Leonard C & Mildred F Ferguson Foundation
Canton, OH · EIN 65-6245247. Reported 308 grants totalling $11.0M to 145 recipients across tax years 2021-2025. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Leonard C & Mildred F Ferguson Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $9,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $5,000 and $17,000; the smallest was $500 and the largest $4,836,562. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Ferguson Foundation | Canton, OH | $4,836,562 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Conservancy of Sw Florida | Naples, FL | $1,076,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Highland Community College | Freeport, IL | $635,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Maine Environmental Education Association | Brunswick, ME | $555,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Project Drawdown | Pittsburgh, PA | $300,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Shelburne Farms | Shelburne, VT | $200,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Wilderness Center | Wilmot, OH | $147,600 | 5 | 4 | 2025 |
| Massillon Family YMCA | Massillon, OH | $146,600 | 9 | 5 | 2025 |
| Eastside College Preparatory | East Palo Alto, CA | $132,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Save the River | Clayton, NY | $115,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Peninsula Open Space Trust | Palo Alto, CA | $110,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Fresh Approach | Concord, CA | $100,000 | 6 | 5 | 2025 |
| Peninsula Bridge | Mateo, CA | $95,000 | 6 | 5 | 2025 |
| The Thinking Project | Denver, CO | $93,000 | 2 | 1 | 2021 |
| Frederic Remington Art Museum | Ogdensburg, NY | $90,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Silicon Valley | San Carlos, CA | $90,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Pie Ranch | Pescadero, CA | $85,000 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Freeport Art Museum | Freeport, IL | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Nch Healthcare System | Naples, FL | $75,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition | Belfast, ME | $64,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Lifemoves | Menlo Park, CA | $60,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Maine Development Foundation | Hallowell, ME | $60,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Ravenswood Family Health Center | East Palo Alto, CA | $60,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Give Direct | New York, NY | $55,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Save the Children Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund | Fairfield, CT | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Ukraine Relief | Loomis, CA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Village of Navarre | Navarre, OH | $50,000 | 2 | 1 | 2021 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Coastside | Half Moon Bay, CA | $44,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Sea Change Yoga | Portland, ME | $44,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Children's Health Council | Palo Alto, CA | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Enriching Lives Through Music | San Rafael, CA | $40,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Liahona Motu Foundation | Redwood City, CA | $35,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Thousand Islands Land Trust | Clayton, NY | $35,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Growsmart Maine | Augusta, ME | $34,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance | Augusta, ME | $32,340 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Islesford Boatworks | Islesford, ME | $32,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Grace Place | Naples, FL | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Live Earth Farm Discovery Program | Freedom, CA | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Maine Audubon | Falmouth, ME | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Northern Forest Canoe Trail | Waitsfield, VT | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Penobscot Theatre Company | Bangor, ME | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| St Matthew's House | Naples, FL | $29,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Greater Lovell Land Trust | Lovell, ME | $28,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Foodwise | San Francisco, CA | $27,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Merryspring Nature Center | Camden, ME | $27,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Canton for All People & Crossroads United Methodist | Canton, OH | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Hearty Roots | Bristol, ME | $25,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Island Readers and Writers | Mount Desert, ME | $25,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Ogdensburg Boys & Girls Club | Ogdensburg, NY | $25,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Stanford University Center | Stanford, CA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Trekkers | Thomaston, ME | $25,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| University of Maine | Orono, ME | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| University of Vermont Medical Center | Burlington, VT | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Ecology School | Saco, ME | $22,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Aroostock Mental Health Services | Caribou, ME | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Girlventures | Oakland, CA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Northern Lighthouse | Mars Hill, ME | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Oakland Public Education Fund | Oakland, CA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Peer Health Exchange | San Francisco, CA | $18,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Children's Advocacy of Collier Co | Naples, FL | $18,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Canal Fulton Public Library | Canal Fulton, OH | $17,700 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Live Earth Farm | Freedom, CA | $17,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Starvista | San Carlos, CA | $17,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Harpswell Heritage Land Trust | Harpswell, ME | $16,700 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Midcoast Literacy | Bath, ME | $16,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Apex Youth Connection | Biddeford, ME | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Coastside Hope | Half Moon Bay, CA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Downeast Salmon Federation | Columbia Falls, ME | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Hammond Presbyterian Church | Hammond, NY | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Kids Cooking for Life | Larkspur, CA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Live Earth Farm Discovery | Freedom, CA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Main Street Music Theatre | Brunswick, ME | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Song for Charlie Inc | Pasadena, CA | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Caring and Serving Together Cast | Canton, OH | $14,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Commquest Services | Canton, OH | $14,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Maine Conservation Alliance | Augusta, ME | $14,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Preble Street Teen Center | Portland, ME | $13,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Locker Project | South Portland, ME | $12,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Maine Coast Heritage Trust | Topsham, ME | $11,250 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Beyond Barriers