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Elliotsville Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$0.1M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.0M

Elliotsville Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $92,926 (2023 grants)
  • Success Rate: N/A - invitation only
  • Decision Time: N/A - no public process
  • Grant Range: $500 - $1,000,000 (historical)
  • Geographic Focus: Maine (primarily Katahdin region)

Contact Details

Overview

Founded in 2002 by Roxanne Quimby (co-founder of Burt's Bees), the Elliotsville Foundation is a private operating foundation with assets of $24.9 million dedicated to advancing environmental justice and community-based economic development in Maine. The foundation operates as both a land conservation organization managing over 125,000 acres and a strategic grant maker, having awarded $92,926 across 13 grants in 2023. Most notably, the foundation donated 87,000 acres in 2016 to create the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, one of the largest land donations in National Park history. Under the leadership of Lucas St. Clair since 2011, the foundation focuses on direct conservation work while making targeted grants to partner organizations supporting its mission.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate traditional grant programs with published guidelines. Grants are made strategically to support:

  • Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument infrastructure and programs
  • Trail development and outdoor recreation initiatives
  • Environmental education and stewardship programs
  • Community economic development in northern Maine

Priority Areas

  • Land conservation and habitat protection
  • National Monument promotion and visitor experience enhancement
  • Outdoor recreation infrastructure development
  • Environmental justice including Wabanaki cultural programming
  • Community-based economic development in rural Maine

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's giving patterns indicate they do not fund:

  • Projects outside Maine
  • General operating support for unrelated organizations
  • Individual assistance
  • Programs unrelated to conservation or the Katahdin region

Governance and Leadership

Lucas St. Clair - President & Executive Director (since 2011)

  • Chair of the National Board of the Trust for Public Land
  • Board member of Maine Conservation Voters and Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters
  • Led the campaign to establish Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

Roxanne Quimby - Founder & Director

  • Co-founded Burt's Bees (sold 2007)
  • Created both Elliotsville Foundation and Quimby Family Foundation
  • Pioneer in Maine land conservation

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion to organizations already partnering with the foundation on conservation initiatives, particularly those supporting Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and related programs.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's partnership patterns and leadership involvement:

  • The foundation actively collaborates with Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters - organizations can engage through this partner network
  • Lucas St. Clair serves on multiple conservation boards including Maine Conservation Voters and Northern Forest Center - these venues provide networking opportunities
  • The foundation participates in the Tekαkαpimək Contact Station campaign committees where potential partners can connect
  • They work closely with the National Park Service and National Park Foundation on Monument-related projects
  • The foundation has shown openness to partnerships that advance indigenous land returns through the First Light Coalition

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made strategically throughout the year based on project needs and partnerships.

Success Rates

Not available - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented grant patterns and partnerships:

  • Organizations already working in the Katahdin Woods and Waters region have the strongest alignment
  • The foundation prioritizes projects that directly support the National Monument's development and visitor experience
  • Successful partners include established conservation organizations with proven track records in Maine
  • The foundation values collaborative approaches - many grants support joint initiatives with other funders
  • Projects that combine conservation with economic development for rural Maine communities align with stated priorities
  • The foundation has demonstrated commitment to environmental justice through partnerships supporting Wabanaki communities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is not a foundation for unsolicited proposals - relationship building through existing partner organizations is essential
  • Organizations seeking environmental grants in Maine should apply to the Quimby Family Foundation instead, which has an open application process
  • The foundation operates more like a conservation organization that makes strategic grants than a traditional grant maker
  • Partnership opportunities exist through engagement with Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument initiatives
  • The foundation's grants typically support implementation of its own conservation vision rather than independent projects
  • Multi-year, multi-million dollar commitments are possible for major infrastructure projects aligned with the foundation's mission

References

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