Maine Private Grants

The Libra Foundation's grant program is designed to enhance the quality of life for Maine residents by strategically deploying its financial resources to stimulate economic development, foster entrepreneurial ventures, and create employment opportunities within the state. This initiative directly aligns with the foundation's core mission to support innovative and sustainable Maine-based business initiatives and programs. The foundation's strategic approach involves leveraging its assets to achieve economic benefits for Maine and its residents, while also prioritizing the welfare and betterment of children. This reflects a dual focus on both economic prosperity and social well-being, indicating a holistic theory of change that sees economic growth as a means to improve overall societal conditions, particularly for vulnerable populations. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are Maine residents, with a specific emphasis on children who stand to benefit from the funded initiatives. The foundation aims to achieve significant impact by supporting organizations that can develop and implement programs offering potential economic benefits across the state. This includes job creation, economic growth, and the fostering of entrepreneurial activity, all contributing to an improved quality of life. The expected outcomes are centered on measurable progress in these areas, with successful applications demonstrating clear pathways to sustainable development and positive community impact. The foundation's theory of change posits that by investing in innovative local businesses and programs, it can create a ripple effect of economic and social improvement throughout Maine. The Libra Foundation's priorities and focuses are broad, encompassing various areas of giving such as Arts, Culture & Humanities, Education, Environment, Health, Human Services, Justice, Public/Society Benefit, and Religion. This wide scope allows the foundation to address diverse needs within Maine while remaining committed to its overarching goals of economic development and child welfare. While the grant program has a general size of $10,000 to $100,000, individual grants will not exceed $25,000. This suggests a strategic allocation of resources to support a wider array of smaller, impactful projects rather than a few large ones, thereby maximizing the reach and diversity of its funding. To ensure the effectiveness and accountability of its grants, the Libra Foundation has clear eligibility criteria. Only organizations that have been determined to be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and "not a private foundation" under Section 509(a) of the Code are considered. This ensures that the foundation partners with legitimate and transparent entities, reinforcing its commitment to responsible philanthropy. The requirement for evidence of this determination at the time of application underscores the foundation's due diligence and strategic focus on supporting organizations that meet specific legal and ethical standards, thereby safeguarding its investments and maximizing the potential for positive outcomes for the residents of Maine.

The Island Foundation is accepting applications for a grant program, with a deadline of 10/23/2024, aimed at supporting 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island that focus on environmental conservation, social change in New Bedford, alternative education, and addressing inequality for womxn and girls.

This funding opportunity supports grassroots community groups with limited resources to launch new environmental projects or significantly shift existing ones, focusing on those that amplify diverse voices and address environmental justice issues.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals for the Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund (NEFRF), a program dedicated to restoring and sustaining healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands to provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife populations. This initiative aligns with NFWF's broader mission to protect and restore native wildlife species and their habitats, leveraging public and private funding to achieve significant conservation outcomes. The NEFRF, formerly known as the New England Forests and Rivers Fund, represents a strategic investment in the ecological health of the Northeast region, fostering biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The program's target beneficiaries include various fish and wildlife populations such as river herring, Atlantic salmon, brook trout, wood turtles, golden-winged warblers, New England cottontails, and bobolinks. Beyond wildlife, the program also aims to benefit agricultural producers, particularly those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by helping them design and implement conservation practices. The impact goals are centered on improving habitat quality and connectivity, enhancing forest conditions, and promoting hayfield management conducive to successful grassland bird breeding. NEFRF's priorities and focuses are outlined in NFWF’s Northeast Watersheds Business Plan (March 2023), specifically targeting strategies for Stream and Riparian Habitat, and Upland Forests and Grasslands. Key implementation strategies for 2024 include restoring stream and riparian habitats, improving forest management for age and structural diversity, and promoting hayfield management. A significant portion of funding, approximately $625,000, is set aside for projects that assist agricultural producers in adopting conservation practices beneficial to target species like northeast turtles and golden-winged warblers, while also increasing Farm Bill program participation. Additionally, the program encourages projects that involve community outreach, engagement, collaborative management, and the incorporation of traditional knowledge and community input. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved habitat for specific fish and wildlife species, enhanced age and structural diversity in forest blocks, successful grassland bird breeding, and increased participation of agricultural producers in conservation programs. Projects are expected to contribute to measurable conservation benefits through community input, co-design processes, and engagement with community-level partners (e.g., municipalities, NGOs, community organizations, community leaders) to ensure project design, implementation, maintenance, and long-term sustainability post-grant award. The grant duration is three years, with projects expected to start no later than six months after the award date. The NFWF's strategic priorities for the NEFRF reflect a theory of change that posits by investing in targeted habitat restoration, improved land management, and community engagement, ecological health will be restored and sustained, benefiting both wildlife and human communities. Funding is provided by a consortium of partners including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Zoetis Foundation, and Sylvamo, underscoring a collaborative approach to conservation. The program encourages a holistic view of conservation, integrating scientific best practices with local community needs and traditional knowledge to achieve robust and lasting environmental improvements across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and parts of New York.

