Leonard C & Mildred F Ferguson Foundation
Canton, OH · EIN 65-6245247. Reported 240 grants totalling $3,773,250 to 120 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Leonard C & Mildred F Ferguson Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $8,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $5,000 and $15,000; the smallest was $500 and the largest $317,500. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine Environmental Education Association | Brunswick, ME | $455,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Highland Community College | Freeport, IL | $317,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Project Drawdown | Pittsburgh, PA | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Shelburne Farms | Shelburne, VT | $150,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Massillon Family YMCA | Massillon, OH | $119,600 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Save the River | Clayton, NY | $115,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| The Thinking Project | Denver, CO | $93,000 | 2 | 1 | 2021 |
| Frederic Remington Art Museum | Ogdensburg, NY | $90,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Pie Ranch | Pescadero, CA | $85,000 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Eastside College Preparatory | East Palo Alto, CA | $84,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Peninsula Open Space Trust | Palo Alto, CA | $80,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Conservancy of Sw Florida | Naples, FL | $76,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Freeport Art Museum | Freeport, IL | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Fresh Approach | Concord, CA | $75,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Nch Healthcare System | Naples, FL | $75,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Peninsula Bridge | Mateo, CA | $65,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Silicon Valley | San Carlos, CA | $65,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Maine Development Foundation | Hallowell, ME | $60,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Lifemoves | Menlo Park, CA | $55,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Save the Children Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund | Fairfield, CT | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Ukraine Relief | Loomis, CA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Village of Navarre | Navarre, OH | $50,000 | 2 | 1 | 2021 |
| Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition | Belfast, ME | $49,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ravenswood Family Health Center | East Palo Alto, CA | $45,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Coastside | Half Moon Bay, CA | $44,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Grace Place | Naples, FL | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Live Earth Farm Discovery Program | Freedom, CA | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Maine Audubon | Falmouth, ME | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Wilderness Center | Wilmot, OH | $29,600 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Sea Change Yoga | Portland, ME | $29,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| St Matthew's House | Naples, FL | $29,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Greater Lovell Land Trust | Lovell, ME | $28,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Growsmart Maine | Augusta, ME | $28,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance | Augusta, ME | $26,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Canton for All People & Crossroads United Methodist | Canton, OH | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Enriching Lives Through Music | San Rafael, CA | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Hearty Roots | Bristol, ME | $25,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Liahona Motu Foundation | Redwood City, CA | $25,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Ogdensburg Boys & Girls Club | Ogdensburg, NY | $25,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Stanford University Center | Stanford, CA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Islesford Boatworks | Islesford, ME | $22,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Merryspring Nature Center | Camden, ME | $22,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Aroostock Mental Health Services | Caribou, ME | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Children's Health Council | Palo Alto, CA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Girlventures | Oakland, CA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Island Readers and Writers | Mount Desert, ME | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Northern Forest Canoe Trail | Waitsfield, VT | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Northern Lighthouse | Mars Hill, ME | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Trekkers | Thomaston, ME | $20,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Peer Health Exchange | San Francisco, CA | $18,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Children's Advocacy of Collier Co | Naples, FL | $18,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Live Earth Farm | Freedom, CA | $17,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Starvista | San Carlos, CA | $17,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Harpswell Heritage Land Trust | Harpswell, ME | $16,700 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Ecology School | Saco, ME | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Hammond Presbyterian Church | Hammond, NY | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Penobscot Theatre Company | Bangor, ME | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Song for Charlie Inc | Pasadena, CA | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Thousand Islands Land Trust | Clayton, NY | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Caring and Serving Together Cast | Canton, OH | $14,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Commquest Services | Canton, OH | $14,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Maine Conservation Alliance | Augusta, ME | $14,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Canal Fulton Public Library | Canal Fulton, OH | $12,600 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Midcoast Literacy | Bath, ME | $11,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Maine Coast Heritage Trust | Topsham, ME | $11,250 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Runnin' for Rhett | Elk Grove, CA | $10,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Allegash Wilderness Waterway Foundation | Portland, ME | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Appalachian Mountain Club | Greenville, ME | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Beyond Barriers Athletic Foundation | Redwood City, CA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| City of Massillon Parks & Recreation Dept | Massillon, OH | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Downeast Salmon Federation | Columbia Falls, ME | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Foodwise | San Francisco, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Live in Peace | E Palo Alto, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Main Street Music Theatre | Brunswick, ME | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries | Stonington, ME | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Maine Gearshare | Portland, ME | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Medical Assistance Foundation | Fairfield, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Thousand Island Art Center | Clayton, NY | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Crossroads United Methodist | Canton, OH | $9,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Locker Project | South Portland, ME | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Maine Maritime Museum | Bath, ME | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Subject to Climate Climate Change for All Educators | Valley Cottage, NY | $8,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Environmental Volunteers | Palo Alto, CA | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Muskingum Watershed Conservatory Foundation | New Philadelphia, OH | $7,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Piscataquis Regional Food Center | Doverfoxcroft, ME | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Preble Street Teen Center | Portland, ME | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Triumph Over Satan Ministries | Massillon, OH | $5,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Akron Canton Regional Food Bank | Akron, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Apex Youth Connection | Biddeford, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Career Apprenticeship and Mentorship Program | Canton, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Downtown Salmon Federation | Columbia Falls, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| High Peaks Alliance | Farmington, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Kidspeace | Ellsworth, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Knox County Homeless Coalition | Rockland, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Maine School of Masonry | Avon, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Massillon Parks & Recreation | Massillon, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Our Climate Common Environental Grant to Support You on Boards | Georgetown, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Outdoor Sport Instiitute | Millinocket, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Seed Money Environmental | Scarborough, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Stark County Historical Society | Canton, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Waterfall Arts | Belfast, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Waterman's Community Center | North Haven, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Legacy Project of Stark | Massillon, OH | $4,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| 317 Main Community Music Center | Yarmouth, ME | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Bowdoin International Music Festival | Brunswick, ME | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Maine Alliance for Arts and Education | Augusta, ME | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Massillon City Health Department | Massillon, OH | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Portland Public Schools | Portland, ME | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Beech Creek Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve | Alliance, OH | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Girls on the Run | Canton, OH | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Canton Symphony Orchestra | Canton, OH | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Harmony House Inc | Akron, OH | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Midcoast Humane Rural Services | Edgecomb, ME | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Ogdensburg Snack Pack Program | Ogdensburg, NY | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition | Akron, OH | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Embracing Futures | Akron, OH | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ohio Valley Forestry Fellowship | Cincinnati, OH | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Arts Are Elementary | Brunswick, ME | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Heritage Christian School | Canton, OH | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| St Lawrence County Community Development | Canton, NY | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
60 of 120 (50%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 56%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Maine Environmental Education Association
For Small Grants to Schools for Supplies for Outside Learning - Massillon Family YMCA
Roof Repair for Dance Studio, Listed Items, Pool Pump and Boiler, Childcare Food - Conservancy of Sw Florida
Outreach Coordinator Position - Frederic Remington Art Museum
Museum Education, Directors Salary and General Fund - Shelburne Farms
Marshall Webb Earth Day Challenge - Pie Ranch
New bathhouse and education programs
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 150 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 54 | $871,000 | $7,750 |
| 2022 | 62 | $828,700 | $8,250 |
| 2023 | 65 | $980,600 | $10,000 |
| 2024 | 59 | $1,092,950 | $6,250 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 29% of this one's giving went to organizations in Maine. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $8,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Maine.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Leonard C & Mildred F Ferguson Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: 4481 Munson Street Nw Ste 100, Canton, OH, 44718. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 65-6245247 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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