gorman, grandson of L.L. Bean, the John T. Gorman Foundation received transformational growth when Gorman passed away in 2010, leaving a significant gift to expand its impact. With assets of $200 million, it ranks as Maine's third-largest charitable organization. The Foundation's mission is to make Maine a more equitable place where all children and families can thrive, particularly those experiencing poverty. The Foundation uses a two-generation approach that simultaneously serves children and their caregivers to prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and improve family wellbeing. Recent recognition includes a national award for their public-philanthropic partnership work in Lewiston. Led by President & CEO Nicole Witherbee since February 2022, the Foundation focuses on upstream prevention and evidence-based strategies that can be scaled through policy changes and expanded programming.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Direct Services Grant Program (DSGP) - Annual open application

  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $30,000
  • Total Annual Distribution: $1.5 million (2024: 79 grants awarded)
  • Application Method: Online portal, fixed deadline (one-month window, typically late February - late March)
  • Types: Program/project funding and general operating support (general operating limited to organizations whose sole mission is serving Maine residents experiencing poverty)
  • Focus: Supports nonprofits providing immediate basic needs services to Mainers experiencing poverty

Strategic Investments - Invitation-only

  • Comprehensive strategies and initiatives improving well-being and resiliency of Maine children
  • Grantees must demonstrate capacity for whole-family or two-generation approaches
  • Focus on preventing ACEs and improving family wellbeing in five key areas: education, social capital, physical/mental health, wealth and assets, employment navigation and supports
  • Organizations may contact info@jtgfoundation.org with brief proposal descriptions aligned with strategic focus

Youth Mental Health & Development - Discretionary

  • Recent example: Five grants totaling $450,000 to help community providers and rural schools build partnerships for student enrichment and mental health support

Priority Areas

Direct Services (DSGP-eligible):

  • Food security programs
  • Housing and shelter services
  • Healthcare (physical and mental health)
  • Clothing assistance
  • Transportation services
  • English language classes
  • Domestic violence and sexual assault support
  • Case management services
  • Legal aid (particularly for elders)
  • Refugee and immigrant services

Strategic Focus:

  • Two-generation approaches serving children and caregivers simultaneously
  • ACEs prevention and resilience building
  • Programs strengthening families in five domains: education, employment, social capital, physical/mental health, wealth and asset development
  • Evidence-based interventions designed for testing, evaluation, and scaling
  • Upstream prevention addressing root causes
  • Whole-family support systems

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations outside of Maine
  • Unsolicited proposals for Strategic Investments (though brief inquiries welcomed)
  • General operating support for organizations not solely focused on serving people experiencing poverty (DSGP program only)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

  • Shawn O. Gorman - Chairman of the Board (also serves on Board of Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Trust)
  • Maggie Christie Keohan
  • Anne Dinsmore
  • Martha ("Meg") Greene
  • Rebecca Hatfield
  • Maura Mathy
  • John B. ("JB") Sullivan

Investment Committee

  • Geoffrey Swift (Chair) - Vice President for Finance & Administration, Treasurer, Bates College
  • Maggie Christie Keohan - Region Head, Private Wealth Management, Goldman Sachs & Co.
  • Jim Geary - Financial Director, Albert B. Glickman Family Foundation
  • Heather Myers - Partner, Non-Profit Practice Leader, Aon
  • J.B. Sullivan - Principal & CEO, Portland Global Advisors, LLC
  • Nicole Witherbee - President & CEO, John T. Gorman Foundation

Senior Staff

  • Nicole Witherbee - President & CEO (appointed February 2022, previously Chief Program Officer)
  • Michael Bevilacqua - CFO & Chief Operating Officer
  • Jennifer Beck - Vice President, Programs
  • Andrew Colvin - Communications Director
  • Leigh Arsenault - Senior Program Associate
  • Jean Cousins - Senior Program Associate
  • Jessica Drescher - Senior Research Associate
  • James Patefield - Grants and Data Associate
  • Jennifer Rice - Executive Assistant

Leadership Philosophy: President & CEO Nicole Witherbee emphasizes accessibility, noting in an interview that "you don't have to be in a position of power to reach somebody in power" in Maine. She encourages direct outreach: "if you need to collaborate on something, if you need advice or if you need help - there is always someone there." However, she cautions that "everybody knows everyone, and so you have to be respectful of people" in Maine's close-knit professional community.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Direct Services Grant Program (DSGP):

  1. Applications accepted during one-month window (typically late February - late March)
  2. Submit through online portal at jtgfoundation.org
  3. Application deadline: 5:00 PM EST on final day
  4. Submit a strong, focused application clearly demonstrating impact, organizational capacity, and alignment with Foundation priorities
  5. Ensure all materials are complete before deadline

