This foundation gives in a very relationship-driven way, with repeated support for a relatively small set of organizations over many grants. Its priorities cluster around New England/Blue Hill Peninsula institutions, independent schools and higher education, and arts/cultural organizations, with several gifts tied to family names and memorial purposes. It also supports a handful of community health and human-service charities, suggesting a mix of personal philanthropy, place-based loyalty, and long-term institutional backing.
Recurring support for coastal Maine institutions stands out in the Becton Family Foundation Justin W Heatter Trustee’s recent giving. The foundation has backed George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill with multiple grants across 2023 and 2024, including support for both capital and annual needs, and it has also funded Blue Hill Heritage Trust and Maine Coast Heritage Trust in repeated awards tied to land conservation and capital campaigns. Those patterns point to a funder that favors sustained relationships rather than isolated gifts. Its portfolio reaches beyond Maine into select arts, health, and education organizations, but the recent record still shows a strong preference for small-to-mid sized nonprofits and flexible support. Grants have gone to community institutions, performing arts groups, marine and conservation organizations, and local human services providers. In the arts, the foundation has supported Kneisel Hall, Community Arts Music Association, Lobero Theater Foundation, and Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts. In health and research, it has made general-fund gifts to Jackson Laboratory and Northern Light Blue Hill, while also supporting Lifeflight of Maine Foundation and Shelter for Abused Women & Children.
Independent schools and academies are a clear theme. The foundation gave $35,000 in 2024 to George Stevens Academy for the capital/annual effort, after a $22,000 capital-campaign grant in 2023 and a $10,000 annual-fund gift the same year. It also supported Deerfield Academy with $10,000 annual-fund grants in both 2023 and 2024. Land protection and coastal conservation appear in several grants. Maine Coast Heritage Trust received $25,000 in 2024 and another $25,000 in 2023 for its capital campaign, while Blue Hill Heritage Trust received $21,000 in 2024 for its annual fund and Mt Wallamatogus and $20,000 in 2023 for a purchase on Mt. Wall. The arts show a mix of operating and event support. Community Arts Music Association was granted $25,000 in 2024 for concert sponsorship, and Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts received $10,000 in 2024 for the Premier Patrons Society.
Typical grants are small: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $2,000, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. Even with occasional larger gifts, the pattern is built around many modest awards rather than a few outsized commitments. The giving is also repeat-oriented. Several recipients appear in both 2023 and 2024, including George Stevens Academy, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Blue Hill Heritage Trust, Kneisel Hall, Northern Light Blue Hill, and Community Arts Music Association. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it funds individuals. Recent grants commonly use annual-fund, general-fund, capital-campaign, scholarship, and event-sponsorship language.
$465K
$162K
$607K
$506K
Most grants fall between $1K and $5K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$5K
About 5% of grants go to recipients in ME.
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Highly concentrated repeat giving to a core group of grantees, often through multiple smaller-to-midsize grants over time; many awards are unrestricted or annual-fund support, with some targeted capital or program gifts tied to family interests and memorial designations.
Notable grantees: KNEISEL HALL, GEORGE STEVENS ACADEMY, BLUE HILL HERITAGE TRUST, MAINE COAST HERITAGE TRUST, JACKSON LABORATORY
Grantmaking is national, but the center of gravity is Maine. Blue Hill, Bangor, Topsham, Bar Harbor, Camden, and other Maine locations appear repeatedly, and the top state by grant count is ME. Florida receives a small share of grants, at 5% of awards to recipients in the HQ state, while the recent record also includes recipients in California and Massachusetts. Among named cities, Blue Hill appears most often, especially in connection with schools, land trusts, library, and arts support.
Recent grants show a strong pattern toward independent schools and academies, coastal land trusts, marine and conservation groups, performing arts organizations, and local human services providers. Examples in the record include George Stevens Academy, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Blue Hill Heritage Trust, Kneisel Hall, and Shelter for Abused Women & Children.
Yes. Several organizations received grants in both 2023 and 2024, including George Stevens Academy, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Blue Hill Heritage Trust, Kneisel Hall, Northern Light Blue Hill, and Community Arts Music Association. That suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts.
The typical grant is small to modest: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $2,000, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. The recent record also includes larger awards, but the distribution centers on lower-dollar support.
Its giving is national, but Maine receives the most grants, and Blue Hill appears frequently among recipient locations. The recent grants also include recipients in Florida, California, and Massachusetts, showing a broader reach beyond its Maine-heavy pattern.
