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Twig Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Twig Foundation

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.

$223k
Granted FY2023
17
Grants FY2023
6
States reached
$35k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead

Read this first · the figures below need context

92% of Twig Foundation’s FY2024 grant dollars went to Maine Community Foundation Inc, not to grantees.

Its money now reaches organizations through that sponsor, which does not report who recommended each grant. FY2024 names 5 organizations directly, so a portfolio cannot be read from it. Everything below is therefore FY2023, the last year Twig Foundation named its own grantees at scale: 11 organizations, $223k. It is dated, not current.

Organizations named directly on the return

14
’19
9
’20
19
’21
12
’22
11
’23
5
’24

Amber years are those where most dollars went to a sponsor.

01What it funds
0192% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2019 to 2024.

Philanthropy$2.6MInternational$603kCivil Rights$120kHealth$87kHousing & Shelter$86kPublic Benefit$62kEducation$56kEnvironment$56kOther$0
02FY2023 · 17 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2023

  • Under $10k8 grants · $56k
  • $10k–50k9 grants · $167k
$10,000
Median grant
6
States reached
$621k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE$35,000
MSF USADOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS$25,000
UNICEF$25,000
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION$20,000
ACTION AGAINST HUNGER$18,000
KNOX COUNTY HOMELESS COALITION$14,000
GOOD SHEPHERD FOOD BANK MAINE$10,000
CARBON180$10,000
FISTULA FOUNDATION$10,000
ACLU$8,000
NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE$8,000
Individual grant recipient$8,000
WALDO COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION$8,000
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH$8,000
TIDES FOUNDATION$7,000
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 (FY19–23, $90k) land where the poverty rate runs at 11%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%WALDO CO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERS: $4k → 13%KNOX COUNTY HOMELESS COALITION: $5k → 11%KNOX COUNTY HOMELESS COALITION: $53k → 11%KNOX COUNTY HOMELESS COALITION: $14k → 11%KNOX COUNTY HOMELESS COALITION: $14k → 11%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

ME
MN
NY
PA
CA
VA
MD
NC
DC
AL
GA
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.

88%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.0M · 25 repeat orgs$145k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +39% since the first grant, against -24% for those funded once.

25 repeat relationships: 16 still active in FY2023, 9 since wound down; 2 grantees were first funded in FY2023 (too recent to call). Read against FY2023, the last year this funder named its own grantees directly; its giving has since run through a sponsor, which reports no donor behind each grant.

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

25
12

Total granted

$1.0M
$85k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+39%
-24%

Still filing today

72%
67%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 75% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $60k went to new ones.

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

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

’19’20’21’22’23’24
InternationalCivil RightsEnvironmentHuman ServicesEducationPublic BenefitOther
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

  • IR
    International Rescue Committee INC
    6× · 2019–2024 · $233k · revenue +67%
  • IJ
    INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION
    6× · 2019–2024 · $118k · revenue +75%
  • The Fistula Foundation
    6× · 2019–2024 · $87k · revenue +74%

Funded once

  • AC
    AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
    one grant, 2021 · $13k
  • NV
    NAACP VOTER RIGHTS FUND
    one grant, 2021 · $10k
  • CC
    COMMON CAUSE EDUCATION FUND
    one grant, 2021 · $10k · revenue +11%
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
American Flood Coalition Inc

To drive transformational adaptation to protect communities across the country from higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding.

Environment
2
American Gas Association

American gas association's (the association) mission is to develop and advocate for informed, innovative, and durable policy that fulfills our nation's energy needs, environmental aspirations and economic potential. we are committed to…

—
3
The Union of Concerned Scientists Inc

The union of concerned scientists puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future.

International
4
Actionaid Usa

Actionaid is an international network building a just, equitable, and sustainable world in solidarity with communities on the frontlines of poverty and injustice. actionaid usa is the u.s. branch of actionaid international, which works in…

Social Science
5
Open Markets Institute

The open markets institute works to help people relearn how to use competition policy to build stronger democracies, more just and equitable societies, more innovative and sustainable economies, and a more secure and peaceful world.

Education
6
Npr Foundation

The npr foundation ("foundation") is organized and operated exclusively for the benefit of its sole supported organization, national public radio, inc. ("npr inc."). the foundation supports npr inc. through various activities such as…

—
7
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners

Founded in 1889, the national association of regulatory utility commisioners (naruc) is a non-profit organization dedicated to representing the state public service commisions who regulate the utilities that provide essential services such…

—
8
American Civil Liberties Union Fund of the District of Columbia

Preservation of civil liberties through litigation and public education.

—
9
CarbonPlan

Improving the transparency and scientific integrity of climate solutions through open data and tools.

