Maine Education Grants

The Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) is offering a grant program rooted in the belief that a career is essential for prosperity and economic stability for Mainers. This initiative aligns with the department's mission to help individuals chart their economic future. The grant aims to support tribal communities in connecting to employment, training opportunities, and retaining jobs. This Request for Applications (RFA) seeks to partner with tribal communities to address basic needs, engage individuals disengaged from the workforce, and support employment or training opportunities. The target beneficiaries for this grant are Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), and non-profits with demonstrated experience and success in serving tribal communities. Applications demonstrating partnership with specific tribes—the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Mi’kmaq Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the Penobscot Nation—are preferred. The impact goals are to address basic needs that hinder employment or job retention, and to connect disengaged individuals with workforce opportunities. The program's priorities and focuses include addressing basic needs not effectively met by existing programs like DINAP, WIOA Adult, Dislocated, Youth, or National Emergency Grants. This can encompass assistance with car repairs, childcare, housing issues, uniforms, broadband access, or other necessities for obtaining or retaining employment. Another key focus is to connect with individuals disengaged from the workforce who are not currently supported by existing DINAP, WIOA, or Department of Labor (DOL) programs. The expected outcomes include increased employment and job retention among tribal community members, and improved access to essential support services that remove barriers to workforce participation. The program anticipates making two to four awards, with a total funding of $500,000, and individual awards ranging from $75,000 to $250,000. The anticipated period of performance is September 2024 to September 2026. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the number of individuals assisted, job placements, job retention rates, and the types of basic needs addressed through the pilot projects.

The Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust, established to honor the legacy of Margaret E. Burnham, a lifelong resident of Falmouth, Maine, supports nonprofit organizations operating within Maine. The Trust is dedicated to funding projects in five main areas: Community and Social Services (40%), Medical (10%), Education (20%), Arts and Culture (20%), and Environment (10%). It awards grants annually to tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, prioritizing those that do not request multi-year funding, and explicitly excluding awards to individuals or religious organizations. The Trust reviews applications once a year in December, with a submission deadline of October 1st. Occasionally, the Trust also recognizes organizations for exemplary work or significant promise in these focus areas without a formal request. Grant renewed every year. Annual deadline: October 1st

Grant Opportunity: Family Child Care Growth Grant Funding Organization: Not specified Contact Information: Not specified Grant Details: - Existing family child care providers interested in expanding their licensed capacity are eligible to apply for up to 50% of their expansion costs, up to $4,000. - Grant awards can be used for various purposes, including renovating a home, purchasing educational materials, acquiring indoor furniture and fixtures, expanding outdoor learning environments, buying playground equipment, and procuring health and safety supplies. - Additional funding of up to $25,000 is available for those adding a room exclusively for their child care business. - Priority will be given to applications from Aroostook, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Washington Counties. - Bonus points will be awarded to applicants increasing their licensed capacity by 6 or more children, providing care for infants and toddlers, providing care for income-eligible families, and participating in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. Application Process: - There are two steps to the application process. - FCC Growth Application 1: Submit the required licensing documentation to expand your family child care. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through June 30, 2024, or until all funds are awarded. - FCC Growth Application 2: Invitation-only based on eligibility determined from Application 1. Include a description of your project plans and a list of your expansion expenses. Applications 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. Eligibility: - Existing family child care providers interested in expanding their licensed capacity are eligible to apply. - Special licensing and fire marshal requirements apply if expanding to a Facility license. Grant Application Link: [https://www.cognitoforms.com/CEIMaine/ChildCareInfrastructureGrantProgramGrowthApplication1]

The Welch Charitable Fund, administered by the Maine Community Foundation, is dedicated to supporting organizations that address the needs of individuals within the Greater Portland (Cumberland County) area. This grant program is designed to align with the foundation's broader mission of fostering community well-being by channeling resources to critical areas of need. The fund's strategic approach emphasizes targeted support for local initiatives, ensuring that grants directly benefit the communities they serve. The fund's primary beneficiaries are individuals residing in the Greater Portland area, with a specific focus on vulnerable populations. The grants are intended to create a tangible impact by supporting projects centered on youth, education, healthcare, recovery from substance use disorder, and arts and culture. The overarching impact goal is to enhance the scope, efficiency, or effectiveness of organizations, ultimately improving the quality of life for residents in Cumberland County. The Welch Charitable Fund has clearly defined priorities, including a particular interest in capital investments and select capital campaigns. This strategic focus aims to strengthen the long-term capacity of recipient organizations. Projects must serve the Greater Portland area and concentrate on the identified areas of youth, education, healthcare, recovery, and arts and culture. This ensures that funding is directed towards initiatives that address pressing community challenges. The expected outcomes of this grant program include an increase in the number of people served or services provided, as well as improvements in organizational efficiency and effectiveness. The median award of $10,000 suggests that the fund aims to provide meaningful support to a range of projects. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed, the focus on increasing scope and improving efficiency implies a commitment to quantifiable progress in the target areas. The foundation's theory of change appears to be rooted in the belief that targeted financial support for vital community services will lead to stronger, more resilient communities.

