The Rhoads Jr Jay - Environmental Fund concentrates on supporting land conservation and local community philanthropy, particularly in New England (notably Maine). It provides substantial, unrestricted operating support to regional land trusts, wilderness protection groups, and community foundations rather than project-specific or national advocacy efforts. The foundation favors well-established conservation organizations and regional intermediaries that steward open space and build local philanthropic capacity.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of regional conservation and community foundation grantees; mostly general operating support with at least one repeat grantee (Maine Community Foundation).
Rhoads Jr Jay-environmental Fund Tr has built a grantmaking pattern around land conservation and local community philanthropy, especially in Maine and nearby New England states. The largest recent awards show that emphasis clearly: the fund gave $725,000 to Maine Community Foundation in 2024 and another $525,000 in 2025, both for general operating support. That same operating-support approach extends to conservation intermediaries and land trusts rather than project-only grants. The Conservation Fund received $475,000 in 2023, while Open Space Institute received $300,000 in 2023 and another $300,000 in 2024. The portfolio also reaches community-based conservation groups such as Loon Echo Land Trust, Western Foothills Land Trust, and Northeast Wilderness Trust. Across the recent grants list, the foundation consistently backs organizations that steward open space, protect wilderness, and strengthen local capacity. Its giving is regional rather than national, with a concentration in the Northeast and repeated support for groups working on land protection, operating stability, and community philanthropy.
A central theme is general operating support for Maine-focused philanthropy. Maine Community Foundation appears multiple times, including grants for unrestricted operating support, which points to the funder’s interest in local philanthropic capacity as well as conservation. The foundation also supports land trust infrastructure in western and northern Maine and neighboring New Hampshire. Loon Echo Land Trust, Western Foothills Land Trust, and Mahoosuc Land Trust Inc each received operating support, showing a preference for organizations that manage and protect land locally. A third thread is wilderness preservation through regional intermediaries. Northeast Wilderness Trust received operating support in both 2024 and 2025, and Open Space Institute also appears twice, indicating continued backing for groups that help advance land protection across the Northeast. Public-access and conservation-oriented work also appears through The Conservation Fund and Trust for Public Land.
Typical grants cluster around mid-six figures and lower six figures, with a p25 of $50,000, a median of $100,000, and a p75 of $150,000. Recent awards also show larger multi-hundred-thousand-dollar commitments to a small set of recipients. The same organizations often appear in more than one year, including Maine Community Foundation, Northeast Wilderness Trust, Sunrise County Economic Council, Cheshire County Conservation System, and Open Space Institute. That pattern suggests repeated support rather than one-time funding. The funder is classified as a regular funder, and the grants shown are general operating support rather than project-specific awards. No individual funding or program-related investments are indicated.
$2.4M
$50.6M
$4.5M
$3.3M
Most grants fall between $50K and $150K, with a median of $100K.
25th Percentile
$50K
Median
$100K
75th Percentile
$150K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in ME.
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Notable grantees: Maine Community Foundation, The Conservation Fund, Loon Echo Land Trust, Open Space Institute, Northeast Wilderness Trust
Giving is concentrated in the Northeast, especially Maine and neighboring New England states. Maine locations recur frequently, including Ellsworth, Bridgton, Norway, Bethel, Machias, Grand Lake Stream, Brunswick, Portland, and Yarmouth. New Hampshire also appears often, with grantees in Walpole, Conway, and Keene. Vermont shows up through Montpelier, and a smaller share reaches Arlington, Virginia, New York, New York, and Stevensville, Montana. All listed recent grants went to U.S. recipients.
The grants show support for Maine-focused community philanthropy, regional land trusts, wilderness preservation groups, and land-protection intermediaries. Recipients include community foundations, conservation districts, land trusts, and organizations that work on open space and wilderness stewardship.
The grant-size distribution centers on $100,000. The p25 is $50,000, the median is $100,000, and the p75 is $150,000, with several larger operating grants in the recent record.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Maine Community Foundation, Northeast Wilderness Trust, Sunrise County Economic Council, Cheshire County Conservation System, and Open Space Institute. That pattern points to recurring support.
The recent grants are described as general operating support. That includes support for community foundations, land trusts, and conservation organizations, rather than project-specific awards.
