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Horizon Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$1.2M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.0M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,184,554 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $32,023,639 (2025)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $20,000
  • Average Grant: $12,500
  • Number of Grants: 91 awards (2024)
  • Decision Time: Approximately 6-8 weeks from invitation
  • Geographic Focus: Maine (Cumberland, Lincoln, Franklin, York counties), Massachusetts (Barnstable County), and other select locations
  • Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 816, Rockport, MA 01966-0916

Phone: 978-675-5359 (also listed: 207-773-5101)

Email: info@horizonfoundation.org

Website: horizonfoundation.org

Overview

The Horizon Foundation is a family foundation established in 1997 and based in Rockport, Massachusetts. With total assets exceeding $32 million and annual giving of approximately $1.2 million, the foundation supports nonprofits that "aspire to create and maintain sustainable, vibrant and resilient communities." The foundation's grantmaking is aligned with the geographic and programmatic interests of its trustees, focusing on communities where trustees live and work. Under the leadership of President Alexander "Sandy" Buck, who also serves on the Maine Climate Council, the foundation has become a significant environmental funder with particular emphasis on climate adaptation, renewable energy, and forest conservation. The foundation operates through an invitation-only application process with two grant cycles per year, making approximately 90-100 grants annually.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Horizon Foundation operates two grant cycles per year:

  • Spring Cycle: Decisions made in late May
  • Fall Cycle: Organizations invited in early October; application deadline November 3; decisions made in early December

Grant amounts typically range from $5,000 to $20,000, with an average grant size of $12,500. Some environmental grants have reached $15,000-$20,000 for collaborative climate initiatives.

Priority Areas

Environment & Conservation (Primary Focus)

  • Climate change adaptation and resilience
  • Renewable energy development and proper siting (wind, solar)
  • Forest and farmland conservation
  • Energy efficiency programs
  • Water quality and wildlife habitat protection
  • Environmental education and stewardship

Arts & Music

  • Visual arts programs
  • Music education and performance
  • Cultural enrichment for children and adults

Historic Preservation

  • Protection and restoration of historic assets
  • Teaching appreciation for historic buildings and sites

Community Service

  • Programs that enable children and adults to lead communities in creative, healthy, and thoughtful ways
  • Youth development
  • Service to others

Geographic Focus

Maine: Cumberland, Lincoln, Franklin, and York counties Massachusetts: Barnstable County (Cape Cod) Other states: Select communities in Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, and New Jersey where trustees have connections

What They Don't Fund

The Horizon Foundation does not support:

  • Annual fund drives
  • Building or capital campaigns
  • Endowment fund drives
  • State agencies
  • Health programs
  • Public or private schools
  • Emergency requests

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

  • Margaret B. Chadbourne: Executive Director and Assistant Treasurer (Compensation: $93,250 plus benefits)

Board of Directors

  • Alexander "Sandy" Buck: President - Environmental advocate and member of the Maine Climate Council, longtime champion for Maine's environment and early member of the Environmental Funders Network
  • Multiple Buck family members serve as directors

Alexander Buck has been particularly active in climate and forestry initiatives, stating regarding Maine's forest carbon work: "With the FCCL results, Maine has an even better chance of becoming carbon neutral, or even carbon positive, over the long run."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Horizon Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or letters of inquiry for most grant cycles.

However, the foundation has indicated they leave a small amount of room in their budget for new organizations to introduce their work. Organizations may:

  • Submit a brief letter of introduction via email to info@horizonfoundation.org
  • The foundation is "always interested in learning about new organizations that fit their mission and geographic areas of interest"

All invited applications, grant contracts, and final reports are submitted through the foundation's online system.

Decision Timeline

Spring Cycle:

  • Grant decisions made in late May

Fall Cycle:

  • Early October: Organizations invited to apply receive notification
  • November 3: Application deadline for invited organizations
  • Early December: Grant recipients notified

Decision time from invitation to notification is approximately 6-8 weeks.

Success Rates

The foundation made 91 grants in 2024, 99 grants in 2023, and 105 grants in 2022, with annual giving around $1.2 million. Specific application numbers and success rates are not publicly available due to the invitation-only model.

Reapplication Policy

Past grantees must wait at least two years before reapplying for another grant from the Horizon Foundation.

Application Success Factors

Since Horizon operates on an invitation-only model, success factors focus on alignment with the foundation's mission and building awareness:

Mission Alignment

  • Organizations must demonstrate work that creates "sustainable, vibrant and resilient communities"
  • Environmental groups should emphasize climate adaptation, renewable energy, conservation, or environmental education
  • Projects should clearly benefit one of the foundation's geographic areas of interest

Environmental Priorities

  • The foundation is "deeply interested in renewable energy, forest and farmland, and energy efficiency"
  • Projects addressing climate change adaptation are particularly valued
  • Collaborative approaches are supported (e.g., grants of $15,000-$20,000 to organizations working together on renewable energy siting)
  • Water quality and wildlife habitat protection align with priorities

Geographic Connection

  • Organizations must be based in or primarily serve the specific counties identified by the foundation
  • The foundation funds where trustees "live and work," so demonstrating impact in these communities is essential

Previous Grant Recipients

Environmental: Heritage Plantation of Sandwich, National Marine Life Center, The Nature Conservancy of Massachusetts, Appalachian Mountain Club, Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance

Arts & Culture: Cape Symphony Orchestra, Plimoth Patuxet Museums, Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, Outermost Performing Arts Center

Community Services: Centerville Public Library Association, Cape Cod YMCA, Lawrence Boys & Girls Club, Cranberry Sunset Farm

Example: Free Public Food Program received $15,000 "to help enable communities in Cumberland, Franklin, Lincoln and York Counties to provide free, nutritious food programs for children in the summer."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only model: This is not an open application process. Organizations should send a brief introductory letter if new to the foundation, but must wait to be invited before submitting a full application.

  • Environmental focus is strongest: Climate change, renewable energy, and conservation projects have the best opportunities, particularly in Maine and Massachusetts. President Sandy Buck's role on the Maine Climate Council signals deep commitment to climate work.

  • Geographic specificity matters: Your organization must serve Cumberland, Lincoln, Franklin, or York counties in Maine, or Barnstable County in Massachusetts (or other specific trustee locations) to be eligible.

  • Two-year waiting period: If you've received funding, you cannot reapply for at least two years, so make your project count and maintain excellent relationships.

  • Collaborative approaches valued: The foundation has funded $15,000-$20,000 grants for organizations working together on renewable energy siting and climate initiatives, suggesting collaboration is viewed favorably.

  • Build relationships strategically: Since this is a family foundation with trustee-driven priorities, connecting with the Maine and Massachusetts environmental and conservation communities where trustees are active may increase visibility.

  • Focus on community impact: The foundation seeks projects that help communities become more "sustainable, vibrant and resilient" - frame your work in these terms.

References

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