About Friends of Acadia
Friends of Acadia works with Acadia National Park to support conservation, stewardship, visitor services, education, and critical park needs through private philanthropy, volunteerism, and partnerships.
Focus Areas
national park supporthabitat restorationtrail and infrastructure stewardshipemployee housingenvironmental educationpublic transportation (Island Explorer)
Who They Fund
visitors to Acadia National Parklocal communities and businesses in the Acadia regionstudents and youth participating in outdoor educationpark management and conservation organizationsunderrepresented / diverse participants in conservation programs
About Friends of Acadia
Friends of Acadia’s grantmaking is built around Acadia National Park itself: protecting the park region, funding conservation work, and supporting the visitor and education systems that surround it. The largest recent grant in the data was $9,056,616 to Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor for protection of the Acadia National Park region, showing the scale of its park-centered support. Other large awards reinforce that pattern, including $1,000,000 to the Maine Department of Transportation for the Acadia Gateway Center and $297,000 to Downeast Transportation for Island Explorer propane buses serving the park. The foundation also backs organizations that help deliver outdoor education and stewardship in the Acadia region. Schoodic Institute at Acadia received $364,721 for education and conservation, and College of the Atlantic received $28,480 for research. Across the recent grants list, the work is place-based and tied to park needs, conservation capacity, and access for visitors, students, and local communities.
What Friends of Acadia Funds
A major theme is transportation and visitor access. Friends of Acadia gave $297,000 to Downeast Transportation in 2025, and the purpose text ties that support to Island Explorer propane buses serving Acadia National Park. The same program also appears in 2024 with another $297,000 award and in 2023 with $198,000. Education is another clear line of giving. Schoodic Institute at Acadia received $201,585 in 2024 for the Schoodic Education Adventure Grant, followed by $146,441 in 2023 for the same purpose. The foundation also funded Orono Middle School with $10,000 for education. Research and conservation show up as well. College of the Atlantic received $28,480 for research, while the Appalachian Mountain Club was awarded $86,301 for conservation. These grants sit alongside the foundation’s broader support for Acadia-related stewardship and learning.
How Friends of Acadia Gives
The recent grants show a wide spread in grant size, with a p25 of $8,996, a median of $15,042, and a p75 of $207,439. That mix pairs many smaller education and research awards with a few much larger park-support grants. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals or program-related investments. Recurring support is visible in the recent record. Acadia National Park, Downeast Transportation, and Schoodic Institute at Acadia each appear across multiple years, which points to ongoing support rather than one-time gifts. The grantmaking is project-specific and program-oriented, with awards tied to park protection, transportation, education, and stewardship.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$7.3M
Total Assets
$100.3M
Total Revenue
$12.7M
Total Expenses
$13.6M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $9K and $207K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$207K
Geographic Reach
Regional5 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
William C Eacho
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