Harold Alfond Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $76.7 million (2023)
Total Assets: $818.4 million
Decision Time: Not currently accepting applications (check back mid-2026)
Grant Range: $150 - $10 million (typical large-scale grants $5M - $240M)
Geographic Focus: Primarily Maine (89% of funds)
Application Method: Invitation only / no public process (temporarily closed)

Contact Details

Address: Two Monument Square, Portland, ME 04101
Phone: 207-828-7999
Email: info@haroldalfondfoundation.org
Website: https://www.haroldalfondfoundation.org

Overview

Founded in 1950 by Harold Alfond (founder of Dexter Shoe Company) and his wife, the Harold Alfond Foundation is Maine's largest private foundation, with assets of $818.4 million. Since 2007, the foundation has distributed over $1.2 billion in grants, including a historic $500 million commitment announced in 2020. From 2020-2024 alone, the foundation awarded over $850 million in new grants. The foundation operates as a private trust governed by a Board of Trustees including several Alfond family members and business leaders. In October 2024, the foundation received the New England Higher Education Excellence Award from the New England Board of Higher Education for its profound impact on generations of Maine students. The foundation pioneered the use of matching challenge grants to "build community partnerships and inspire additional giving," a strategy that continues to define its grantmaking approach with emphasis on large-scale, transformative projects that create enduring contributions to Maine's economy and quality of life.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation focuses exclusively on Maine-based initiatives through three funding areas:

Education

Grants promote access to and improve the quality of higher education
Recent examples: $240 million to University of Maine System (largest ever to a New England public institution), $75.5 million to Maine Community College System for workforce training (2024)
Support for academic programs, infrastructure, scholarships, and innovative workforce development

Health Care

Grants improve health care delivery and quality, promote centers of excellence, and advance education for future health care professionals
Recent examples: University of New England medical/health sciences campus development, Jackson Laboratory support

Youth & Community Development

Grants support young people's development and community infrastructure
Recent examples: Waterville Creates!, FocusMaine ($6.9M in 2024), various community colleges

Priority Areas

The foundation explicitly prioritizes projects that demonstrate:

Large-scale impact: Preference for transformative, multi-million dollar investments
Strong entrepreneurial leadership: Bold leaders and creative problem-solvers
Documented community need: Clear business plans with measurable outcomes
Financial sustainability: Financially viable long-term operations
Collaboration: Teamwork within and across organizations; matching fund commitments
Institutional strength: Supporting established anchor organizations
Competitive approach: Promoting "healthy competition" and supporting the "underdog"
Shared investment: Partners must have "skin in the game" with co-investment or matching funds

What They Don't Fund

Individuals
Religious organizations pursuing religious purposes
Nascent (new/startup) organizations
Event sponsorships
Political campaigns or advocacy
Legislative lobbying
Programs benefiting non-U.S. populations
Private foundations
Organizations outside Maine (with rare exceptions in Massachusetts and Florida)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Gregory W. Powell (Chairman) - CEO and President of Dexter Enterprises LLC; former litigation attorney; appointed to board 1996, chairman since 2005. Powell has stated about Harold Alfond: "Harold Alfond's commitment to competitiveness on the playing field and performance in the classroom is well known."

Family Members:

Theodore B. Alfond - Harold's son; Chairman of Dexter Enterprises LLC; former EVP for sales at Dexter Shoe Company; limited partner in Boston Red Sox
William L. Alfond - Harold's son; former president of Dexter's bowling shoe division; co-founded Bill and Joan Alfond Family Foundation
Peter H. Lunder - Harold's nephew; former co-chairman, president, and CEO of Dexter Shoe Company
Katharine B. Alfond - Harold's granddaughter; director of Dexter Enterprises LLC
Justin L. Alfond - Harold's grandson; former Maine State Senate President; co-founded Full Plates, Full Potential nonprofit
Jennifer A. Seeman - Harold's granddaughter; founded Arts2You
Kenden Alfond - Harold's granddaughter; psychotherapist and leadership coach

Independent Trustees:

Theresa M. Stone - Former MIT Executive Vice President and Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer)
Barry Mills - Former Bowdoin College President (14 years); corporate law and finance expert
Steven P. Akin - Retired from Fidelity Investments as President of Personal Investments
Michael E. Dubyak - Former WEX Inc. Chairman and CEO; co-chair of FocusMaine

Foundation Staff

Administered by Dexter Enterprises LLC:

Gregory W. Powell - CEO and President
Travis Cummings - Executive Vice President and Treasurer (oversees foundation operations)
Alison Leonard - Secretary and General Counsel
Michael LeVert - Director of Evaluation and Impact
Ryan Fitzsimmons - Grant Officer
Allison Holton - Grant Officer

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Harold Alfond Foundation does not currently have a public application process. The foundation announced on its website that it is "not welcoming new grant applications at this time" due to significant existing commitments to large-scale projects across Maine.

Organizations interested in future funding should check back in mid-2026 for updated guidance on whether the foundation will resume accepting new proposals.

The foundation makes grants through:

Trustee-identified initiatives: Board members identify and approach organizations aligned with strategic priorities
Invitation only: Selected organizations are invited to submit proposals
Strategic partnerships: Multi-year commitments to major institutional partners

Before any future contact, organizations must review the Guidelines & Eligibility page to ensure alignment with the foundation's priorities.

Required eligibility:

Must be a 501(c)(3) public charity or qualifying tax-exempt organization
Must serve Maine populations primarily
Must be an established organization (not nascent/startup)

Decision Timeline

Not applicable while applications are closed. Historically, the foundation makes major announcements periodically rather than on a regular grant cycle. Major grant packages have been announced every few years (e.g., $500M in 2020, $75.5M in 2024).

