We want the communities where we do business to thrive; we give back to the people of the community through donations, sponsorships, scholarships and partnerships with local and national organizations.
Reny Charitable Foundation’s giving is shaped by a local store network and a community-first model: it supports towns where Renys does business through donations, sponsorships, scholarships, and partnerships. In the recent grants list, one of the clearest signals is the $20,000 unrestricted grant to Tedford Housing in Brunswick, alongside $16,000 to Maine Community Foundation for all 16 counties and $10,000 for Maine Community Foundation’s Fund for Lewiston Victims and Survivors. That mix shows a foundation that can move from broad community support to targeted relief when a specific need arises. Education is a recurring part of the portfolio, but it is not limited to scholarships. The foundation also funds schools and student-serving organizations directly, with grants such as $15,000 to Lincoln Academy and $5,000 to Housing Resources for Youth. Beyond education and relief, the grant list includes arts and culture, food access, conservation, and civic life, often through unrestricted support. The result is a donor that appears closely tied to Maine communities and comfortable backing both institutions and local responses to immediate needs.
Education is one of the foundation’s clearest priorities. A $15,000 unrestricted grant to Lincoln Academy, a $4,000 scholarship award to the same school, and a $3,000 unrestricted grant to Deering High School show support for both school operations and student opportunity. Community relief also stands out. The foundation gave $20,000 unrestricted to Tedford Housing and $10,000 to Maine Community Foundation for the Fund for Lewiston Victims and Survivors, linking its grantmaking to housing, crisis response, and local recovery. Arts, culture, and public programming appear in several awards as well. Grants included $15,000 to Maine Maritime Museum, $10,000 to Farnsworth Art Museum, and $5,000 to Camden Public Library. Environmental and food-related support also shows up through $10,000 to Maine Farmland Trust and $10,000 to Good Shepherd Food Bank for the Feed Maine Telethon.
Typical grants cluster at modest to mid-level amounts: the 25th percentile is $500, the median is $1,000, and the 75th percentile is $3,000. The recent-grants list also includes larger awards, but the center of gravity is clearly around smaller community grants and scholarships. Giving appears recurring rather than one-off. Lincoln Academy received both an unrestricted grant and a scholarship award in the recent list, and the foundation’s scholarship programs are annual. The funder is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it also funds individuals. Its active programs show both unsolicited donation requests and mailed general grant proposals, plus event sponsorships.
$380K
$3.6M
$512K
$426K
Most grants fall between $500 and $3K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$500
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$3K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Maine-based: 97% of grants go to recipients in ME, and the top state by grant count is also Maine. Recent recipients are spread across the state, including Brunswick, Portland, Bath, Damariscotta, Auburn, Belfast, Rockland, and Ellsworth. The list also includes one non-Maine recipient in St John, VI, and one in Center Harbor, NH, but the overall pattern is local. The foundation’s geography tracks closely with communities served by Renys store locations and local Maine institutions.
The foundation supports education, community, environment, music, and scholarships. Recent grants also show support for housing, food security, arts and culture, community development, and disaster or survivor relief, including unrestricted awards and targeted funding for specific programs or appeals.
The middle of the grant distribution is small to modest: the 25th percentile is $500, the median is $1,000, and the 75th percentile is $3,000. The recent-grants list also includes larger awards, but many of the foundation’s programs are built around $1,000 scholarships and smaller donation or sponsorship requests.
Yes. The foundation accepts unsolicited mailed general grant proposals, and Renys also accepts donation requests and event sponsorship requests by email or through local stores. Its active programs include general grant proposals, community donation requests, and sponsorship requests.
Most grants go to Maine, which accounts for 97% of grants in the recipient-state distribution. Recent recipient cities include Brunswick, Portland, Bath, Damariscotta, Auburn, Belfast, Rockland, and Ellsworth.
