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Lesher Family Foundation

EIN 87-1858339 · Rockport, ME

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 32% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

LFF'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER PEOPLE TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN POSITIVELY SHAPING WHERE AND HOW THEY LIVE. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE CREATION OF DYNAMIC, RESILIENT COMMUNITIES BY MAKING GRANTS AND INVESTMENTS IN FOUR FOCUS AREAS: ARTS AND CULTURE, EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND LAND STEWARDSHIP AND COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION. THROUGH ITS GRANTMAKING , THE FOUNDATION PROMOTES EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ACCESS TO THE ARTS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF EQUITABLE, SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC RESOURCES. THE FOUNDATION'S GRANTMAKING IS FOCUSED IN FOUR PRIMARY AREAS:1. ARTS & CULTURE-INCREASING PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE ARTS, DEFENDING FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, AND SUPPORTING DIVERSE AND HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED STORYTELLERS.2. EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT-EXPANDING ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY, CULTURALLY ALIGNED CHILDCARE AND EARLY EDUCATION.3. HOUSING-PROMOTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOMEOWNERSHIP4. LAND STEWARDSHIP & COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
32%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 86%
Employees
5
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$288,749, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 65% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    32% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $81,249 spent. SUMMER AUTHORS SERIES (IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AUTHORS GUILD FOUNDATION)THE FOUNDATION HOSTS THE SUMMER AUTHORS SERIES AT PASCAL HALL IN ROCKPORT, MAINE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AUTHORS GUILD FOUNDATION. THIS FREE, PUBLIC PROGRAM BRINGS NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED WRITERS TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY FOR MODERATED CONVERSATIONS, BOOK SIGNINGS, AND COMMUNITY DINNERS. THE SERIES PROMOTES LITERARY ARTS ACCESS AND ENGAGEMENT IN A RURAL REGION AND OFFERS AN HONORARIUM AND ACCOMMODATIONS TO EACH AUTHOR. THE FOUNDATION COVERS ALL PROGRAM COSTS AND LOGISTICS.
  2. $210,343 spent. RES PUBLIC PARK DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVANCY; THE FOUNDATION IS LEADING THE MULTI-YEAR DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW PUBLIC PARK ON THE FORMER ROCKPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITE IN ROCKPORT, MAINE. THIS INCLUDES FUNDING PARK DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND PROGRAMMING; FACILITATING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT; AND ESTABLISHING A CONSERVANCY TO ENSURE LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE AND COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP. THE FOUNDATION HAS COMMITTED $3 MILLION TOWARD THE PARK'S CAPITAL COSTS AND MANAGES ONGOING PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION HAS COMMITTED $1.5 MILLION TO FUND AN ENDOWMENT SUPPORTING THE PARK'S LONG-TERM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE.
  3. $221,912 spent. BARNSWALLOW BOOKS COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING (TWO LOCATIONS)THE FOUNDATION OPERATES TWO NONPROFIT BOOKSTORES UNDER THE BARNSWALLOW BOOKS NAME TO PROMOTE LITERARY CULTURE AND REVITALIZE SMALL-TOWN MAIN STREETS. IN ADDITION TO SELLING BOOKS, THE STORES HOST FREE, PUBLIC PROGRAMMING SUCH AS AUTHOR READINGS, CHILDREN'S EVENTS, AND WRITING WORKSHOPS. THE SPACES ALSO SERVE AS GATHERING PLACES FOR CIVIC AND CULTURAL DIALOGUE. BOOKSTORE OPERATIONS ARE MISSION-ALIGNED AND FULLY OWNED BY THE FOUNDATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 2022.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.