The top state by grant count is Oregon, although the recent grants list shown here is entirely to U.S. recipients across several states, with especially frequent awards in Maine and New England.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEE ATTACHED | PITTSBURGH, PA | $2,370,000 | 2026 | SEE ATTACHED |
| MAINE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | ELLSWORTH, MA | $525,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| LOON ECHO LAND TRUST INC | BRIDGTON, ME | $407,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NORTHEAST WILDERNESS TRUST | MONTPELIER, VT | $225,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CHESHIRE COUNTY CONSERVATION SYSTEM | WALPOLE, NH | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| DOWN EAST LAKES LAND TR | GRAND LK STRM, ME | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| UPPER SACO VALLEY LAND TRUST | CONWAY, NH | $170,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SUNRISE COUNTY ECONOMIC COUNCIL | MACHIAS, ME | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE MONADNOCK CONSERVANCY | KEENE, NH | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATIO | BRUNSWICK, ME | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WESTERN FOOTHILLS LAND TRUST | NORWAY, ME | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MAHOOSUC LAND TRUST INC | BETHEL, ME | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MAINE RIVERS | YARMOUTH, ME | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FRENCHMAN BAY CONSERVANCY | HANCOCK, ME | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NEW HAMPSHIRE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ASS | CONCORD, NH | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SOUTHERN MAINE CONSERVATION COLLABORATIV | PORTLAND, OR | $85,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GREATER LOVELL LAND TRUST | LOVELL, MA | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $65,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FRIENDS OF CASCO BAY | S PORTLAND, ME | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FRANCIS SMALL HERITAGE TRUST | LIMERICK, ME | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MAINE CENTER FOR COASTAL FISHERIES | STONINGTON, ME | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NEW HAMPSHIRE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATORS | HOLDERNESS, NH | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| TIN MOUNTAIN CONSERVATION CENTER INC | ALBANY, NH | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HUBBARD BROOK RESEARCH FOUNDATION | THORNTON, NE | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NASHUA RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION | GROTON, MA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| LAKES ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION | BRIDGTON, ME | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MAINE PHILANTHROPY CENTER | PORTLAND, OR | $21,600 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NASHUA RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION INC | GROTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MAINE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | Ellsworth, ME | $725,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $300,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NORTHEAST WILDERNESS TRUST | Montpelier, VT | $269,300 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| LOON ECHO LAND TRUST | BRIDGTON, MA | $235,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CHESHIRE COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT | WALPOLE, NH | $200,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SUNRISE COUNTY ECONOMIC COUNCIL | MACHIAS, ME | $150,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MAINE RIVERS | YARMOUTH, ME | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| DOWNEAST SALMON FEDERATION | COLUMBIA FLS, ME | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NASHUA RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION | GROTON, MA | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MARINE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION INC | S LAKE TAHOE, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FRENCHMAN BAY CONSERVANCY | HANCOCK, ME | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATIO | Brunswick, ME | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE CONSERVATION FUND | Arlington, VA | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| STODDARD CONSERVATION COMMISSION | STODDARD, NH | $92,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| LAKES ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION | BRIDGTON, ME | $77,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CENTER FOR ECOLOGY-BASED ECONOMY | NORWAY, ME | $60,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HUBBARD BROOK RESEARCH FOUNDATION | Thornton, NH | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MAINE CENTER FOR COASTAL FISHERIES | STONINGTON, ME | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MONADNOCK CONSERVANCY | KEENE, NH | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NEW HAMPSHIRE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATORS | HOLDERNESS, NH | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| TIN MOUNTAIN CONSERVATION CENTER INC | ALBANY, NH | $35,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
SEE ATTACHED
$2,370,000SEE ATTACHED
MAINE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$525,000GENERAL OPERATING
LOON ECHO LAND TRUST INC
$407,000GENERAL OPERATING
NORTHEAST WILDERNESS TRUST
$225,000GENERAL OPERATING
CHESHIRE COUNTY CONSERVATION SYSTEM
$200,000GENERAL OPERATING
DOWN EAST LAKES LAND TR
$200,000GENERAL OPERATING
UPPER SACO VALLEY LAND TRUST
$170,000GENERAL OPERATING
SUNRISE COUNTY ECONOMIC COUNCIL
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE MONADNOCK CONSERVANCY
$125,000GENERAL OPERATING
MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATIO
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
WESTERN FOOTHILLS LAND TRUST
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
MAHOOSUC LAND TRUST INC
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
MAINE RIVERS
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
FRENCHMAN BAY CONSERVANCY
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
NEW HAMPSHIRE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ASS
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
SOUTHERN MAINE CONSERVATION COLLABORATIV
$85,000GENERAL OPERATING
GREATER LOVELL LAND TRUST
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING
OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE INC
$65,000GENERAL OPERATING
FRIENDS OF CASCO BAY
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING
FRANCIS SMALL HERITAGE TRUST
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
MAINE CENTER FOR COASTAL FISHERIES
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
NEW HAMPSHIRE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATORS
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
TIN MOUNTAIN CONSERVATION CENTER INC
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
HUBBARD BROOK RESEARCH FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
NASHUA RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING
LAKES ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
MAINE PHILANTHROPY CENTER
$21,600GENERAL OPERATING
NASHUA RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
MAINE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$725,000GENERAL OPERATING
OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE INC
$300,000GENERAL OPERATING
NORTHEAST WILDERNESS TRUST
$269,300GENERAL OPERATING
LOON ECHO LAND TRUST
$235,000GENERAL OPERATING
CHESHIRE COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
$200,000GENERAL OPERATING
SUNRISE COUNTY ECONOMIC COUNCIL
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
MAINE RIVERS
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
DOWNEAST SALMON FEDERATION
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
NASHUA RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
MARINE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION INC
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
FRENCHMAN BAY CONSERVANCY
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATIO
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE CONSERVATION FUND
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
STODDARD CONSERVATION COMMISSION
$92,000GENERAL OPERATING
LAKES ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION
$77,000GENERAL OPERATING
CENTER FOR ECOLOGY-BASED ECONOMY
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING
HUBBARD BROOK RESEARCH FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
MAINE CENTER FOR COASTAL FISHERIES
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
MONADNOCK CONSERVANCY
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
NEW HAMPSHIRE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATORS
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
TIN MOUNTAIN CONSERVATION CENTER INC
$35,000GENERAL OPERATING