Maine grants for County governments

The Public Art Learning Fund, administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), is designed to fortify the public art landscape across New England by offering professional development opportunities directly to artists. NEFA's overarching mission, as reflected in this grant, is to cultivate more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant public spaces and public life throughout the region. This initiative aligns with NEFA's strategic goal of fostering a sustainable and equitable public art ecosystem by investing in the skills, resources, and connections of artists working in the public realm. The primary beneficiaries of this fund are artists residing full-time in one of the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) who are actively engaged in public artmaking or are in the process of expanding their practice into this domain. The fund aims to empower these artists, contributing to more just and inclusive public art. Expected outcomes include artists developing enhanced skills and resources, leading to the creation of more vibrant public spaces and a stronger regional community of practice. The Public Art Learning Fund prioritizes opportunities that specifically expand an artist's public art practice and contribute equitably to more just and inclusive public artmaking. NEFA seeks clarity on desired learnings and their application to the artist's practice. The fund welcomes artists at various stages of their public artmaking careers from urban, suburban, and rural communities, recognizing that diverse cultural and artistic expressions are crucial for equitable and vibrant public spaces. A key focus of this grant is equity. NEFA acknowledges that various barriers, including race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, and geography, can limit access to professional development. Therefore, the Public Art Learning Fund actively prioritizes equity in its funding decisions. This may include, but is not limited to, prioritizing artists who self-identify as Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and/or those who are rooted in rural communities, aligning with NEFA's theory of change that targeted support can address systemic inequities and build a more inclusive artistic landscape. Grants range from $500 to $3,000 and support opportunities taking place between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Eligible applicants must also have a Creative Ground profile, and the proposed professional development must directly relate to strengthening their public art practice and occur within the grant period. These measurable results, such as the number of artists served and the nature of their professional development, contribute to NEFA's broader strategic aim of fostering a more equitable and sustainable public art ecosystem in New England.

Aimed at supporting the acquisition, development, and maintenance of carry-in boat launches, this grant opportunity is offered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands. It seeks to enhance public access to Maine's waterways for carry-in recreational boating. A key requirement for project eligibility is a pre-approval site inspection by state staff. The funding cap for eligible carry-in project costs is $25,000.

The Welch Charitable Fund, administered by the Maine Community Foundation, supports organizations within the Greater Portland area, specifically Cumberland County, Maine. This grant program aligns with the foundation's mission to foster community well-being by prioritizing nonprofits dedicated to youth, education, healthcare, alcohol and substance abuse rehabilitation, and arts and culture. The fund aims to provide grants that either increase the scope (number of people or services) or improve the efficiency and effectiveness of organizations, as well as support new or expanded projects that address community needs in these focus areas. The target beneficiaries of the Welch Charitable Fund are individuals residing in the Greater Portland area, with a particular focus on youth. The fund seeks to impact these beneficiaries by supporting projects that promote their development, health, and access to educational and cultural opportunities. Through strategic funding, the foundation aims to contribute to a healthier, more educated, and culturally enriched community, ultimately addressing critical social issues such as substance abuse. The priorities and focuses of the Welch Charitable Fund are clearly defined: education, health care, youth development, recovery from substance use disorder, and arts and culture. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its commitment to funding initiatives that directly address these areas, recognizing their interconnectedness in fostering a vibrant and resilient community. The theory of change behind this grant program is that by investing in these key sectors, the foundation can empower local organizations to deliver vital services and programs, leading to positive and lasting changes for individuals and the community as a whole. The expected outcomes of the grants include an expanded reach of services, improved organizational efficiency, and the successful implementation of new projects. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the scope and effectiveness improvements, the focus on increased numbers of people served and enhanced organizational performance suggests a commitment to tangible impact. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, municipalities, public schools, public agencies, and Indian tribal governments, with a grant size ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, underscoring the foundation's dedication to supporting a diverse array of community-serving entities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community and non-profit public water systems in Maine for implementing security measures to protect essential water infrastructure.

The Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program – Facility Acquisitions, offered by Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI), aims to support the expansion and improvement of child care services in Maine. This program specifically targets businesses acquiring an existing child care operation, with a focus on increasing enrollment and enhancing facility quality. While a specific foundation mission or theory of change is not explicitly detailed, CEI's overall mission, as implied by the nature of this grant, likely revolves around fostering community development, supporting local businesses, and ensuring access to essential services like child care, particularly in underserved regions. The alignment suggests a strategic effort to strengthen the child care infrastructure, which is crucial for economic stability and family well-being. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are existing child care businesses in Aroostook, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Washington Counties in Maine, that are undergoing an acquisition. The impact goals are clearly defined: to facilitate a minimum 25% increase in enrollment within four months of the transaction and to enable improvements in facility quality and capacity. By supporting these acquisitions, the program intends to stabilize and grow the supply of child care, thereby serving more families and children in the targeted counties. Priority areas for this grant include applications from the aforementioned specific counties in Maine. Additionally, bonus points are awarded to applicants who commit to providing care for infants and toddlers, serving families eligible for subsidy, and participating in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. These priorities highlight a strategic focus on addressing critical gaps in child care services, particularly for vulnerable populations and age groups, and ensuring nutritional support for children. The grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, can cover up to 50% of eligible costs, with a maximum award of $25,000 for acquiring furniture, fixtures, and enrollment of an existing business. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in child care slots, improved quality of facilities through light renovations, and enhanced operational capabilities. Funds can be used for purchasing educational materials, fees for existing business practices, expanding enrollment, light renovations, acquiring additional indoor activities, enhancing outdoor spaces, procuring health and safety supplies, and ensuring sufficient working capital for the first month. These measurable results contribute directly to the program’s goal of expanding access to quality child care. While the explicit "Foundation's strategic priorities" are not detailed, the grant's design implicitly reflects a strategy to leverage private sector activity (business acquisitions) to achieve public good outcomes (expanded child care access and quality). This approach suggests a theory of change where targeted financial support and incentives for business growth lead to improved social infrastructure. The program's emphasis on specific counties and services (infant/toddler care, subsidized families, USDA program participation) indicates a strategic allocation of resources to areas and populations with the greatest need, aiming for a ripple effect of positive community and economic development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to public institutions in Maine for the establishment of durable greenhouses that enhance community food systems and educational initiatives while promoting climate and food security goals.

This grant provides funding to Maine-based organizations and communities for projects that celebrate and educate about the state's historical contributions in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, governments, and educational institutions in the Northeast to restore and sustain healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands that benefit diverse fish and wildlife populations.

This program provides a no-cost, 20-week development opportunity for small business owners in Massachusetts, Maine, or Rhode Island to receive mentorship and resources to grow their businesses and positively impact their communities.

Northeast Delta Dental is accepting applications for grants focused on increasing access to, and the quality of, oral health care in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Grants are available to organizations that meet specific criteria, including having nonprofit status (501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4)), not discriminating on the basis of race, sex, religion, or other protected classes, and being involved in projects that address oral health needs. Funding will support initiatives such as educational programs on oral health, preventive oral health care programs, dental clinics aiming to make care more accessible, education and continuing education of dental health professionals, and research to improve oral health.

The Discretionary Grants Program aims to support small-scale, project-based initiatives that explore new or different approaches within an organization's current work, aligning closely with the mission of the Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF). The program offers grants up to $5,000 for local or regional projects and up to $10,000 for statewide activities that significantly align with MeHAF’s objectives. Applicants must propose specific projects that either expand upon existing work or explore a particular aspect of an organization's efforts, with tangible outcomes expected within one year. These projects should contribute to expanding health access and improving health but cannot fund general operations or new/current projects without a specific focus. The application process begins with a Letter of Interest (LOI) submitted through MeHAF’s grants management system, followed by a structured conversation with program leads and a final application if advanced. Grant renewed every year. Grant annual opening/ closing deadline: program opens annual in December and stays up for 11 months until the following November.

This funding opportunity supports conservation projects that provide employment and training for young adults and veterans, helping them gain experience in environmental stewardship and resource management on public lands.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for state forestry departments, universities, nonprofits, and local governments in the Eastern U.S. to manage and combat invasive species that threaten forest health.

This funding opportunity supports various organizations in Maine to develop and implement projects that expand affordable housing options and workforce housing through community planning and collaboration.

The Frances Hollis Brain Foundation Fund supports nonprofit organizations and projects aimed at serving disadvantaged, underserved, and/or vulnerable communities in specified areas in Maine. Priority is given to initiatives related to education, health care, and housing. Eligibility is based on geographic location and impact, focusing on areas like Auburn, Bath, Biddeford, and more. The fund is managed by the Maine Community Foundation and emphasizes projects that demonstrate community support and effectiveness. For 2024, particular attention is paid to early childhood education projects. General and project-specific grants are offered but not consecutively to the same organization across years. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadlines: January 5th to April 1st

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Maine-based law enforcement, courts, and nonprofit organizations to improve services and strategies for addressing violent crimes against women, including domestic violence and sexual assault.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state, Tribal, territorial, and local governments, as well as eligible agencies, to develop and improve wetland management programs in New England.

This grant focuses on renovating existing trailered boat launches to improve public recreational boating access. Administered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands, the grant aims to support the development and maintenance of facilities that provide primary recreational boating access to the general public. Projects must undergo a pre-approval site inspection to confirm eligibility. Available funding for trailered launch renovation projects is up to $75,000.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Maine to educate and outreach to women aged 18 to 54 with low incomes about available health coverage options and services.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community and non-profit public water systems in Maine for projects that protect and enhance the quality of drinking water sources.