Environment
10
American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California

The american civil liberties union of northern california (aclu nc union) defends and advances the principles of freedom, equality and justice contained in the united states constitution. aclu nc union, a california mutual benefit…

—
11
Fair Count Inc

Fair count builds long-term power within historically undercounted communities. with the census as our north star, we use every iteration of civic participation as a catalyst to build a more equitable democracy.

Community Improvement
12
Waterorg

Water.org's goal is to bring safe water and sanitation to the world through access to small, affordable loans.

International
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Action Against Hunger - Usa; the most unlike its peers is International Rescue Committee 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

29 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. 29 of the 41 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)
1
Early backer (in before they grew)
29/29
Grantees still filing
15/29
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Maine Community Foundation Inc: $2,600,754 · PhilanthropyMaine Community Foundation Inc+1 more: $14,000 · PhilanthropyInternational Rescue Committee INC: $233,000 · InternationalInternational Re…INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION: $117,725 · InternationalINTERNATIONAL JU…UNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF: $85,000 · InternationalUNITED STATES FU…HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INC: $43,675 · InternationalHUMAN RIGHTS WAT…MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $37,100 · InternationalMEDECINS SANS FR…ACTION AGAINST HUNGER - USA: $36,000 · InternationalACTION AGAINST H…ACLU: $51,000 · OtherACLUCAMBRIDGE PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION: $50,000 · OtherCAMBRIDGE …MSF USADOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS: $50,000 · OtherMSF USADOC…Individual grant recipient: $25,500 · OtherIndividual…GOOD SHEPHERD FOOD BANK MAINE: $20,000 · OtherGOOD SHEPH…WALDO COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION: $16,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipient: $16,000 · OtherAMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION: $13,000 · OtherGood Shepherd Food Bank: $16,000 · OtherSOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER INC: $16,000 · Other+11 more: $83,000 · Other+11 moreHomeworthy: $86,000 · Human ServicesWALDO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERS: $4,000 · Human ServicesThe Fistula Foundation: $87,000 · HealthNatural Resources Council of Maine Inc: $20,000 · EnvironmentCENTER FOR CARBON REMOVAL: $20,000 · EnvironmentEARTHJUSTICE: $10,000 · EnvironmentFRIENDS OF THE EARTH: $6,000 · EnvironmentYOU CAN VOTE: $21,000 · Civil RightsNEW GEORGIA PROJECT INC: $12,000 · Civil RightsNAACP LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUC FUND INC: $10,000 · Civil RightsPROGEORGIA STATE TABLE INC: $5,000 · Civil RightsNATIONAL REDISTRICTING FOUNDATION: $3,500 · Civil Rights
Philanthropy$2,614,754International$552,500Other$356,500Human Services$90,000Health$87,000Environment$56,000Civil Rights$51,500

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

25%50%75%100%$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetMaine Community Foundation Inc: $2,600,754 over 1y, 1.9% of budgetInternational Rescue Committee INC: $233,000 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetINTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION: $117,725 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetThe Fistula Foundation: $87,000 over 6y, 0.1% of budgetHomeworthy: $86,000 over 4y, 2.4% of budgetUNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF: $85,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetHUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INC: $43,675 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetMEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $37,100 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetACTION AGAINST HUNGER - USA: $36,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetYOU CAN VOTE: $21,000 over 3y, 0.7% of budgetNatural Resources Council of Maine Inc: $20,000 over 5y, 0.2% of budgetCENTER FOR CARBON REMOVAL: $20,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetGood Shepherd Food Bank: $16,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetSOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER INC: $16,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetTIDES FOUNDATION: $14,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetNEW GEORGIA PROJECT INC: $12,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetAMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF PENNSYLVANIA INC: $11,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetCOMMON CAUSE EDUCATION FUND: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetEARTHJUSTICE: $10,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetPRO PUBLICA INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNAACP LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUC FUND INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCenter for Common Ground: $7,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetWIKIMEDIA FOUNDATION INC: $6,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetFRIENDS OF THE EARTH: $6,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetPROGEORGIA STATE TABLE INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT EDUCATION FUND: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBLUEPRINT NORTH CAROLINA: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetWALDO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERS: $4,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL REDISTRICTING FOUNDATION: $3,500 over 1y, 0.1% 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.

Vanguard Charitable E…Donor Advised Charita…Fidelity Investments …Amazonsmile Foundation
Vanguard Charitable Endowment ProgramPA8.8× affinity4 shared granteesties to 3 of 3Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Amazonsmile Foundation

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

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%10%20%30%40%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    3report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–40%
    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 Twig Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to Twig 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 41 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 2023, released 2023. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Twig’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