The Facility Start-Up/New License Grant, offered by Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) in Maine, aims to support entrepreneurs in establishing new child care facilities or expanding existing ones. This grant provides funding to help new child care businesses cover up to 50% of their start-up costs, with a total award ceiling of $80,000, and a general grant size ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. CEI's mission, though not explicitly detailed in the provided text, can be inferred as supporting economic development and community well-being through strategic investments, particularly in vital services like child care. The target beneficiaries of this grant are individuals and organizations (sole proprietors, partnerships, cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, and employers) interested in starting or expanding child care facilities outside of a home environment. The impact goals are to increase access to quality child care, particularly in specific counties of Maine, and to foster business growth in this essential sector. By providing start-up capital, the program seeks to alleviate financial barriers for new and expanding child care providers, thereby strengthening the child care infrastructure. Priority is given to applications from Aroostook, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Washington Counties in Maine, indicating a strategic focus on underserved or high-need areas within the state. Additionally, bonus points are awarded to applicants who commit to providing care for infants and toddlers, serving income-eligible families (those receiving subsidies), and participating in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. These priorities align with broader goals of supporting vulnerable populations and improving the nutritional well-being of children. The grant funds can be used for a wide range of purposes, including purchasing, renting, or renovating buildings for child care, constructing new facilities, acquiring educational materials, indoor furniture, outdoor learning environments, playground equipment, and health and safety supplies. Importantly, funds can also cover working capital for the first month, including pre-opening payroll and initial food costs. The expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the number of high-quality child care slots, particularly for infants, toddlers, and income-eligible families, in the designated priority counties. This initiative directly supports community development by addressing critical social and economic needs related to child care accessibility and quality.

The City of Bangor Commission on Cultural Development in Maine is offering grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to individual artists and non-profit arts and cultural organizations, requiring a 1:1 match, to support projects that enhance the city's cultural vitality and directly serve the Bangor community.

The Onion Foundation aims to connect Maine residents with arts experiences, both as audience members and creators, fostering opportunities for expression, learning, and inspiration. This aligns directly with the foundation's mission, which recognizes the arts' crucial role in creativity, cultural exchange, intellectual development, joy, compassion, and human connection. The foundation seeks to support a vibrant arts sector in Maine, ensuring that the arts are accessible and beneficial to the state's population. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are Maine residents, with a focus on increasing access to arts education, supporting public engagement in arts programs, and building the capacity of Maine's arts sector. The impact goals are to enhance intellectual development, foster joy and compassion, and strengthen feelings of connection among individuals through artistic engagement. The foundation prioritizes organizations that are 501(c)3 public charities, fiscally sponsored projects, public education institutions, or Maine governmental units, with work based in Maine and benefiting its people. The program offers two types of grants: general operating and project support. General operating grants provide unrestricted funds for organizations whose activities align with the foundation's strategies, offering multi-year support of up to $20,000 per year for organizations with annual budgets over $50,000, and up to $7,500 per year for those under $50,000. Project support grants fund specific activities or programs, also with multi-year options and similar funding tiers based on project budgets. The expected outcomes include a more engaged public in Maine arts, a stronger arts education infrastructure, and a more robust overall arts sector in the state. The Onion Foundation's strategic priorities are clearly outlined in its three guiding strategies for the arts program: Strategy I: Increase Access to Arts Education in Maine, Strategy II: Support Public Engagement in Maine Arts Programs, and Strategy III: Build The Capacity of Maine’s Arts Sector. The theory of change implicitly suggests that by funding these areas, the foundation will achieve its broader mission of connecting Maine residents to arts experiences, leading to expression, learning, and inspiration, and ultimately fostering a more creative, compassionate, and connected society. Measurable results would likely include increased participation rates in arts programs, growth in arts education initiatives, and the sustained health and development of arts organizations in Maine.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for programs that train and certify workers in Maine's residential energy efficiency sector, promoting job placement and business development in clean energy careers.

This program provides funding to early-career researchers in New England to support innovative studies that improve child health outcomes.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to public and nonprofit organizations in Lewiston to deliver essential services that improve the quality of life for low- and moderate-income individuals and families.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that empower youth through physical fitness, literacy, and community engagement initiatives, particularly in New England.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont for various charitable activities, including capital projects and youth campership programs.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Portland area that focus on early childhood education and youth engagement programs for children and teens.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Maine that promote equitable access to outdoor education and environmental experiences, particularly those led by historically underrepresented groups.

This funding opportunity provides support for professional artists to collaborate with teachers in public schools of Penobscot and Washington counties, Maine, to integrate arts education into classrooms for grades 3-5.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and community partnerships in specific New Hampshire and Maine communities to address urgent health needs and improve the well-being of residents, particularly focusing on mental health, healthy aging, and caregiver support.

This grant provides matching funds to nonprofit organizations in Maine for various historic preservation projects, such as restoring building exteriors and upgrading safety systems.

This program provides funding for applied research and demonstration projects that utilize advanced wood materials in transportation infrastructure, prioritizing initiatives that enhance resilience to extreme weather and support economically distressed communities.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and municipalities in six Maine counties to implement programs addressing critical community needs such as basic needs, substance use disorder, and early childhood development.