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.

The Maine Land Protection grant program supports land acquisition or conservation easement projects that foster strong connections between Maine/Wabanaki territory and its land and water. These projects should create or increase permanent access to these natural resources, particularly for marginalized and historically excluded populations. The program encourages applications from Wabanaki tribal governments and similar entities. Projects should involve community support and include future use plans with engagement strategies for maintaining the land. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadlines: June 21st to September 16th

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and communities in Maine for humanities projects that promote public engagement and exploration of cultural and educational initiatives.

The Conservation for All grant program is designed to strengthen the bond between the people in Maine and its natural landscapes, focusing on land and water. It aims to ensure equitable access to Maine's outdoors for all, particularly marginalized and historically excluded populations, by addressing physical, economic, and awareness barriers and fostering inclusive participation in program design and implementation. The grant supports projects that facilitate access to outdoor spaces, involve beneficiaries in decision-making, and address the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadlines: June 21st to September 16th

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

This program provides financial support to small- and mid-sized farm and food businesses in the Northeast to enhance their operations, expand markets, and strengthen regional food supply chains.

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 Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) is offering the New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant program to support new dairy processing projects across the Northeast. The core mission of this program is to foster competitive dairy processing businesses with long-term viability. This aligns with a broader strategic objective of strengthening the regional dairy industry by enabling operations of all sizes to successfully launch and sustain their products in the marketplace. By focusing on start-up operations and tangible implementation, the NE-DBIC aims to facilitate direct economic impact and product innovation within the dairy sector. The program targets several key beneficiaries, including dairy farmers ready to begin processing, value-added entrepreneurs with proven experience in dairy processing or business startups, and dairy processors established after January 1, 2023, who are in their start-up phase. The impact goals are centered on developing these businesses, supporting their entry into the market, and ultimately contributing to the economic vitality of the Northeast dairy industry. By providing financial assistance for start-up operations, the program seeks to create new opportunities for dairy-related businesses and products. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly on tangible implementation rather than earlier stages like research and development, concept development, or initial planning. This indicates a strategic emphasis on getting products to market and establishing sustainable business models. Eligibility criteria further refine this focus, requiring applicants to be headquartered or based in the Northeast, demonstrate proof of concept, have a robust business plan, obtain necessary licenses, and show commitment from buyers or distributors by the end of the grant period. Expected outcomes include the successful launch of new value-added dairy products, the establishment of competitive and viable dairy processing businesses, and increased market access for Northeast dairy products. Measurable results would likely include the number of new businesses launched, the volume of new products brought to market, and the economic growth generated within the participating dairy sectors. The NE-DBIC's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this grant, involve direct investment in the operational start-up phase, aiming for a theory of change where targeted financial support leads to the successful commercialization and long-term sustainability of dairy processing ventures in the region.

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

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.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

The Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Fund aims to promote equity for Native American, Latino, African, Arab, and Asian communities in Maine through leadership investment, policy change, and alleviating race-based disparities. The fund focuses on organizations with BIPOC leadership and involvement, prioritizing racial equity, health, leadership development, and economic opportunities. It offers two-year general support grants of up to $10,000 per year, with the first grants awarded in 2024. Organizations must be based in Maine and meet specific community service criteria to qualify. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadlines: November 15th to February 15th

Maine: Investing in Leaders of Color Grant Program offers a maximum award of $6,950 to support nonprofit leaders of color and their organizations. The program provides one-on-one coaching, a stipend for professional development and operating costs, and networking opportunities. It is designed for people of color in leadership positions in nonprofit organizations that serve communities of color and promote racial equity in Maine. Priority is given to leaders from organizations led by people of color. The grant consists of capacity-building funding, including one-on-one coaching, professional development, and operating costs. The program aims to promote and increase racial equity in Maine through supporting leaders and organizations serving communities of color.

This grant provides funding to non-profit organizations in Maine that deliver essential services to individuals and families experiencing poverty.