Maine Health Access Foundation Inc.

Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF) is the largest independent health philanthropy in Maine, operating from Augusta with $154.4 million in assets and a deeply mission-driven culture. Since 2016, health equity has been the central organizing principle of its grantmaking, and this has intensified with each strategic planning cycle. MeHAF does not fund service delivery or clinical care — it funds systems change, advocacy, and organizational capacity in organizations led by and serving Maine's most underserved populations.

The foundation's strongest preference is for organizations that are community-led by individuals from priority populations: immigrants and New Mainers, BIPOC communities, LGBTQ+ individuals (especially transgender Mainers), people with disabilities, people experiencing substance use disorders, aging adults, and tribal communities. The phrase 'led by' is critical — MeHAF distinguishes between organizations that serve these populations and those whose leadership reflects them. First-time applicants should review their own board and staff demographics honestly before applying to HECB.

Relationship progression varies by program. For the Discretionary Grants program (up to $10,000), the process begins with an online Letter of Interest, followed by a structured conversation with Program Officer Emily Creamer, then a full application if invited. For Community Responsive Grants, the process begins with a direct email to program staff Charles Dwyer or Frank Martinez Nocito — cold applications without prior contact are discouraged. Health Equity Capacity Building grants follow a competitive RFP with multi-year awards; organizations should plan 6–12 months ahead of anticipated cycles.

MeHAF maintains long-term relationships with grantees — the top 50 grantees in the database average 3–4 grants each, suggesting multi-year cohort-style relationships. The foundation's Health Advocacy program (grants awarded January 2023, running through December 31, 2026) exemplifies this: organizations are funded for sustained policy work over multiple years. First-time applicants should treat the Discretionary or Community Responsive programs as entry points, with HECB as the target for established relationships.

MeHAF's annual giving has ranged from $6.7 million to $11.4 million over the past five fiscal years, reflecting both investment market cycles and programmatic expansion. Total giving was $8.78 million in FY2023, $11.36 million in FY2022 (the highest in recent history, driven by elevated grants paid of $8.46M plus Nova Fund startup activity), and $9.51 million in FY2021. FY2020 was the COVID response year at $6.74 million. The FY2024 990 has not yet reported giving figures, but assets grew to $154.4 million from $144.3 million, suggesting investment returns remain strong.

Typical grant size: Median $25,000, average $36,069–$41,283, range $1,000–$475,000. The database documents 528 total grants totaling approximately $21.8 million across the visible grantee pool, with an average of $41,283. The HECB program commits $30,000/year for four years per organization ($140,000 total commitment). Health Advocacy grants for established advocacy organizations have ranged from $50,000 to $100,000+ per cycle.

Geographic concentration: 506 of 528 documented grants (95.8%) went to Maine-based organizations. Seven grants went to Vermont, four to DC, five to Massachusetts, two to New York. Out-of-state grants typically went to national advocacy intermediaries (e.g., DC-based policy groups) or regional technical assistance providers.

Program area breakdown from grantee data: Health Advocacy (highest concentration, with dedicated multi-year cohort), Health Equity Capacity Building (multi-year operating support), Community Responsive Grants (project-based, 1–2 years), Oral Health (emerging sub-focus), SUD/harm reduction (growing), immigrant/New Mainer health (sustained), reproductive health access (consistent). The Nova Fund's 2023–2026 deployment adds approximately $1.5–$3 million per year in supplemental grant activity across new categories.

MeHAF sits in a peer set of regional health foundations with asset bases between $140 million and $160 million, all spun out of hospital conversions or endowed health trusts. What distinguishes MeHAF is its statewide scope, explicit health equity mandate, and the unusually competitive, equity-focused application processes.

MeHAF is the most accessible of these peers for community-based nonprofits — it publishes detailed RFPs, maintains an open grants portal, and has a dedicated grants manager. It also has the clearest equity-first mandate, which both narrows eligibility (organizations must align with priority populations) and reduces competition from mainstream health service providers. Compared to peers, MeHAF's median grant of $25,000 is modest, but its multi-year HECB commitments (up to $140,000 per cohort) and Health Advocacy grants provide meaningful sustained support.

The most significant recent development at MeHAF is the Nova Fund, established after MacKenzie Scott donated just over $9 million in January 2023 — a rare, unsolicited transformational gift. The Board and Community Advisory Committee approved allocating funds across six categories over 3–5 years, with a multi-day planning retreat held in late 2023 to design the Health Justice Movement Building component. This is new territory for MeHAF and represents its most ambitious programming to date.

In November 2025, MeHAF awarded its latest round of Community Responsive Grants to ten organizations, including Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians (reflecting tribal health priority), Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County (rural aging), and United Youth Empowerment Services. The grant period runs December 1, 2025 through November 2026 or 2027.

The Health Advocacy cohort awarded in January 2023 remains active through December 31, 2026, supporting organizations like Consumers for Affordable Health Care, Maine Equal Justice Partners, and Maine Family Planning. A new Health Advocacy RFP cycle is expected in 2026–2027.

For 2026, MeHAF has launched a dedicated Systems Improvement and Innovation Responsive Grants program page, signaling a new competitive cycle. Leadership has been stable: Barbara Leonard has served as President & CEO for multiple years at a compensation of approximately $229,933 (most recent filing), and Toho Soma MPH serves as Board Chair.

Lead with community leadership, not service delivery. MeHAF's language consistently centers organizations that are 'led by individuals from populations that experience inequitable health burdens.' In your narrative, name the specific demographics represented in your leadership team (board, executive director, senior staff) before describing who you serve. Reviewers are trained to look for this.

Use MeHAF's own priority language. The foundation's RFPs use specific phrases: 'health equity,' 'community-led,' 'priority populations,' 'health care access,' 'social determinants of health,' and 'culturally responsive.' Mirror this language throughout — not as boilerplate but to demonstrate genuine alignment.

Time your outreach strategically. Community Responsive Grants applications begin with an email to program staff (Charles Dwyer, Frank Martinez Nocito) — contact them 2–3 months before anticipated deadlines. HECB RFPs are released on irregular cycles; sign up for e-news and set a calendar reminder to check mehaf.org in Q1 each year. CRG award notifications typically come around November 4 for a December 1 grant start.

Don't apply for what MeHAF won't fund. Excluded uses are strict: no direct clinical care costs, no disease-specific awareness campaigns, no capital expenditures, no academic research, no fundraising costs. If more than 20% of your proposed budget touches these categories, rethink the project scope.

Use the Discretionary Grant as an entry point. If your organization is newer or doesn't have a MeHAF relationship, the Discretionary Grant (up to $10,000) offers a lower-stakes introduction. A successful Discretionary grant, executed well with strong reporting, positions you for CRG or HECB in subsequent cycles.

Budget for indirect costs. MeHAF has an explicit Indirect Cost Policy — download and follow it. Including appropriate overhead demonstrates organizational maturity. Budget guidance documents are posted on the funding policies page.

Build multi-year relationships. The top grantees average 3–4 grants each. Plan to be a long-term partner, not a one-time applicant.