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John Sage Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

John Sage Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$162k
Granted FY2025still arriving
27
Grants FY2025still arriving
2
States reached
$10k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0199% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Environment$556kAnimals$60kScience & Tech$32kEducation$24kHuman Services$23kArts & Culture$19kRecreation & Sports$13kHealth$10kOther$0
02FY2025 · 27 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k24 grants · $132k
  • $10k–50k3 grants · $30k
$5,000
Median grant
2
States reached
$3.6M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
HIGH PEAKS ALLIANCE$10,000
SAINT JOSEPH'S COLLEGE OF MAINE$10,000
BIGELOW LABORATORY FOR OCEAN SCIENCES$10,000
COBALT$9,000
MERRYMEETING BAY TROUT UNLIMITED$8,000
MAINE APPALACHAIN TRAIL LAND TRUST$8,000
FALMOUTH LAND TRUST$7,500
ALLAGASH WILDERNESS WATERWAY FOUNDATION$7,500
COASTAL MOUNTAINS LAND TRUST$7,500
COASTAL RIVERS CONSERVATION TRUST$7,000
LAKE STEWARDS OF MAINE$6,500
Individual grant recipient$5,000
MAINE COMMUNITY INTEGRATION SCIENCES$5,000
QUEERLY ME$5,000
CAPE ELIZABETH LAND TRUST$5,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY24–25, $8k) land where the poverty rate runs at 7%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 0% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%QUEERLY ME: $5k → 7%YORK READY FOR CLIMATE ACTION: $3k → 9%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

59%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$449k · 32 repeat orgs$311k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +42% since the first grant, against 0% for those funded once.

32 repeat relationships: 10 still active in FY2025, 22 since wound down; 16 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

32
48

Total granted

$449k
$214k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+42%
0%

Still filing today

91%
65%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 40% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $98k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
EnvironmentAnimalsEducationArts & CultureRecreation & SportsHuman ServicesOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • Midcoast Conservancy
    6× · 2017–2025 · $49k · revenue +16%
  • FO
    FRIENDS OF BAXTER STATE PARK
    7× · 2017–2025 · $32k · revenue +49%
  • FB
    Frenchman Bay Conservancy
    2× · 2018–2023 · $26k · revenue +287%

Funded once

  • SW
    SOMERSET WOODS TRUSTEES
    one grant, 2024 · $10k · revenue 0%
  • SR
    SEBASTICOOK REGIONAL LAND TRUST
    one grant, 2024 · $10k · revenue 0%
  • AL
    ANDROSCOGGIN LAND TRUST INCgraduated
    one grant, 2022 · $8k · revenue +52%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Wetlands Foundation
Environment
2
Kennebunk Land Trust

Kennebunk Land Trust's mission is to permanently conserve and steward land to benefit natural and human communities.

Environment
3
Boothbay Region Land Trust

To conserve for the public benefit natural habitat, scenic beauty, and working land of the Boothbay region of Maine by providing stewardship, public access, and environmental programs.

Environment
4
Islesboro Islands Trust

The mission of Islesboro Islands Trust is to enhance the quality of residents' lives through the preservation of open space, educate all residents as to the value of the island's natural ecosystems, and act as an environmental advocate on…

Philanthropy
5
Royal River Conservation Trust

The royal river conservation trust (rrct) is a regional land trust working primarily in seven maine municipalities. the trust owns,cares for, and stewards land and conservation easements to protect land and water resources for the general…

Environment
6
Piscataquog Land Conservancy

The Piscataquog Land Conservancy is a nonprofit land conservation organization founded in 1970. Its purpose is to conserve the natural and scenic environment of the Piscataquog, Souhegan and Nashua River watershed communities of southern…

—
7
Mahoosuc Land Trust Inc

To protect and conserve land and traditional land uses including farming, recreation, significant habitats, scenery, and water resources for the benefit of the public. The organization facilitates community-based conservation.

Environment
8
Presumpscot Regional Land Trust

We engage with communities to conserve, steward, and provide access to local lands and clean water for current and future generations to enjoy.