The recent record includes general fund, annual fund, capital campaign, scholarship, concert sponsorship, patron society, and program-specific support. Examples include a capital campaign grant to Maine Coast Heritage Trust, scholarship support for Kneisel Hall, and concert sponsorship for Community Arts Music Association.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GFWC NAPLES WOMAN'S CLUB | NAPLES, FL | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GEORGE STEVENS ACADEMY | BLUE HILL, ME | $33,000 | 2026 | $10,000 IS TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE ANNUAL FUND. $23,000 IS TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE GATEWAY PROJECTS. |
| KNEISEL HALL | BLUE HILL, ME | $25,000 | 2026 | FOR THE SECOND CENTURY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR CONCERT HALL RELOCATION, REPAIR AND RENOVATION. |
| COMMUNITY ARTS MUSIC ASSOCIATION (CAMA) | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | SPHINX VIRTUOSI PERFORMANCE |
| KNEISEL HALL | BLUE HILL, ME | $20,000 | 2026 | $10,000 FOR SEASON CONCERT VIDEOGRAPHER. $5,000 FOR DONOR APPRECIATION LUNCHEON. $5,000 FOR COMPOSERS |
| KNEISEL HALL | BLUE HILL, ME | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BLUE HILL HERITAGE TRUST | BLUE HILL, ME | $18,000 | 2026 | TO BE ALLOCATED IN SUPPORT OF PROJECTS RELATED TO WALLAMATOGUS MOUNTAIN EXPANSION. |
| MAINE COAST HERITAGE TRUST | TOPSHAM, ME | $18,000 | 2026 | TO BE ALLOCATED TO TRANSACTION COSTS FOR THE HOLBROOK ISLAND ADDITIONS. |
| LIFEFLIGHT OF MAINE FOUNDATION | AUGUSTA, ME | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JACKSON LABORATORY | BOSTON, MA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHELTER FOR ABUSED WOMEN & CHILDREN | NAPLES, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DEERFIELD ACADEMY | DEERFIELD, MA | $9,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE WARING SCHOOL | BEVERLY, MA | $9,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TRUST | BOSTON, MA | $8,000 | 2026 | TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE GEMS PROGRAM |
| NORTHERN LIGHT HEALTH FOUNDATION | BANGOR, ME | $8,000 | 2026 | FUNDS ARE TO BE ALLOCATED TO BLUE HILL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. |
| PENINSULA AMBULANCE CORPS | BLUE HILL, ME | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BLUE HILL HERITAGE TRUST | BLUE HILL, ME | $7,000 | 2026 | FOR A SUMMER INTERN, PREFERABLY FROM PENINSULA AREA, AND A GSA ALUMNI, IN MEMORY OF JEANNIE BECTON |
| TREE OF LIFE FOOD PANTRY | BLUE HILL, ME | $6,000 | 2026 | $3000 IS TO BE USED FOR SCHOOL BACKPACK PROGRAMS. $3,000 TO BE ALLOCATED FOR ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| BLUE HILL PUBLIC LIBRARY | BLUE HILL, ME | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF BLUE HILL | BLUE HILL, ME | $5,000 | 2026 | TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE DOLLY FISHER FUND |
| HOMEPORT | DEER ISLE, ME | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LOBERO THEATER FOUNDATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF "JAZZ AT THE LOBERO" |
| YALE UNIVERSITY | NEW HAVEN, CT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SANTA BARBARA CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT LA SIERRA CIRCLE |
| PENINSULA AMBULANCE CORPS | BLUE HILL, ME | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CONCORD ACADEMY | CONCORD, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ISLAND FOOD PANTRY | DEER ISLE, ME | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MAINE COAST HERITAGE TRUST | TOPSHAM, ME | $4,500 | 2026 | FOR SUMMER INTERN, PREFERABLY A STUDENT OR GRADUATE OF GEORGE STEVENS ACADEMY |
| MAINE MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS | GORHAM, ME | $4,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MAINE CENTER FOR COASTAL FISHERIES | STONINGTON, ME | $4,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DOWNEAST FAMILY YMCA LAWRENCE FAMILY FITNESS CENTER | BLUE HILL, ME | $4,000 | 2026 | FOR 6TH AND 7TH GRADER SWIMMING PROGRAM MEMBERSHIPS AT LAWRENCE FAMILY FITNESS CTR |
| ISLAND INSTITUTE | ROCKLAND, ME | $4,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WGBH EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $3,500 | 2026 | TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE BEACON CIRCLE SOCIETY. |
| NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM | BOSTON, MA | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MEMORIAL AMBULANCE CORPS | DEER ISLE, ME | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHAW INSTITUTE | BLUE HILL, ME | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GEORGE STEVENS ACADEMY | BLUE HILL, ME | $3,000 | 2026 | TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE RUSTY DUYM FUND FOR THE SAILING PROGRAM. |