Athletic Foundation | Redwood City, CA | $11,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Runnin' for Rhett | Elk Grove, CA | $10,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Allegash Wilderness Waterway Foundation | Portland, ME | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Appalachian Mountain Club | Greenville, ME | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| City of Massillon Parks & Recreation Dept | Massillon, OH | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Fractured Atlas | New York, NY | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Live in Peace | E Palo Alto, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries | Stonington, ME | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Maine Gearshare | Portland, ME | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Maine Needs | Portland, ME | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Mckinley Presidential Library & Museum | Canton, OH | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Medical Assistance Foundation | Fairfield, IA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Nuestra CASA De East Palo Alto | East Palo Alto, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Stand Up for Kids Orange County | Costa Mesa, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Thousand Island Art Center | Clayton, NY | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Waterman's Community Center | North Haven, ME | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| 317 Main Community Music Center | Yarmouth, ME | $9,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Crossroads United Methodist | Canton, OH | $9,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Maine Maritime Museum | Bath, ME | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Subject to Climate Climate Change for All Educators | Valley Cottage, NY | $8,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Environmental Volunteers | Palo Alto, CA | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Triumph Over Satan Ministries | Massillon, OH | $7,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Muskingum Watershed Conservatory Foundation | New Philadelphia, OH | $7,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Beech Creek Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve | Alliance, OH | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Piscataquis Regional Food Center | Doverfoxcroft, ME | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Akron Canton Regional Food Bank | Akron, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Career Apprenticeship and Mentorship Program | Canton, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Career Apprenticeship and Mentorship Program Camp | Canton, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Caring and Serving Together | Canton, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Downtown Salmon Federation | Columbia Falls, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Girls on the Run | Canton, OH | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| High Peaks Alliance | Farmington, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ideastream Public Media | Cleveland, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Kidspeace | Ellsworth, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Knox County Homeless Coalition | Rockland, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry | Ellsworth, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Maine School of Masonry | Avon, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Massillon Parks & Recreation | Massillon, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Our Climate Common Environental Grant to Support You on Boards | Georgetown, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Outdoor Sport Instiitute | Millinocket, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Seed Money Environmental | Scarborough, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Stark County Historical Society | Canton, OH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Sundog Outdoor Leadership | Camden, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Tedford Housing | Brunswick, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Thompson Lake Environmental Association | Oxford, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Waterfall Arts | Belfast, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Legacy Project of Stark | Massillon, OH | $4,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Bowdoin International Music Festival | Brunswick, ME | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Healthy Island Project | Stonington, ME | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Heart of Maine Resource Center | Dexter, ME | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Maine Alliance for Arts and Education | Augusta, ME | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Massillon City Health Department | Massillon, OH | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Massilon Lion's Club | Massillon, OH | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Portland Public Schools | Portland, ME | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Canton Symphony Orchestra | Canton, OH | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Harmony House Inc | Akron, OH | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Midcoast Humane Rural Services | Edgecomb, ME | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Northeastern Ohio Forestry Association | Salem, OH | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Ogdensburg Snack Pack Program | Ogdensburg, NY | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition | Akron, OH | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Embracing Futures | Akron, OH | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ohio Valley Forestry Fellowship | Cincinnati, OH | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| SEW4SERVICE | Medina, OH | $1,400 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Arts Are Elementary | Brunswick, ME | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Heritage Christian School | Canton, OH | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| St Lawrence County Community Development | Canton, NY | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
70 of 145 (48%) received money in more than one year over the 5 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 57%, across 4 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Highland Community College
Concert Grand Piano and Fine Arts Program - Maine Environmental Education Association
For Small Grants to Schools for Supplies for Outside Learning - Wilderness Center
Grant to Help with Land Purchase, Conservation - Massillon Family YMCA
Roof Repair for Dance Studio, Listed Items, Pool Pump and Boiler, Childcare Food - Conservancy of Sw Florida
Outreach Coordinator Position - Give Direct
LA Fire Relief for Poorest Families and Individuals
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 193 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 54 | $871,000 | $7,750 |
| 2022 | 62 | $828,700 | $8,250 |
| 2023 | 65 | $980,600 | $10,000 |
| 2024 | 59 | $1,092,950 | $6,250 |
| 2025 | 68 | $7,238,402 | $10,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
49% of its giving went to organizations in Ohio. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $9,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Ohio.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Leonard C & Mildred F Ferguson Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2021-2025). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: 4481 Munson Street Nw Ste 100, Canton, OH, 44718. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 65-6245247 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email [email protected] and we will correct it.