Yes. The foundation runs annual scholarship programs that award three $1,000 scholarships in each town with a Renys location. The scholarships are tied to local high schools and are earmarked for graduating employees, employees’ children or grandchildren, or students selected by the school when no employee is graduating.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BANGOR AREA YMCA | BANGOR, ME | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MAINE FARMLAND TRUST | BELFAST, ME | $40,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MAINE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | PORTLAND, ME | $16,000 | 2025 | ALL 16 COUNTIES |
| MAINE MARITIME MUSEUM | BATH, ME | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ELDERCARE NETWORK | DAMARISCOTTA, ME | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LINCOLN ACADEMY ANNUAL FUND | NEWCASTLE, ME | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MIDCOAST HUNGER PREVENTION PROGRAM | BRUNSWICK, ME | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| COASTAL KIDS | DAMARISCOTTA, ME | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HONOR FLIGHT MAINE | BRUNSWICK, ME | $10,000 | 2025 | TELETHON |
| GOOD SHEPARD FOOD BANK | AUBURN, ME | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HEARTY ROOTS | DAMARISCOTTA, ME | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| WASHBURN-NORLANDS LIVING HISTORY CENTER | LIVERMORE, ME | $6,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MIDCOAST OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP INITATIVE | CAMDEN, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | SUNDOG SUMMER CAMP |
| PENQUIS -BRIGHT BEGINNINGS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | BANGOR, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | BRIGHT BEGINNINGS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| BIGELOW LABS | EAST BOOTHBAY, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | KELLER BLOOM PROGRAM |
| CAMDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY | CAMDEN, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | HARBOR ARTS SPONSORSHIP AND CAMPAIGN FOR THE FUTURE |
| DOWNEAST COMMUNITY PARTNERS | ELLSWORTH, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ART VAN | BRUNSWICK, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HIRUNDO WILDLIFE REFUGE | OLD TOWN, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | SUMMER CAMPS |
| MAINE LOBSTERMENS ASSOCIATION | KENNEBUNK, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MDF- MAINE DOWNTOWN CENTER | AUGUSTA, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CAMP SUSAN CURTIS | STONEHAM, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SEEDS OF HOPE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER | BIDDEFORD, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NEW HOPE MIDCOAST | ROCKLAND, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| OLYMPIA SNOWE WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE | PORTLAND, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MANDY'S ANGELS DIABETIC SERVICE DOGS | CENTER HARBOR, NH | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| COMMUNITY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT PROJECT | NEWCASTLE, ME | $3,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CAMDEN HILLS REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL | ROCKPORT, ME | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| DEERING HIGH SCHOOL | PORTLAND, ME | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL | PORTLAND, ME | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NOKOMIS REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL | NEWPORT, ME | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THORNTON ACADEMY | SACO, ME | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MAINE CENTRAL INSTITUTE | PITTSFIELD, ME | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FRANCES PERKINS CENTER | DAMARISCOTTA, ME | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BANGOR HIGH SCHOOL | BANGOR, ME | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MT ARARAT HIGH SCHOOL | TOPSHAM, ME | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MAINE ACADEMY OF MODERN MUSIC | PORTLAND, ME | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE | PORTLAND, ME | $2,500 | 2025 | LABVENTURE |
| CARPENTERS BOAT SHOP | PEMAQUID, ME | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| WATERVILLE AREA SOUP KITCHEN AT THE LIGHTHOUSE | WATERVILLE, ME | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| GENESIS COMMUNITY LOAN FUND | BRUNSWICK, ME | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CARRABEC HIGH SCHOOL | NO ANSON, ME | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LAKE REGION HIGH SCHOOL | NAPLES, ME | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| TEDFORD HOUSING | BRUNSWICK, ME | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MIDCOAST CONSERVANCY | WISCASSET, ME | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PINE TREE SOCIETY | BATH, ME | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| WINDHAM HIGH SCHOOL | WINDHAM, ME | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MAIN STREET BATH | BATH, ME | $1,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MAINE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM | MECHANIC FALLS, ME | $1,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MORINGSTAR HOME HEATING RLIEF FUND | TOPSHAM, ME | $1,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
