Maine Infrastructure Grants

The Grow grant program, offered by the Grassroots Fund, is designed to support groups with existing project implementation experience in their communities. The program aligns with the Grassroots Fund's broad interpretation of "environment," funding a wide range of activities focused on local, grassroots work. The mission is to deepen community work by fostering vision development, increasing participation, identifying new stakeholders, and incorporating diverse voices and lived experiences into decision-making processes. Target beneficiaries for the Grow grant program are community-based, local initiatives, specifically those operating in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont. The program emphasizes supporting groups that represent a broad range of community voices and are not currently being reached by other funders. The overarching impact goal is to strengthen community-led efforts and ensure that decision-making processes are inclusive and reflective of various perspectives. The program prioritizes volunteer-driven groups or those with no more than two full-time paid staff (80 hours/week combined) and an approximate annual operating budget under $100,000. These priorities underscore the fund's strategic focus on supporting smaller, community-rooted organizations that may have limited access to other funding sources. The Grassroots Fund's theory of change appears to be centered on empowering local groups to drive community development and foster more equitable and participatory processes. Expected outcomes include communities with further developed visions, reduced barriers to participation, engagement of new stakeholders, and increased integration of diverse voices and lived experiences in core decision-making. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond these outcomes, the emphasis on "deepening their work" and "bringing more voices" suggests qualitative and potentially quantitative shifts in community engagement and project effectiveness. The grant size ranges from $1,000 to $4,000, providing crucial financial support to these initiatives. It's important to note that the fund does not support individuals, national or international work, lobbying, partisan political activity, land/building acquisition, studies without follow-up, publication of books/reports, micro/re-granting programs, or retroactive expenses. This clear outline of what is not supported further defines the strategic priorities of the Grassroots Fund, ensuring that grants are directed towards community-level, action-oriented initiatives that align with their mission of fostering grassroots environmental and social change.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to public water systems in Maine to develop essential plans and documents that enhance their technical, financial, or managerial capabilities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for historic preservation projects, such as surveys and planning, to local governments and non-profit organizations working to protect and promote historic sites in Maine.

This funding opportunity supports hospice and bereavement services in Cumberland and York counties, focusing on enhancing volunteer programs and community awareness initiatives.

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.

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 municipalities, Tribal governments, and infrastructure districts in Maine to improve and adapt critical public infrastructure against climate change impacts like flooding and severe weather.

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 supports nonprofit organizations in Maine that implement evidence-based cancer prevention programs targeting underserved communities and addressing key health risk factors.

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 funding opportunity provides financial support to choreographers in New England for projects that enhance their dance practice or advance their careers, with grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 for various artistic endeavors.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Maine that address important community needs and demonstrate measurable goals.

This grant provides $25,000 to nonprofit organizations in New Hampshire and Maine that support unpaid caregivers of aging adults, focusing on improving their quality of life and addressing the needs of socio-economically disadvantaged individuals in the Seacoast communities.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Maine that promote the well-being of cats and dogs by providing shelter, veterinary care, and resources to help keep pets with their owners, particularly in under-resourced communities.

This grant provides funding to municipalities and tribal governments in Maine to improve and adapt waterfront infrastructure that supports commercial fishing and aquaculture, enhancing resilience against climate change and coastal flooding.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Maine that work to make outdoor spaces more accessible and inclusive for underserved groups, particularly people of color and individuals with disabilities.

This program provides financial support to Maine businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by severe storms to aid in recovery and enhance resilience against future climate events.