Fore River Foundation

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OVERVIEW: The Fore River Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, environmental conservation, historic preservation, the arts, health, and human services.

IP TAKE: The Fore River Foundation does not maintain a website, which restricts transparency about grantmaking strategies and guidelines. This is a private funder that makes substantial grants to a select few organizations and modest grants to a broader range of recipients. While the majority of its funding goes to Maine-based organizations, it also funds some national organizations whose work aligns with its giving interest. This is not the most accessible funder, as it does not accept unsolicited requests. The family also steers the General E R Educational Foundation.

PROFILE: Established in 1986, the Fore River Foundation is steered by businessman T. Ricardo Quesada, his brother Peter, and other family members. T. Ricardo and Peter run Fore River Company, a real estate company in Maine. T. Ricardo Quesada graduated from University of Virginia in 1971, and attended the university's Graduate School of Architecture. He practiced architecture practiced in Vancouver and Portland, Maine. Quesada went on to found Fore River Company, which focuses on Maine real estate, have acquired/developed a core of properties in South Carolina in the last 20 years. His father was an air force lieutenant general and his mother, a descendant of Joseph Pulitzer. Strandy Ordway Quesada graduated from Wheaton College in 1972.

The foundation does not maintain a website, which makes it difficult to locate further information on its grantmaking strategies. Tax filings suggest the Fore River Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, environmental conservation, historic preservation, the arts, health, and human services.

Grants for Environment

According to tax files, the environment is one of Fore River’s largest grantmaking areas. It primarily funds efforts concerning coastal and marine conservation, land conservation, biodiversity, parks, preserves, and sustainability in Maine, but it has been known to fund broader initiatives by national organizations. Maine grantees include Mount Desert Land and Garden Preserve, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Friends of Acadia, Maine Audubon, and Island Institute. Other grantees include World Wildlife Fund, Earthjustice, Friends of Cedar Mesa, and the Everglades Foundation.

Grants for Education

Based on its tax filings, the Fore River Foundation’s education grantmaking focuses on higher educational and secondary schools with which the family has a personal connection, including University of Maine and its Climate Change Institute. Peter is involved with the institute.

It has also made donations to Deerfield Academy, St. Timothy’s School, Holton Arms School, University of VA Law School, North Yarmouth Academy, and Smith College.

Fore River also sometimes funds nonprofit organizations working in fields related to education and youth, especially literacy and outreach, including the News Literacy Project, Boys and Girls Club, Banner Lake Club, and Hobe Sound Early Learning Center.

Grants for Community Development

The Fore River Foundation broadly funds organizations related to health and human services in its giving area, in particular homelessness, food insecurity, reproductive health and rights, and healthcare access. Grantees include Center for Reproductive Rights, Guttmacher Institute, Mt. Desert Island Hospital, Island Housing Trust, Loaves and Fishes of Hobe Sound, and Jupiter Island Medical Clinic.

Grants for Arts and Culture

The Quesada family have supported places like Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Minnesota, which was spearheaded by Strandy’s parents. Other grantees have included Maine Maritime Museum. They also have an interest in preservation, and have supported Maine Coast Heritage Trust and Bar Harbor Historical Society.

Grants for Health and Human Services

Grantees have included Jupiter Island Medical Clinic, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Family Planning Association of Maine, and Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Important Grant Details:

Grants range from $500 to $100,000. The foundation does not have a website, but grantseekers may learn more about past giving by reviewing the funder’s recent tax filings.

  • The foundation’s giving focuses on Maine, with other grants going to states like Florida and Massachusetts.

  • The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

Direct general questions to (207) 772-6404.

PEOPLE:

Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).

CONTACT:

Fore River Foundation
PO Box 7525
Portland, ME 04112