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. In 2023, the foundation made 50 grants totaling $76.7 million, indicating highly selective grantmaking focused on fewer, larger awards.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given current closed application process.

Application Success Factors

While applications are not currently accepted, the foundation's documented preferences and funded projects reveal critical success factors:

Scale and Ambition The foundation explicitly states: "we look to find new and bold opportunities, where our investments can make a difference." Recent grants range from $5 million to $240 million, demonstrating preference for transformative projects over modest requests.

Matching Funds Requirement The foundation consistently requires partners to "have skin in the game." Greg Powell has noted the foundation challenges "partners and state government to join us in this effort," with all major grantees committing to contribute their own funds or raise matching funds. The University of Maine System, for example, must leverage the foundation's $240 million to secure an additional $170 million in matching funds.

Institutional Strength The foundation prioritizes "strengthening existing anchor organizations" rather than supporting new organizations. Recent grants have gone to established institutions: university systems, community colleges, major medical centers, and long-standing nonprofits.

Workforce Development Focus Recent major grants emphasize workforce training and economic development. The $75.5 million to community colleges specifically targets short-term workforce training programs. Greg Powell stated about Husson University: "Husson is an agile institution that consistently examines how it can best meet ever-changing workplace demands."

Measurable Business Plans The foundation requires "clear and measurable business plan[s]" demonstrating documented needs and quantifiable outcomes. Projects must show financial viability and long-term sustainability.

Collaborative Approach The foundation values "teamwork and partnership" both within organizations and across sectors. Projects should demonstrate how they build community partnerships and inspire additional giving beyond the foundation's investment.

Examples of Funded Projects:

University of Maine System: Engineering college, graduate facility, scholarships, athletics ($240M)
Maine Community College System: Free short-term workforce training programs ($75.5M)
University of New England: Unified health sciences campus for medical, nursing, dental, pharmacy students
Roux Institute at Northeastern University: Innovation and workforce development
Jackson Laboratory: Life sciences research
FocusMaine: Industry sector development ($6.9M in 2024)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Not currently accepting applications - Check back mid-2026 for updated guidance on whether applications will reopen
Think big and transformational - The foundation prefers large-scale projects ($5M+) that create lasting impact on Maine's economy and institutions
Matching funds are essential - Expect to demonstrate substantial co-investment from your organization, partners, or other funders; the foundation leverages its grants to inspire additional giving
Institutional credibility matters - Established organizations with strong leadership, proven track records, and financial stability are strongly preferred over new or nascent organizations
Focus on workforce and economic development - Recent grants heavily emphasize preparing Maine's workforce and supporting economic growth, particularly in education and healthcare sectors
Build relationships before opportunities arise - Since the foundation operates invitation-only, maintaining visibility with board members (many involved in Maine business and education communities) and demonstrating alignment with foundation values over time is crucial
Demonstrate measurable outcomes - Prepare clear business plans with quantifiable impacts and long-term financial sustainability
Maine-focused only - With rare exceptions, the foundation exclusively supports Maine-based organizations serving Maine populations

References

Harold Alfond Foundation official website - About the Foundation. https://www.haroldalfondfoundation.org/about-the-foundation/ (Accessed December 2024)
Harold Alfond Foundation - Grant Seekers page. https://www.haroldalfondfoundation.org/grant-seekers/ (Accessed December 2024)
Harold Alfond Foundation - Guidelines & Eligibility. https://www.haroldalfondfoundation.org/grant-seekers/guidelines-eligibility/ (Accessed December 2024)
Harold Alfond Foundation - Application Process. https://www.haroldalfondfoundation.org/grant-seekers/application-process/ (Accessed December 2024)
Harold Alfond Foundation - Board of Trustees. https://www.haroldalfondfoundation.org/about-the-foundation/board-of-trustees/ (Accessed December 2024)
Harold Alfond Foundation - Foundation Staff. https://www.haroldalfondfoundation.org/about-the-foundation/foundation-staff/ (Accessed December 2024)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Harold Alfond Foundation (EIN 22-3281672). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/223281672 (Accessed December 2024)
Instrumentl - Harold Alfond Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/harold-alfond-foundation (Accessed December 2024)
Philanthropy News Digest - "Harold Alfond Foundation announces $500 million in grants" (October 2020). https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/harold-alfond-foundation-announces-500-million-in-grants
PR Newswire - "Harold Alfond Foundation Invests $500 Million in Maine and its People" (October 6, 2020). https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/harold-alfond-foundation-invests-500-million-in-maine-and-its-people-301146800.html
Maine Community College System - "Harold Alfond Foundation Investing $75 Million in Maine's Community Colleges" (June 2024). https://www.mccs.me.edu/press_release/harold-alfond-foundation-investing-75-million-in-maines-community-colleges-largest-grant-in-mccs-history/
University of Maine - "New England Board of Higher Education honors Harold Alfond Foundation" (October 23, 2024). https://www.maine.edu/blog/2024/10/23/new-england-board-of-higher-education-honors-harold-alfond-foundation/
New England Board of Higher Education - "Press Release: New England Board of Higher Education Honors Harold Alfond Foundation" (October 2024). https://nebhe.org/nebhe-honors-alfond-foundation/
Mainebiz - "Details emerge on use of $500M in grants from Harold Alfond Foundation" (2020). https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/details-emerge-on-use-of-500m-in-grants-from-harold-alfond-foundation
Wikipedia - Harold Alfond biography. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Alfond (Accessed December 2024)
Cause IQ - Harold Alfond Foundation profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/harold-alfond-foundation,223281672/ (Accessed December 2024)
Inside Philanthropy - Harold Alfond Foundation funder profile. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-a/harold-alfond-foundation (Accessed December 2024)