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Evelyn S. and K.E. Barrett Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.6M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,558,901 (2025)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 8-12 weeks
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $80,000
  • Geographic Focus: Initially northern New England, now national and international
  • Application Method: Fixed deadline (March 31)

Contact Details

Website: https://eskebarrettfoundation.org

Email: info@eskebarrettfoundation.org

Location: York, ME

Phone: Not publicly listed

Pre-Application Support: Foundation staff available via email to discuss projects and answer application questions

Overview

Founded in 2007 by Evelyn S. Barrett (1932-2020) and Kenneth E. Barrett (1930-2022), the Evelyn S. and K.E. Barrett Foundation is a private charitable foundation supporting nonprofit organizations that work to improve children's health, safety, and education. Eve and Ken met in the early 1950s while she was a student at Connecticut College for Women and he was a Coast Guard Academy cadet. After marrying in 1953, their shared passion for helping children, combined with Eve's career as a kindergarten teacher, inspired the foundation's creation. The foundation has experienced significant growth, with total assets reaching $33.9 million in 2025, up from $316,858 in 2012. The foundation now supports organizations throughout the United States and internationally, expanding beyond its original focus on northern New England states.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Competitive Grants (Spring Cycle)

  • Open application period: March 1-31 annually
  • Grant range: Historically $2,500 - $20,000
  • Recent grants have reached $80,000 (two-year grant to Children's Museum of NH)
  • Decisions announced by end of June
  • Single-year and multi-year grants available
  • Grantees must submit progress reports 6-8 months after receiving funding

Foundation-Initiated Grants (Fall Cycle)

  • By invitation only
  • Typically larger in size than competitive grants
  • May include multi-year commitments
  • Applications accepted only at trustee invitation

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses exclusively on supporting children up to age 18 in three key areas:

Health and Wellness

  • Pediatric healthcare support
  • Physical and emotional health needs
  • Healthcare access programs
  • Example: $75,000 to MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children's Hospital (2025) to fund Childhood Support Specialist positions

Education

  • Early literacy programs
  • School-based initiatives
  • Educational facility improvements
  • Example: $20,000 to Maine Seacoast Mission (2023) for Children's Backpack and Summer Literacy Programs

Human Services (Food, Water, and Shelter)

  • Food security programs
  • Basic needs assistance
  • Family support services
  • Programs addressing social barriers to health

The foundation supports projects ranging from start-up/pilot programs to renewal of existing programs and is open to both United States-based and international organizations.

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Endowments
  • Political campaigns
  • Organizations that discriminate

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a 7-member Board of Trustees representing diverse professional backgrounds including education, law, healthcare, finance, and business management:

  • Peter W. Barrett - Executive Director & Trustee (Retired Technology Sales Executive)
  • Charles B. Doleac - Senior Partner at a law firm
  • Richard G. Kaiser - Retired Vice President and Senior Trust Officer
  • Jessica E. Minott - High School French Teacher
  • Sandra Allaire - Assistant Superintendent of Schools
  • Brent G. Herbert - Executive Director at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management
  • Michelle M. Crispo, M.D. - Attending Physician

Peter Barrett has stated about the foundation's work: "We have been impressed with the work that the Children's Museum of New Hampshire has done for children and families in New Hampshire and are pleased to continue supporting their mission."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Competitive Grants (Public Application Process)

  1. Pre-Application Phase

    • Review eligibility and focus areas on foundation website
    • Contact foundation staff at info@eskebarrettfoundation.org to discuss projects or ask questions
    • Recommended for first-time applicants

  2. Application Submission

    • Application period: March 1-31 annually
    • Submit via online application form at eskebarrettfoundation.org
    • Applications received after March 31 will not be considered for that cycle

  3. Required Documentation

    • IRS Determination Letter showing 501(c)(3) status
    • Most recent annual report with financial statements
    • Board of directors list
    • Supplemental documentation supporting funding request

  4. Application Components

    • Organization details and contact information
    • Mission statement (250-word limit)
    • Project/program description (1,000-word limit)
    • Grant amount requested and funding needed date
    • Number of people served and geographical area covered
    • Staff size and volunteer percentage
    • Annual operating budget
    • Future funding plans
    • Previous Barrett Foundation grant history
    • Signature of authorized representative

Foundation-Initiated Grants

Applications for Foundation-Initiated Grants are accepted only at the invitation of the Trustees. Organizations cannot apply for this cycle unless invited.

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline: March 31
  • Trustee Meeting: Late May/early June
  • Decision Notification: By end of June
  • Total Timeline: 8-12 weeks from submission to notification

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose the number of applications received or the success rate. However, the foundation acknowledges that "annual Foundation grants are competitive and not all applications can be approved." With approximately 30 awards made in 2024 and annual giving of approximately $2.5 million, the foundation maintains a selective grantmaking approach.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed on the foundation website. Applicants are encouraged to contact foundation staff at info@eskebarrettfoundation.org for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and recent grant awards, the following factors appear important for application success:

Clear Alignment with Mission

  • Projects must directly benefit children up to age 18
  • Must fit clearly within Health & Wellness, Education, or Human Services focus areas
  • The foundation states its mission as supporting organizations "working to improve children's health, safety, and education to create opportunities for their enrichment"

Demonstrated Community Need

  • Recent grants have addressed specific documented needs (e.g., Washington County's high food insecurity rates)
  • Projects should show how they respond to real gaps in services

Measurable Impact

  • Recent grantee quotes emphasize concrete outcomes: "Food security and early literacy programs are both linked to increased success at school" (Maine Seacoast Mission)
  • Applications should clearly describe expected outcomes and how they will be measured

Strong Organizational Capacity

  • The foundation requires detailed organizational information including staff size, volunteers, and annual operating budget
  • Recent grantees include established organizations with track records (MaineHealth, Maine Seacoast Mission)

Sustainability Planning

  • Application specifically asks about "future funding plans"
  • The foundation appears interested in how organizations will continue programs beyond the grant period

Local and Regional Impact

  • While the foundation now accepts applications nationally and internationally, many recent grants support Maine and New England organizations
  • Projects demonstrating local community impact appear well-positioned

Responsiveness to Foundation Guidance

  • Foundation staff available to discuss projects before application submission
  • Organizations are encouraged to contact staff with questions about alignment and eligibility

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Timing is critical: Applications must be submitted between March 1-31 annually with no exceptions—late applications will not be considered
  • Focus exclusively on children: All programs must serve children up to age 18; adult-focused programs will not be funded
  • Contact staff first: Foundation encourages pre-application discussions via info@eskebarrettfoundation.org, which can help assess fit before investing time in a full application
  • Be concise: Mission statement limited to 250 words, project description to 1,000 words—clarity and brevity are valued
  • Plan for reporting: Grantees must submit progress reports 6-8 months post-award, so build evaluation plans into your proposal
  • Consider multi-year funding: While competitive grants historically range $2,500-$20,000, recent examples show the foundation awards larger grants ($75,000-$80,000) and multi-year commitments for strong projects
  • Demonstrate concrete outcomes: Recent grantee statements emphasize specific, measurable impact—avoid vague language about "raising awareness" or "building capacity" without clear outcomes

References

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