Rocking Moon Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Rocking Moon Foundation’s grantmaking is wide-ranging and supports a broad selection of programs and initiatives. It funds community development, education and diseases. Funding for LGBTQ causes focuses on organizations working with at-risk gay, lesbian and transgender youth. 

IP TAKE: This funder tends to prioritize organizations located along the eastern coast of the United States. The foundation lacks transparency restricting information about its interests and strategies. It is a smaller organization that makes limited grants. A tough nut to crack, but a good grassroots funder to know if you can network here.

PROFILE: The Higdon family founded the Rocking Moon Foundation in 2003. Based in Yarmouth, Maine, the foundation maintains a low public profile and does not operate a website or employ a formal staff. Joseph Higdon, who currently serves as the foundation’s president, has been heavily involved in micro-lending and educational initiatives in the Philippines. He also sits on the board of multiple youth mentoring organizations across the United States. According to tax filings, the foundation supports organizations working in the fields of youth education, equal rights and at-risk gay, lesbian, and transgender youth. 

Grants for LGBTQ

Although Rocking Moon does not award many grants each year—generally fewer than 20—it supports plenty of local and grassroots groups through its grantmaking.

Past grantees include Advocates for Youth, which received funding for its Muslim youth and international LGBTQ initiatives and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which received support for its LGBT project. 

Grants for Housing and Homelessness, Community Development

While the foundation does not appear to have a grantmaking program dedicated to homelessness and community development causes, tax filings reveal that Rocking Moon supports youth development and youth organizing in this space.

Past grantees include Ali Forney Center, Knoxville-Knox County Homeless Coalition, Out Maine, Advocates for Youth Inc, and Tree Street Youth.

Grants for Early Childhood Education, K-12 Education, and Higher Education

While tax filings reveal the foundation broadly supports education, without a focused grantmaking program, it is difficult to determine the foundation’s priorities in this area.

Past grantees include Bright Beginnings, the Opportunity Network of New York, Inc., Give2Asia, Tree Street Youth, LearnServe International, and University of Southern Maine Foundation.

Grants for Diseases

The Rocking Moon Foundation funds disease grantmaking in the areas of brain and nervous system disorders, cancer, genetic conditions and birth defects, and immune system diseases.

Past grantees in this space include Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Bailey House, which houses and advocates for people living with HIV and AIDS.

Important Grant Details:

Rocking Moon grants typically range from $20,000 to $70,000. The foundation does not appear to accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funding. An address and phone number are provided below.

PEOPLE:

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

CONTACT:

Rocking Moon Foundation

PO Box 65

Yarmouth, ME 04096-0065

(207) 730-1154