Maine Community Development Grants

This funding initiative provides financial support for projects that enhance the agricultural, forestry, and commercial fishing industries in the Northeast, focusing on education, marketing, and leadership development.

The Outdoor Equity Fund aims to enhance safe, equitable access to outdoor spaces and nature-based learning for Wabanaki, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in Maine, unceded land of the Wabanaki. The fund addresses systemic barriers that BIPOC communities face in accessing outdoor spaces by supporting organizations working on land-based cultural preservation, land-back projects, leadership development, farming and gardening programs, outdoor accessibility, expeditions, learning, and therapeutic programs. It operates with a Community Advisory Committee guiding its efforts and employs a participatory grantmaking process. Selected organizations for the 2023 cohort will receive $30,000 over three years for general operating support, alongside opportunities for peer learning and capacity-building activities.

The Maine Charity Foundation Fund aims to support charitable and educational purposes across Maine, with an emphasis on transportation services for individuals with limited access. The grant prioritizes projects that use volunteers, engage community partners, address service gaps, and focus on equity and diversity. Criteria for eligibility are set by the Maine Community Foundation and reviewed annually. The foundation offers general support grants for ongoing needs and project grants for new programs. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadlines: July 1st to September 16th

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state transportation departments in rural U.S. states for the replacement and rehabilitation of multiple highway bridges to improve safety and efficiency.

The Washington State Department of Commerce, in collaboration with the Puget Sound National Estuary Program and Stormwater and Habitat strategic initiative leads, is offering salmon recovery planning grants to local governments and federally recognized tribes. This grant program aims to advance the Governor’s statewide salmon recovery strategy and align with the Puget Sound National Estuary Partnership’s investment priorities. The overall mission alignment is centered on protecting and restoring salmon habitat through long-range planning objectives, directly supporting environmental conservation and the ecological health of Washington State, particularly the Puget Sound. Target beneficiaries for these grants include towns, cities, and counties (both fully and partially planned under the Growth Management Act) and federally recognized tribes in Washington State. The primary impact goal is to enhance salmon recovery efforts through improved planning and habitat protection. By empowering local entities and tribes with funding for strategic planning, the program seeks to create a broader, more consistent approach to critical areas protection and habitat restoration. The program prioritizes applications that focus on protecting and restoring salmon habitat with long-range planning objectives. This includes promoting monitoring and adaptive management practices to improve implementation, consistency, and effectiveness of permitting for critical areas protection in the Puget Sound. Approximately $3.2 million in funding is available from the Department of Commerce, with an additional $2 million potentially provided and administered by the Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), layering to support these objectives. Expected outcomes include more effective and consistent implementation of critical area permitting, enhanced salmon habitat protection and restoration, and improved long-range planning capabilities within eligible communities and tribes. Measurable results could include the number of revised or new habitat protection plans, acres of habitat protected or restored, improvements in permitting processes, and ultimately, positive trends in salmon populations. The theory of change suggests that by investing in local planning and adaptive management, the state can achieve more robust and sustainable salmon recovery across the region.

Name of Funding Organization: State Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program Contact Information: No contact information provided in the input. Award Details: Maine residents interested in starting a home-based or family child care business can apply for up to 75% of their start-up costs, with a maximum award of $8,500. Those adding a room exclusively for their child care business can receive up to $25,000. Eligibility: Maine residents interested in starting a home-based or family child care business are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to applications from Aroostook, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Washington Counties. Bonus points will be awarded to applicants providing care for infants, toddlers, families income-eligible for subsidy, and participating in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. Application Process: The application process consists of two steps. Step 1 requires completing the requirements to earn a family child care license. Applications for Step 1 are accepted on a rolling basis through June 30, 2024, or until all funds are awarded. Step 2 is an invitation-only application based on eligibility determined from Step 1. It includes a description of project plans and a list of start-up expenses. Applications for Step 2 will be accepted through August 30, 2024, or until all funds are awarded. Application processing time is expected to take up to five weeks from the time of submission. Other Relevant Information: The grant awards can be used for various purposes, including renovating a home, purchasing educational materials, acquiring indoor furniture and fixtures, creating an outdoor learning environment, buying playground equipment, procuring health and safety supplies, and having working capital for the first month. The grant program does not cover adding a room to an existing home-based child care space, as it is considered a renovation. Family Child Care providers interested in expanding their licensed capacity in a new location with a Facility license can apply for the Child Care Facility Expansion Grants, but there are special licensing and fire marshal requirements to consider.

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.