For Strategic Investments: There is no public application process. Strategic investments are primarily invitation-only. However, organizations with ideas aligned with the Foundation's strategic focus are welcome to contact info@jtgfoundation.org with:

  • Brief description of the proposal
  • Issue being addressed
  • Approach and rationale
  • Cost of implementation

Decision Timeline

DSGP Timeline:

  • Application period: One month (e.g., February 24 - March 24)
  • Decision notifications: Approximately 7 weeks after deadline (mid to late April for spring applications)
  • Grant period: Typically annual grants

Success Rates

The Foundation received a "record number of applications" for the 2024 DSGP and awarded 79 grants totaling $1.5 million. By comparison, the 2022 DSGP awarded 90 grants totaling $1.5 million. While exact success rates are not publicly disclosed, the competitive nature of the program is evident from the high volume of applications relative to awards.

Approximately half of DSGP grants consistently support organizations addressing food insecurity and housing needs, indicating strong demand in these areas.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not publicly disclose specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations are encouraged to contact the Foundation directly for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

Upstream Prevention Philosophy: The Foundation explicitly prioritizes "addressing issues before they escalate" as more effective and less costly than later remediation. Applications should demonstrate preventive approaches rather than reactive crisis intervention alone.

Evidence-Based and Scalable: The Foundation funds "strategies explicitly designed to test and evaluate promising practices" with the goal that success leads to "broader implementation through policy changes and expanded programming." Show how your work contributes to knowledge that benefits the broader Maine ecosystem.

Two-Generation Thinking: Even for DSGP applications focused on direct services, demonstrating awareness of how your work supports both children and caregivers simultaneously aligns with the Foundation's core philosophy. Applications serving entire families are particularly valued.

Systemic Approach: Effective partners "address root causes rather than symptoms alone" and serve "vulnerable Maine families systematically." Avoid framing work as one-time interventions; show sustained, systemic impact.

Measurable Impact: The Foundation looks for "measurable, testable interventions" and organizations that can clearly demonstrate capacity and outcomes.

Recent Funding Patterns (2024 DSGP Recipients)

The Foundation funded a diverse range of organizations across all 16 Maine counties:

  • Food security organizations (e.g., Piscataquis Regional Food Center: $30,000; Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry: $20,000)
  • Homeless shelters and housing services (e.g., Preble Street: $30,000; Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter: $30,000)
  • Health services (e.g., Community Dental: $20,000; Penobscot Community Health Care: $25,000)
  • Domestic violence and sexual assault support (e.g., Safe Voices: $30,000; Next Step Domestic Violence Project: $20,000)
  • Immigrant and refugee services (e.g., Maine Association for New Americans: $25,000; New England Arab American Organization: $25,000)
  • Elder services (e.g., Eastern Area Agency on Aging: $25,000; Legal Services for Maine Elders: $20,000)
  • Rural community support across multiple counties

Grant Amount Distribution: Awards ranged from $5,000 (Promise Early Education Center, The Drop-in Center, Ifka Community Services) to $30,000 (multiple organizations including Community Care, Homeless Services of Aroostook, Maine Seacoast Mission, Preble Street, Safe Voices). The median grant appears to be around $20,000.

Maine-Specific Context

Given President Witherbee's emphasis on Maine's accessible professional community, organizations should not hesitate to reach out directly for guidance or collaboration. Building relationships through Maine's nonprofit networks (Maine Association of Nonprofits, Maine Philanthropy Center) can be valuable, as "everybody knows everyone" in the state's philanthropic sector.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Focus on prevention over intervention: Frame your work as addressing root causes and building resilience, not just responding to crises after they occur
  • Demonstrate whole-family impact: Even if serving specific populations, show awareness of how your work affects entire family systems and consider two-generation frameworks
  • Be evidence-based and scalable: Articulate how your approach can be measured, tested, and potentially expanded to benefit more Mainers
  • Emphasize systemic change: Show how your organization serves vulnerable families systematically and contributes to broader knowledge in Maine's social services ecosystem
  • Submit complete applications on time: The one-month DSGP window closes at 5:00 PM EST sharp - ensure all materials demonstrate impact, organizational capacity, and clear alignment with Foundation priorities
  • Don't hesitate to reach out: For Strategic Investments or general guidance, Maine's accessible culture means direct contact with info@jtgfoundation.org is welcomed for aligned proposals
  • Geographic distribution matters: The Foundation funded organizations across all 16 Maine counties in 2024, showing commitment to rural and urban communities alike

References

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