Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust
/OVERVIEW: The Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust supports conservation, preservation, culture, and education in Maine.
IP TAKE: The Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust is a relatively modest funder with a narrow focus, both geographically and issue-wise. It almost exclusively supports organizations based in Maine—national organizations can get support only for Maine-based projects—and it is currently focused primarily on the arts and environment. Grantseekers who have worked with Morton-Kelly in the past should keep this in mind, as its priorities and guidelines have shifted in recent years.
The Morton-Kelly trust is a transparent and accessible funder. It maintains a comprehensive list of past grantees and grant values on its website, and its application process has clear guidelines and deadlines. It has recently begun accepting applications online, so you no longer have to submit by mail, however grantseekers should expect upcoming grantcycles to be particularly competitive, as it has only just opened up its grants to unsolicited applications after focusing primarily on prior established grantees during the pandemic.
PROFILE: Established in 1988, the Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust is the foundation of Joan Morton Kelly and her mother, Mildred Duncan Morton. The foundation is based in Portland, Maine. Joan had a Ph.D. in zoology and helped create the Children’s Zoo at the San Diego Zoo. She and her family were long-time summer residents of Higgins Beach in Scarborough, Maine, and they eventually became full-time Maine residents. Since Joan’s death in 2012, the foundation’s board of directors has carried on her philanthropic legacy. The Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust’s mission is to “connect people and place through the arts, culture and the natural environment.” Through its grantmaking, this funder supports nonprofits, public schools, public agencies, and Indian tribal governments and their political subdivisions recognized by the Department of the Interior. Within its funding priorities, it provides program, capital expense, and occasionally operating support. Its current Program Areas are Arts, Culture & Historic Preservation and Environmental Initiatives.
Grants for Arts and Culture
Morton-Kelly’s grants for Arts, Culture & Historic Preservation supports organizations in Maine that “help foster vibrant communities, creative expression, inspiration and build community connections.” The Trust has four main priorities in this field:
Organizations that increase access to the arts, such as performances, libraries, museums, and arts education for urban and rural children and adults in Maine. It especially prioritizes programs that “serve diverse populations and cultural experiences.”
Facility improvements for community cultural centers, including structural improvements, health and safety, and technology upgrades. It prioritizes helping small venues in rural or underserved areas.
Programs that celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of Maine and work to explore “cultural histories of place, expand awareness, develop cultural connection and share learning.” It prioritizes programs that “elevate the unique experiences of Black, Indigenous and other under-represented groups.”
Historic preservation projects that work to maintain the integrity of historic buildings registered with either the Maine Historic Preservation Commission or a Tribal Historic Preservation Office. It prioritizes long-term structural renovations and improvements, rather than short term repairs or routine maintenance.
Past grantees include Maine Community Music Trust, Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School, Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Children’s Museum and Theater of Maine, Chocolate Church Arts Center, Cultural Alliance of Maine, Eastport Arts Center, Greater Portland Landmarks, Maine Historical Society, and Maine Jewish Film Festival.
Grants for Environment
Morton-Kelly’s grants for Environmental Initiatives supports organizations that “promote positive relationships with nature,” including “ecological values, water quality and ecosystem health.” The Trust funds efforts such as land conservation and stewardship, environmental education, and scientific research. It has four main priorities in this area:
Equitable access to outdoor experiences and nature education for Maine youth through programs that provide “safe, inclusive spaces for youth and others to develop appreciation for nature.” It prioritizes programs that serve BIPOC and underserved communities.
New approaches to land conservation, such as efforts that protect biodiversity, increase recreational access, or involve educational outreach. It prioritizes efforts that promote the preservation of lands historically significant to the Wabanaki people.
Enhance environmental stewardship by helping conservation groups with staffing, community engagement, and partnership.
Promote water quality in coastal and inland watersheds by supporting science research into ecosystem management and climate change impact. It prioritizes efforts that use “science, policy and community engagement to improve and restore natural resources.”
Past grantees include Androscoggin Land Trust, Appalachian Mountain Club, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Blue Hill Heritage Trust, Downeast Salmon Federation, Friends of Casco Bay, Friends of Baxter State Park, Falmouth Land Trust, Lake Stewards of Maine, and Penobscot Marine Museum.
Important Grant Details:
Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust grants range from $5,000 to $20,000, with the average grant being $10,000. Grantseekers can view a list of past grant awards on the funder’s online grants database.
Grantmaking is restricted to the state of Maine. With few exceptions, the Trust does not provide multi-year grants or grants over $20,000.
The Trust will consider funding applicants for two consecutive years, but requires a one year hiatus after two consecutive grants.
The Trust accepts unsolicited grant applications once per year. The grant cycle is open between July 1 and October 1.
Submissions are reviewed by the board in November and announcements are typically made in December.
Grantseekers may submit their applications through the Trust’s online grant portal.
The Morton-Kelly Trust will not consider requests for endowments, annual campaigns, political advocacy, national organizations operating outside of Maine, or organizations that provide direct social services.
Grantseekers should direct general questions to program advisor Lissa Widdoff at programs@morton-kelly.org or call 207-322-6553.
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