Horizon Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- Horizon Foundation says it works by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold application is unlikely to get a hearing.
- Its filings also say it encourages collaboration with other grant makers and may arrange site visits, so building contact first is the sensible route.
- Only organisations based in or primarily serving one of the counties listed under its geographic focus should approach it, and it does not fund colleges and universities, public and private schools, health or mental health programmes, religious projects, state agencies, individuals, emergency requests, international programmes, or annual, building, capital or endowment fund drives.
- Half of its 300 grants to organisations were $12,000 or less, so a modest request fits its usual pattern; its stated range is $5,000 to $20,000, though one award of $40,000 sits above that maximum, so treat the typical band as a guide rather than a ceiling.
- Because 58% of its grant dollars in its most recent filing went to organisations it had funded in earlier filings, it leans towards repeat giving, so a first grant may be the start of a relationship, and grantees should expect a final report about a year after a grant and possibly an interim update.
Overview
Horizon Foundation is a US private foundation based in Rockport, MA.
What they fund
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
Horizon Foundation supports non-profit organisations that aspire to create and maintain sustainable, vibrant and resilient communities. It aligns giving with trustees’ geographic and programme interests, and applicants must be based in or primarily serve specified counties across Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire and New Jersey. Its mission encompasses helping children and adults lead their communities, environmental stewardship, conserving land and water, service to others, visual arts and music, and preserving historic assets. In Maine it supports organisations serving children, arts, enrichment, education and leadership development, and food security and assistance for vulnerable people. Outside Maine it particularly focuses on learning, self-esteem, educational proficiency and safe places where children can learn, share and become stronger leaders.
Themes
- Community leadership
- Environmental stewardship
- Land and water conservation
- Service to others
- Visual arts and music
- Historic preservation
Geographic Focus
Fairfield County; Martin County; Palm Beach County; Blaine County; Cumberland County; Lincoln County; Franklin County; York County; Barnstable County; Gallatin County; Rockingham County; Mercer County.
What They Don't Fund
- Annual, building, capital, or endowment fund drives
- Colleges and universities
- Emergency requests
- Health/mental health programs
- Individuals
- International or foreign programs
- Public and private schools
- Religious projects
- State agencies
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the Foundation’s online system.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 58% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 300 grants to organisations were $12,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The Foundation encourages collaborative efforts with other grant makers.
- The Foundation may arrange a site visit to meet applicants and see their work in action.
- Final reports are generally due one year after a grant; the Foundation may request an interim update.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 8%
- The largest single recipient received 2% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 58% of grant dollars went to organisations Horizon Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- <1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 110 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $10,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Nature Conservancy · The Nature Conservancy in Idaho$20,0002024 tax year
- 3S Artspace · General Support$20,0002024 tax year
- Portland Community Squash · General Support$20,0002024 tax year
- Carver Foundation of Norwalk Connecticut · General Support$20,0002024 tax year
- Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust · General Support$20,0002024 tax year
- ProsperityME · General Support$20,0002024 tax year
- Kieve Wavus Education · General Support$20,0002024 tax year
- Banner Lake Club · General Support$20,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Johnny P Ritzo — Vice President / Secretary
- Callie Buck — Treasurer / Director
- Sarah M Buck — Co-President / Director
- Nancy B Buck — Co-President / Director
- John A Ogden — Director
- Norman Harrison Buck — Director
- Anne E Buck — Director
- Alexander K Buck III — Director (start 11/2024)
- Alexander K Buck Jr — Director
- Margaret B Chadbourne — Assistant Treasurer / Executive Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $1,486,427 | $1,215,000 | $26,791,548 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $1,467,435 | $1,184,554 | $30,030,083 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,615,853 | $1,335,013 | $32,023,639 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
Spotted something that needs correcting? Let us know
At a glance
Applying to Horizon Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (207) 773-5101
- info@horizonfoundation.org
- Rockport, MA
- horizonfoundation.org
Applying to Horizon Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (207) 773-5101
- info@horizonfoundation.org
- Rockport, MA
- horizonfoundation.org