This grant opportunity is called the Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program Facility Start-Up. It is open to anyone interested in starting a child care facility or existing child care license holders adding an additional location. The grant covers up to 50% of start-up costs, with a maximum award of $80,000. Eligible applicants include sole proprietors, partnerships, cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, and employers. The grant can be used for various purposes, such as purchasing or renting a building, renovating the facility, constructing a new building, buying educational materials and furniture, creating an outdoor learning environment, acquiring playground equipment, and procuring health and safety supplies. Priority will be given to applications from specific counties and those committing to providing care for infants, toddlers, income-eligible families, and participating in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. The application process consists of two steps, with the first application accepted on a rolling basis until June 30, 2024, and the second application being invitation-only. The processing time for applications is expected to be up to five weeks. For more information and to access the application, visit the following link: [https://www.cognitoforms.com/CEIMaine/ChildCareInfrastructureGrantProgramFacilityStartUpApplication1](https://www.cognitoforms.com/CEIMaine/ChildCareInfrastructureGrantProgramFacilityStartUpApplication1)

The Community Development Grant by Machias Savings Bank aims to improve community wellness, youth and education, and economic development in Machias Savings Bank’s primary lending area, focusing on low-to-moderate income individuals and/or families. The grant supports projects creating or retaining jobs, revitalizing communities, providing affordable housing, or other programs designed to assist low-to-moderate income individuals and/or families. The total grant amount is $100,000, with a maximum award of $10,000 per project. Eligible projects include business incubator programs, housing programs, technology assistance to entrepreneurs, mentorship for workforce development, youth-based entrepreneurship programs, financial wellness education, and nutritional support initiatives. The application opens on April 12th, with a deadline of May 17th, and recipients will be selected by June 14th.

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.

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.

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.

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 supports nonprofit organizations that provide stable housing and empower low- and moderate-income communities, focusing on vulnerable populations such as working families, youth, seniors, and veterans.

The State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry announces the 2024 ATV Trail Maintenance Grant Program, designed to support ATV clubs in maintaining and improving ATV trails across the state. The grant offers a tiered funding system based on trail mileage, ranging from $7,000 for trails up to 10 miles, to $12,000 for trails over 70 miles. Eligible expenses include construction, maintenance, labor (up to $15 an hour if paid), and landowner relations efforts, with an additional $500 available for qualified landowner relations expenses. Clubs must be registered non-profit corporations in good standing and meet several requirements, including obtaining necessary permits and providing proof of landowner permission. Applications must be submitted by July 1, 2024, with grants payable on a reimbursement basis. Grant renewed every year.

The Maine Tourism Development & Management Grant is designed to foster tourism development, education, and management projects in Maine that aim to enhance collaboration among key destination organizations, create sustainable growth within the tourism sector, and provide qualified technical and consulting assistance. The grant supports projects that align with the Maine Office of Tourism's Destination Management Plan and prioritize sustainable and inclusive tourism. Applications are accepted annually, with grants ranging from $15,000 to $40,000. Eligible projects include tourism product development, stewardship planning, visitor education programs, strategic planning related to tourism, and the creation of educational or interpretive signage to improve the visitor experience. A 25% cash match is required to ensure regional and community support for the projects. Ineligible uses of funding include marketing campaigns, special events, for-profit organizations, administrative costs, and construction projects. The grant emphasizes the importance of advancing off-season tourism, promoting the value of tourism, and developing inclusive travel opportunities. Deadline – Letter of Intent – 2pm, April 19, 2024 Application Deadline: 2pm, May 24th, 2024

This program provides funding to organizations in New England for projects that preserve and share the diverse histories of their communities through the conservation of buildings, landscapes, and collections.

The Hospice Fund is dedicated to supporting hospice services, particularly focusing on programs that enhance volunteer and bereavement services in Cumberland and York counties. The fund, established from the assets of Hospice of Maine, targets capacity-building and specific project support within the hospice and bereavement sector. It does not provide support for general operational costs. Key eligibility requirements include alignment with the Maine Community Foundation's grant criteria, with priority given to projects that raise awareness of hospice services, improve the quality and utilization of end-of-life services, and support volunteer recruitment and training. Awards announced by May 15th Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadlines: November 15th to February 15th

The Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program is offering grants to existing child care facilities in Aroostook, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Washington Counties in Maine. The grants are intended to support facilities in increasing their licensed capacity by providing funding for up to 50% of their expansion costs, with a maximum award of $30,000. The funds can be used for various purposes, including purchasing or renting a building and renovating it, constructing a new building, buying educational materials, acquiring indoor furniture and fixtures, creating an outdoor learning environment, buying playground equipment, procuring health and safety supplies, and having sufficient working capital. Priority will be given to applications that provide care for infants and toddlers, care for families income-eligible for subsidy, and participate in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. The application process consists of two steps, with the first step being the Facility Expansion Application 1, which can be accessed through the provided link. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until June 30, 2024, or until all funds are awarded. If eligible, applicants will be invited to complete Facility Expansion Application 2, which includes a business and project plan and an expense estimate. The deadline for Application 2 is August 30, 2024, or until all funds are awarded. The processing time for applications is expected to be up to five weeks.

This program provides financial support to new and existing child care businesses in Portland, Maine, to help them start, expand, and hire staff, ensuring more accessible child care options in the community.