—
9
Protect Maine's Fishing Heritage Foundation
Environment
10
Upper Saco Valley Land Trust

The Organization works with local landowners to permanently protect natural land and waters that define its community and enrich the quality of life by purchasing, managing, negotiating and developing conservations easements in the Upper…

Food & Nutrition
11
Harpswell Heritage Land Trust

Land Conservation, Trails and Public Access, Education

Environment
12
Eastern Maine Conservation Initiative

The Eastern Maine Conservation Initiative (EMCI) is a non-profit organization with broad conservation interests that seeks to: 1) Foster environmentally sustainable communities of the eastern Maine coast; 2) Encourage an appreciation of…

Animals
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Midcoast Conservancy; the most unlike its peers is York Ready for Climate Action. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

73 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2026.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2026, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 73 of the 96 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
20
Early backer (in before they grew)
70/73
Grantees still filing
42/73
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Midcoast Conservancy: $49,000 · EnvironmentMidcoast ConservancyFRIENDS OF BAXTER STATE PARK: $31,500 · EnvironmentFRIENDS OF BAXTER STATE PARKFrenchman Bay Conservancy: $26,300 · EnvironmentFrenchman Bay ConservancyTHE ALLAGASH WILDERNESS WATERWAY FOUNDATION: $23,500 · EnvironmentTHE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND: $21,000 · Environment30 Mile River Watershed Association: $17,500 · EnvironmentCoastal Mountains Land Trust: $17,500 · EnvironmentLAKE STEWARDS OF MAINE - MAINE VOLUNTEER LAKE MONITORING PROGRAM: $15,600 · Environment+39 more: $263,950 · Environment+39 moreMAINE APPALACHAIN TRAIL LAND TRUST: $19,000 · OtherMAINE APPALACHAIN TRAIL LAND…Cobscook Community Learning Center: $17,500 · OtherCobscook Community Learning …SAINT JOSEPH'S COLLEGE OF MAINE: $16,000 · OtherSAINT JOSEPH'S COLLEGE OF MA…COBALT: $14,000 · OtherCOBALTMERRYMEETING BAY TROUT UNLIMITED: $8,000 · OtherSOMERSET COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT: $8,000 · OtherWOMEN FOR HEALTHY RURAL LIVING: $10,000 · Other+26 more: $99,700 · Other+26 moreDOWNEAST SALMON FEDERATION: $12,500 · AnimalsGULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE: $8,000 · AnimalsDOWNEAST INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED MARINE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION INC: $5,000 · AnimalsTHE CENTER FOR WILDLIFE: $4,500 · AnimalsAtlantic Salmon Federation (US) Inc: $2,000 · AnimalsMarine Mammals of Maine: $13,750 · Arts & CultureWABANAKI CULTURAL PRESERVATION COALITION: $5,500 · Arts & CultureMAINE NATURAL HISTORY OBSERVATORY: $5,000 · Arts & CultureMAINE CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEREST REPORTING: $3,000 · Arts & CultureUnity Environmental University: $7,500 · EducationTrustees of Saint Joseph's College Saint Joseph's College of Maine: $5,460 · EducationWhite Pine Programs: $2,500 · EducationMaine Philanthropy Center: $1,230 · EducationBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences: $13,500 · Science & TechHIGH PEAKS ALLIANCE: $10,000 · Recreation & SportsEastern Trail Alliance: $2,500 · Recreation & Sports
Environment$465,850Other$192,200Animals$32,000Arts & Culture$27,250Education$16,690Science & Tech$13,500Recreation & Sports$12,500

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetMidcoast Conservancy: $49,000 over 6y, 0.8% of budgetFRIENDS OF BAXTER STATE PARK: $31,500 over 7y, 1.3% of budgetFrenchman Bay Conservancy: $26,300 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetTHE ALLAGASH WILDERNESS WATERWAY FOUNDATION: $23,500 over 4y, 7.0% of budgetTHE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND: $21,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budget30 Mile River Watershed Association: $17,500 over 3y, 4.0% of budgetCobscook Community Learning Center: $17,500 over 3y, 0.7% of budgetCoastal Mountains Land Trust: $17,500 over 3y, 0.3% of budgetLAKE STEWARDS OF MAINE - MAINE VOLUNTEER LAKE MONITORING PROGRAM: $15,600 over 3y, 1.3% of budgetNORTHEAST WILDERNESS TRUST CORPORATION: $15,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetMarine Mammals of Maine: $13,750 over 2y, 2.1% of budgetBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences: $13,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetKENNEBEC ESTUARY LAND TRUST: $12,700 over 3y, 0.4% of budgetBLUE HILL HERITAGE TRUST: $12,500 over 2y, 0.7% of budgetForest Society of Maine: $12,500 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetDOWNEAST SALMON FEDERATION: $12,500 over 2y, 0.7% of budgetGREATER LOVELL LAND TRUST INC: $12,000 over 2y, 0.9% of budgetMaine Appalachian Trail Land Trust: $10,000 over 2y, 3.4% of budgetWOMEN FOR HEALTHY RURAL LIVING: $10,000 over 4y, 0.8% of budgetSOMERSET WOODS TRUSTEES: $10,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetHIGH PEAKS ALLIANCE: $10,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetMaine Coast Heritage Trust: $10,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetSEBASTICOOK REGIONAL LAND TRUST: $10,000 over 1y, 4.8% of budgetMAINE TREE FOUNDATION: $9,000 over 2y, 0.8% of budgetANDROSCOGGIN LAND TRUST INC: $8,000 over 1y, 2.8% of budgetGULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE: $8,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetBrunswick-Topsham Land Trust Inc: $8,000 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetWild Seed Project: $7,500 over 2y, 1.0% of budgetFALMOUTH CONSERVATION TRUST DBA FALMOUTH LAND TRUST: $7,500 over 1y, 1.0% of budgetUnity Environmental University: $7,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHREE RIVERS LAND TRUST: $7,500 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetCoastal Rivers Conservation Trust: $7,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetMaine Audubon Society: $6,500 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetCHINA REGION LAKES ALLIANCE: $6,500 over 2y, 11% of budgetWABANAKI CULTURAL PRESERVATION COALITION: $5,500 over 2y, 1.1% of budgetTrustees of Saint Joseph's College Saint Joseph's College of Maine: $5,460 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCape Elizabeth Land Trust: $5,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetINLAND WOODS TRAILS: $5,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetChebeague & Cumberland Land Trust: $5,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetMaine Farmland Trust: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetLoon Echo Land Trust Inc: $5,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetTHE KENNEBEC LAND TRUST: $5,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetFRIENDS OF CASCO BAY: $5,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetDOWNEAST INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED MARINE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetTHOMPSON LAKE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATION INC: $5,000 over 3y, 1.1% of budgetQUEERLY ME: $5,000 over 1y, 4.6% of budgetWOODIE WHEATON LAND TRUST: $5,000 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetMAINE NATURAL HISTORY OBSERVATORY: $5,000 over 1y, 3.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Davis Conservation Fo…Maine Community Found…Onion FoundationMorton-Kelly Charitab…Elmina B Sewall Found…Quimby Family Foundat…The Nature ConservancyMomentum ConservationFields Pond Foundatio…Maine Coast Heritage …Horizon Foundation IncStephen & Tabitha Kin…
Davis Conservation FoundationME109.8× affinity51 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Davis Conservation Foundation · Maine Community Foundation Inc · Onion Foundation · Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust · Elmina B Sewall Foundation · Quimby Family Foundation · The Nature Conservancy · Momentum Conservation · Fields Pond Foundation Inc · Maine Coast Heritage Trust · Horizon Foundation Inc · Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation Inc

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization John Sage Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from John Sage Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%1%4%8%15%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →median 2%
  • Northeast Wilderness Trust Corporation: 2% of income from government
  • Appalachian Mountain Club: 1% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
0get no government money at all
22report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
05Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to John Sage Foundation?

Find your warmest path to John Sage Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 96 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on John Sage’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home