BANGOR AREA YMCA
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
MAINE FARMLAND TRUST
$40,000UNRESTRICTED
MAINE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$16,000ALL 16 COUNTIES
MAINE MARITIME MUSEUM
$15,000UNRESTRICTED
ELDERCARE NETWORK
$15,000UNRESTRICTED
LINCOLN ACADEMY ANNUAL FUND
$15,000UNRESTRICTED
MIDCOAST HUNGER PREVENTION PROGRAM
UNRESTRICTED
COASTAL KIDS
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
HONOR FLIGHT MAINE
$10,000TELETHON
GOOD SHEPARD FOOD BANK
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
HEARTY ROOTS
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
WASHBURN-NORLANDS LIVING HISTORY CENTER
$6,000UNRESTRICTED
MIDCOAST OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP INITATIVE
$5,000SUNDOG SUMMER CAMP
PENQUIS -BRIGHT BEGINNINGS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
$5,000BRIGHT BEGINNINGS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
BIGELOW LABS
$5,000KELLER BLOOM PROGRAM
CAMDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY
$5,000HARBOR ARTS SPONSORSHIP AND CAMPAIGN FOR THE FUTURE
DOWNEAST COMMUNITY PARTNERS
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
ART VAN
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
HIRUNDO WILDLIFE REFUGE
$5,000SUMMER CAMPS
MAINE LOBSTERMENS ASSOCIATION
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
MDF- MAINE DOWNTOWN CENTER
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
CAMP SUSAN CURTIS
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
SEEDS OF HOPE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
NEW HOPE MIDCOAST
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
OLYMPIA SNOWE WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
MANDY'S ANGELS DIABETIC SERVICE DOGS
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
COMMUNITY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
$3,500UNRESTRICTED
CAMDEN HILLS REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
$3,000UNRESTRICTED
DEERING HIGH SCHOOL
$3,000UNRESTRICTED
PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL
$3,000UNRESTRICTED
NOKOMIS REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
$3,000UNRESTRICTED
THORNTON ACADEMY
$3,000UNRESTRICTED
MAINE CENTRAL INSTITUTE
$3,000UNRESTRICTED
FRANCES PERKINS CENTER
$3,000UNRESTRICTED
BANGOR HIGH SCHOOL
$3,000UNRESTRICTED
MT ARARAT HIGH SCHOOL
$3,000UNRESTRICTED
MAINE ACADEMY OF MODERN MUSIC
$2,500UNRESTRICTED
GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
$2,500LABVENTURE
CARPENTERS BOAT SHOP
$2,500UNRESTRICTED
WATERVILLE AREA SOUP KITCHEN AT THE LIGHTHOUSE
$2,500UNRESTRICTED
GENESIS COMMUNITY LOAN FUND
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
CARRABEC HIGH SCHOOL
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
LAKE REGION HIGH SCHOOL
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
TEDFORD HOUSING
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
MIDCOAST CONSERVANCY
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
PINE TREE SOCIETY
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
WINDHAM HIGH SCHOOL
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
MAIN STREET BATH
$1,500UNRESTRICTED
MAINE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM
$1,500UNRESTRICTED
MORINGSTAR HOME HEATING RLIEF FUND
$1,500UNRESTRICTED
Current and upcoming funding from Reny Charitable Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Community organizations, schools, and events in areas served by Renys. Provide event details, date, contact info, requested donation and purpose.
Deadline: Requests should be submitted with as much advance notice as possible; larger events typically need ~5 months' notice. No formal application deadline.
Who can apply: Requests for donations (school events, benefit banquets, community events, raffles, etc.). Include event details, date, contact information, requested donation and beneficiary information.
Deadline: Not formalized; requests should be submitted as far in advance as possible (Renys suggests at least five months' notice for larger events).
Who can apply: Proposal-based charitable support for organizations or projects aligned with the foundation's focus areas. Submission should include a one-page introductory letter, helpful attachments, and project outline, budget, amount requested, and planned use of funds. Proposals must be received by July 1 for consideration in that year's review.
Deadline: Proposal must be received by July 1; foundation meets mid-July to review proposals.
Who can apply: Proposal should relate to one of the foundation's focus areas. Applicants must submit a one-page introductory letter plus supporting materials and project information. The foundation appears to support organizations serving the communities where Renys does business, especially in Maine.
Deadline: Submit proposal by July 1; Foundation meets mid-July to review proposals.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.