| FRIENDS OF BLUE HILL BAY | BLUE HILL, ME | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS IN ACTION | ELLSWORTH, ME | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHASE EMERSON DEER ISLE LIBRARY | DEER ISLE, ME | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FAY SCHOOL | SOUTHBOROUGH, MA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JOHANN FUST COMMUNITY LIBRARY FOUNDATION | BOCA GRANDE, FL | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOCA GRANDE HEALTH CLINIC FOUNDATION INC | BOCA GRANDE, FL | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KSEA (KOLLEGEWIDGWOK SAILING EDUCATION ASSOCIATION) | BLUE HILL, ME | $2,500 | 2026 | TO BE ALLOCATED TO PROGRAMS SUPPORTING BEGINNING YOUNG SAILORS |
| PENINSULA AMBULANCE CORPS | BLUE HILL, ME | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GASPARILLA ISLAND CONSERVATION IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION | BOCA GRANDE, FL | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GOOD SHEPHERD FOOD BANK | AUBURN, ME | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YALE SCHOOL OF ART | NEW HAVEN, CT | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KSEA (KOLLEGEWIDGWOK SAILING EDUCATION ASSOCIATION) | BLUE HILL, ME | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
GFWC NAPLES WOMAN'S CLUB
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GEORGE STEVENS ACADEMY
$33,000$10,000 IS TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE ANNUAL FUND. $23,000 IS TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE GATEWAY PROJECTS.
KNEISEL HALL
$25,000FOR THE SECOND CENTURY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR CONCERT HALL RELOCATION, REPAIR AND RENOVATION.
COMMUNITY ARTS MUSIC ASSOCIATION (CAMA)
$25,000SPHINX VIRTUOSI PERFORMANCE
KNEISEL HALL
$20,000$10,000 FOR SEASON CONCERT VIDEOGRAPHER. $5,000 FOR DONOR APPRECIATION LUNCHEON. $5,000 FOR COMPOSERS
KNEISEL HALL
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TO BE ALLOCATED IN SUPPORT OF PROJECTS RELATED TO WALLAMATOGUS MOUNTAIN EXPANSION.
TO BE ALLOCATED TO TRANSACTION COSTS FOR THE HOLBROOK ISLAND ADDITIONS.
THE WARING SCHOOL
$9,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TRUST
$8,000TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE GEMS PROGRAM
NORTHERN LIGHT HEALTH FOUNDATION
$8,000FUNDS ARE TO BE ALLOCATED TO BLUE HILL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
PENINSULA AMBULANCE CORPS
$7,500GENERAL SUPPORT
FOR A SUMMER INTERN, PREFERABLY FROM PENINSULA AREA, AND A GSA ALUMNI, IN MEMORY OF JEANNIE BECTON
TREE OF LIFE FOOD PANTRY
$6,000$3000 IS TO BE USED FOR SCHOOL BACKPACK PROGRAMS. $3,000 TO BE ALLOCATED FOR ANNUAL SUPPORT
BLUE HILL PUBLIC LIBRARY
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF BLUE HILL
$5,000TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE DOLLY FISHER FUND
HOMEPORT
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
YALE UNIVERSITY
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PENINSULA AMBULANCE CORPS
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CONCORD ACADEMY
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ISLAND FOOD PANTRY
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FOR SUMMER INTERN, PREFERABLY A STUDENT OR GRADUATE OF GEORGE STEVENS ACADEMY
MAINE MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS
$4,000GENERAL SUPPORT
DOWNEAST FAMILY YMCA LAWRENCE FAMILY FITNESS CENTER
$4,000FOR 6TH AND 7TH GRADER SWIMMING PROGRAM MEMBERSHIPS AT LAWRENCE FAMILY FITNESS CTR
MEMORIAL AMBULANCE CORPS
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SHAW INSTITUTE
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GEORGE STEVENS ACADEMY
$3,000TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE RUSTY DUYM FUND FOR THE SAILING PROGRAM.
FRIENDS OF BLUE HILL BAY
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRIENDS IN ACTION
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
CHASE EMERSON DEER ISLE LIBRARY
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
FAY SCHOOL
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
JOHANN FUST COMMUNITY LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
KSEA (KOLLEGEWIDGWOK SAILING EDUCATION ASSOCIATION)
$2,500TO BE ALLOCATED TO PROGRAMS SUPPORTING BEGINNING YOUNG SAILORS
PENINSULA AMBULANCE CORPS
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
YALE SCHOOL OF ART
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT
KSEA (KOLLEGEWIDGWOK SAILING EDUCATION ASSOCIATION)
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT