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The Penobscot Fund at a glance

· Private foundation

The Penobscot Fund

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$150k
Granted FY2024still arriving
3
Grants FY2024still arriving
2
States reached
$50k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0195% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Food & Nutrition$336kHuman Services$175kCivil Rights$151kEnvironment$50kHealth$40kHousing & Shelter$30kArts & Culture$28kEmployment$28kOther$0
02FY2024 · 3 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

$50,000
Median grant
2
States reached
$1.4M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
SHARE OUR STRENGTHNO KID HUNGRY$50,000
GOOD FOUNDATION$50,000
CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS$50,000
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 (FY17–24, $252k) land where the poverty rate runs at 17%, against an area that typically sits at 12%. 97% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 12%FAMILY RESOURCES OF COLUMBIA COUNTY: $5k → 11%GOOD FOUNDATION: $50k → 17%FAMILY RESOURCES OF COLUMBIA COUNTY: $3k → 11%GOOD FOUNDATION: $50k → 17%GOOD FOUNDATION: $50k → 17%REDHOOK INITIATIVE: $10k → 20%PINE STREET INN: $5k → 16%REDHOOK INITIATIVE: $10k → 20%PINE STREET INN: $5k → 16%REDHOOK INITIATIVE: $8k → 20%WOMEN IN NEED: $3k → 17%CHiPs: $7k → 20%CHiPs: $5k → 20%CHARITY WATER: $3k → 17%HOT BREAD KITCHEN: $10k → 17%HOT BREAD KITCHEN: $10k → 17%HOT BREAD KITCHEN: $8k → 17%HORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN: $5k → 16%HORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN: $4k → 16%HOME FOR LITTLE WANDERERS: $3k → 16%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.

Which US states its grants reach

IL
NY
MA
PA
CA
CO
VA
DC
TX
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.

81%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$787k · 20 repeat orgs$181k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +63% since the first grant, against +48% for those funded once.

20 repeat relationships: 3 still active in FY2024, 17 since wound down.

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

20
25

Total granted

$787k
$181k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+63%
+48%

Still filing today

85%
72%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 100% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $0 went to new ones.

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

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

’17’18’19’20’22’23’24
Human ServicesFood & NutritionArts & CultureCivil RightsHealthEnvironmentOther
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

  • GB
    GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK INC
    4× · 2017–2020 · $63k · revenue +89%
  • RH
    RED HOOK INITIATIVE
    3× · 2018–2020 · $28k · revenue +50%
  • HB
    HOT BREAD KITCHEN LTD
    3× · 2017–2019 · $28k · revenue +61%

Funded once

  • Central Texas Food Bank Inc
    one grant, 2020 · $25k · revenue -28%
  • KA
    KEEP AUSTIN FEDgraduated
    one grant, 2020 · $25k · revenue +51%
  • NEIGHBORS TOGETHER CORPORATION
    one grant, 2020 · $20k · revenue -38%
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
West Side Center for Community Life

To pursue anti-hunger initiatives through the west side campaign against hunger (wscah) program whose mission is to alleviate hunger by ensuring that all new yorkers have access with dignity to a choice of healthy food and supportive…

Youth Development
2
Hunger Solutions New York Inc

We strive to maximize participation in, and support for, federally funded nutrition assistance programs including supplemental nutrition assistance program (snap), the school breakfast program and national school lunch program, the summer…

Food & Nutrition
3
The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri

The food bank for central & northeast missouri is a regional disaster and hunger relief network that acquires and distributes millions of meals each year to help neighbors get the food they need to thrive. (continued on schedule o)the…

Food & Nutrition
4
Food Bank for New York City

Food bank for nyc has been the city's major hunger-relief organization driven by our mission to empower every new yorker to achieve food security for good. we harness the collective power of our network of food providers, partners, and…

Community Improvement
5
Island Harvest Ltd

The mission of island harvest is to end hunger and reduce food waste on long island.

Human Services
6
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank

Our mission is to solve hunger in central pennsylvania by ensuring that everyone struggling with hunger has access to enough wholesome food every day. we will achieve this bold goal with the help of our generous donors, volunteers and…

Food & Nutrition
7
The Bronx Parent Housing Network Inc

Bronx parent housing network is committed to making a difference in solving the housing problem in new york city by transforming lives and creating holistic paths to employment so that individuals and families can secure safe, clean,…

Human Services
8
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York Inc

To lead a network of partners to alleviate hunger, prevent food waste, and nourish the communities we serve. our vision is that all people have the nutritious food they need to thrive.

Food & Nutrition
9
Brooklyn Community Foundation

Spark lasting social justice change, mobilizing people, capital, & expertise for a fair brooklyn.

Philanthropy
10
United Food Bank

United Food Bank unites communities to alleviate hunger.

Food & Nutrition
11
Feeding San Diego

On a mission to connect every person facing hunger with nutritious meals by maximizing food rescue. through direct service and community partnerships, feeding san diego provides more than 26 million meals each year to children, families,…

Food & Nutrition
12
Boston Harbor Now Inc

Our mission is to ensure that the people of greater boston benefit from a vibrant, resilient, and inclusive waterfront, harbor, and islands; these spaces are equitable, accessible, and adapted to climate change; and to ensure our public,…

Environment
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Neighbors Together Corporation; the most unlike its peers is Charity Global Inc. 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

35 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

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 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 35 of the 45 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)
7
Early backer (in before they grew)
35/35
Grantees still filing
25/35
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

SHARE OUR STRENGTH: $180,000 · OtherSHARE OUR STRENGTHGREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK INC: $63,000 · OtherGREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK INCAZUERO EARTH PROJECT: $22,500 · OtherNEIGHBORS TOGETHER CORPORATION: $20,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipient: $17,500 · Other+17 more: $123,936 · Other+17 moreGOOD PLUS FOUNDATION INC: $150,000 · Human ServicesGOOD PLUS FOUNDATION INCRED HOOK INITIATIVE: $27,500 · Human ServicesRED HOOK INITIATIVEHOT BREAD KITCHEN LTD: $27,500 · Human ServicesHOT BREAD KITCHEN LTDCOMMUNITY HELP IN PARK SLOPE INC: $12,000 · Human ServicesPINE STREET INN INC: $10,000 · Human ServicesHORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN: $9,000 · Human Services+4 more: $15,500 · Human Services+4 moreTHE CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS INC: $150,000 · Civil RightsTHE CENTER FOR RE…+1 more: $1,000 · Civil RightsCentral Texas Food Bank Inc: $25,000 · Food & NutritionKEEP AUSTIN FED: $25,000 · Food & NutritionBROOKLINE FOOD PANTRY INC: $20,000 · Food & NutritionGREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY: $3,000 · Food & NutritionACHROMA CORPORATION: $30,000 · HealthEVERY MOTHER COUNTS: $5,000 · HealthTHE MUSEUM OF FOOD AND DRINK: $8,000 · Arts & CulturePRO PUBLICA INC: $5,000 · Arts & CultureBROOKLINE MUSIC SCHOOL INC: $3,000 · Arts & CultureFLYING DEER NATURE CENTER: $10,000 · EnvironmentCOLUMBIA LAND CONSERVANCY INC: $5,000 · Environment
Other$426,936Human Services$251,500Civil Rights$151,000Food & Nutrition$73,000Health$35,000Arts & Culture$16,000Environment$15,000

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 budgetSHARE OUR STRENGTH: $180,000 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetTHE CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS INC: $150,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetGOOD PLUS FOUNDATION INC: $150,000 over 3y, 0.3% of budgetGREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK INC: $63,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetACHROMA CORPORATION: $30,000 over 3y, 18% of budgetRED HOOK INITIATIVE: $27,500 over 3y, 0.3% of budgetHOT BREAD KITCHEN LTD: $27,500 over 3y, 0.2% of budgetCentral Texas Food Bank Inc: $25,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetKEEP AUSTIN FED: $25,000 over 1y, 1.6% of budgetNEIGHBORS TOGETHER CORPORATION: $20,000 over 1y, 1.2% of budgetBROOKLINE FOOD PANTRY INC: $20,000 over 3y, 1.2% of budgetGREATER BOSTON LEGAL SERVICES INC: $13,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetTRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY: $13,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetCOMMUNITY HELP IN PARK SLOPE INC: $12,000 over 2y, 0.5% of budgetFLYING DEER NATURE CENTER: $10,000 over 1y, 2.1% of budgetPINE STREET INN INC: $10,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF NORTHEASTERN NEW YORK INC: $9,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetHORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN: $9,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetAKASHINGA INC: $7,500 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetROSIE'S PLACE INC: $7,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetEVERY MOTHER COUNTS: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetINTERNATIONAL WILDERNESS LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetPRO PUBLICA INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCOLUMBIA LAND CONSERVANCY INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK CONSERVANCY INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetTHE HOME FOR LITTLE WANDERERS INC: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBROOKLINE MUSIC SCHOOL INC: $3,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetGREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCHARITY GLOBAL INC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWOMEN IN NEED INC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetUNIVERSITY SETTLEMENT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK: $1,936 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetREFUGEE & IMMIGRANT CENTER FOR EDUCATION & LEGAL SERVICES: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% 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.

Eugene M Lang Foundat…The New York Communit…Gs Donor Advised Phil…Verizon FoundationThe Pfizer Foundation…Jpmorgan Chase Founda…Network for GoodThe Blackbaud Giving …The Bank of America C…Vanguard Charitable E…American Endowment Fo…National Philanthropi…
Eugene M Lang FoundationNY13.5× affinity4 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Eugene M Lang Foundation · The New York Community Trust · Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund for Wealth Management Inc · Verizon Foundation · The Pfizer Foundation Inc · Jpmorgan Chase Foundation · Network for Good · The Blackbaud Giving Fund · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · American Endowment Foundation · National Philanthropic Trust

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 The Penobscot Fund funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Penobscot Fund. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%13%25%38%50%share of the org’s income from government →median 12%
  • The Home for Little Wanderers Inc: 38% of income from government
  • Greater Boston Food Bank Inc: 22% of income from government
  • Horizons for Homeless Children: 21% of income from government
  • Trustees of Boston University: 12% of income from government
  • Pine Street Inn Inc: 11% of income from government
  • Greater Boston Legal Services Inc: 3% of income from government
  • Brookline Music School Inc: 1% of income from government
  • Rosie's Place Inc: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
1get no government money at all
9report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–50%
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.

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 45 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 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Penobscot’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