Maine Grants

The PF Fund for the Baldwin Area supports nonprofit organizations and projects aimed at benefiting the Baldwin, Maine community. Priority is given to initiatives that promote greater self-reliance, public awareness of forestry, and sustainable management of natural resources. Applicants are encouraged to read the Maine Community Foundation’s grant eligibility requirements to ensure compliance. The fund supports new, expanding, and ongoing project efforts, with a focus on leveraging additional financial resources and fostering social capital. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadlines: November 15th to February 1st

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

This grant opportunity, offered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands, is aimed at the acquisition, development, and maintenance of new trailered boat launches. The program supports state and local governments, among other eligible entities, to enhance public access to waterways for recreational boating. Eligible projects must serve as the primary recreational boating access for the general public. A pre-approval site inspection is required for project eligibility. The funding cap for new trailered launch projects is $100,000.

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.

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 Animal Welfare Fund supports organizations dedicated to advancing animal welfare in Maine. Donor Name: Maine Community Foundation State: Maine County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: Types of Funding Three-year general support grants to animal shelters focused on cats and dogs that do all of the following: Help low-income people and their pets stay together to prevent surrender/abandonment, especially at times of hardship, e.g., domestic abuse, homelessness, serious illness, etc. Support population control activities for cats and dogs Educate pet owners and community members about the care and humane treatment of animals. Please note: Maximum award amount for all organizations regardless of size is $15,000 per year. One-year project grants to animal welfare organizations for one or more of the following: Programs that help low-income people and their pets stay together to prevent surrender/abandonment, especially at times of hardship Population control activities for cats and dogs Education of pet owners and/or community members about the care and humane treatment of animals Statewide coordination among shelters Coordination with human services agencies to make interventions that support animals in crisis situations. Who is eligible to apply? Nonprofit, charitable organizations tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and also classified as an organization described in sections 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) Municipalities Public schools Public agencies working for the State of Maine Indian tribal governments (or political subdivisions) recognized by the Department of the Interior Groups without any tax status may apply with a fiscal sponsor that is an eligible organization as described above. For more information, visit MCF.

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 MTMPP Special Event Marketing Grant is intended to support the marketing of well-established events in Maine that have the potential to attract new audiences, increase overnight visitation, and extend visitors' length of stay, particularly during the state's shoulder season. This grant aims to enhance Maine’s brand nationally and internationally, contributing significantly to the state's economy. Qualifying applicants include Maine non-profits, municipalities, and tribal governments. Two grants are available each fiscal year, with each cycle offering one grant ranging from $30,000 to $60,000. Projects must align with the Office of Tourism Destination Management Plan and Stewardship Principles, focusing on inclusive and accessible tourism promotion. Eligible expenses can include paid advertising, public and media relations, website upgrades, asset development, and fulfillment materials, with a clear emphasis on expanding marketing strategies to draw in new visitors. A 25% cash match is required for the grant, which aims to support sustainable growth within Maine’s tourism economy.

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

The MTMPP Enterprise Marketing Grant is designed to stimulate Maine's travel and tourism economy by supporting comprehensive marketing initiatives that promise to increase visitation. This grant aligns private sector promotional efforts with those of the Maine Office of Tourism (MOT) and Regional Destination Marketing Organizations (RDMOs), aiming for sustainable growth and advancement of Maine's tourism sector. Eligible entities include Maine non-profits, municipalities, and tribal governments, with grant amounts ranging from $5,000 to $30,000. Projects should align with the MOT Destination Management Plan and Stewardship Principles, focusing on tourism development by attracting visitors from at least fifty miles away. Eligible projects can include paid advertising, public and media relations, website upgrades, asset development, and participation in travel and trade shows. A 50% cash match is required, with detailed documentation of matching funds in the project budget. The application process includes providing a comprehensive marketing plan, budget, timeline, and support letters. Creative and media requirements ensure alignment with MOT branding and promotional strategies. Applications are evaluated based on design, implementation, economic impact, collaboration, and alignment with state marketing efforts.

The Maine Communities Grant Program aims to bolster tourism-oriented community marketing projects and events across the state. For FY 2025 Cycle 1, up to four grants, ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, will be awarded in each of the 8 designated Maine Tourism Regions. Eligible applicants include Maine municipalities, tribal governments, and Maine-based nonprofits. Projects should demonstrate a clear alignment with tourism that is inclusive and accessible. Eligible initiatives may involve paid advertising, public and media relations, website upgrades, asset development such as photography or video, and fulfillment of tourism materials. Ineligible projects include new website hosting, fundraising events, professional development, capital equipment, and promotional products. The program encourages a mix of cash and in-kind contributions for matching funds, with clear documentation required in the application. Creative requirements mandate the prominent use of the word "Maine" and the MOT logo in all grant-funded media, adhering to MOT design guidelines. Additionally, a link to the state’s tourism website should be displayed when appropriate, and events must be posted on visitmaine.com. Grant renewed every year.

The Sadie and Harry Davis Foundation is accepting applications for its annual Patricia D. Klingenstein grant program, dedicated to advancing the health of children in Maine. The program welcomes proposals for a wide range of grant types, including general operating support, program grants, capacity building grants, challenge grants, and matching grants, but typically does not fund capital grants or grants to individuals. Eligible projects and programs must focus on improving children’s health within Maine, prioritizing the state’s most underserved populations, such as those in low-income or rural areas. The foundation particularly seeks proposals from organizations with annual budgets under $5 million and with strong track records of creative and well-grounded approaches. The foundation excludes oral health proposals but encourages connections with the Children’s Oral Health Network of Maine for organizations addressing broader children's health needs. Organizations that have previously received funding must wait two years before reapplying. Grants range from $3,000 to $15,000. Grant renewed every year. Grant annual opeing/closing deadlines: April 15th to May 31th

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the potential availability of funding for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources to encourage collaboration with partners in conducting outreach and providing strategic conservation delivery assistance that enhances the ability of the agency to support conservation. The overall intent of this solicitation is to solicit partnerships to help enhance the implementation of key conservation objectives and priorities outlined in this announcement. Proposals will be accepted from eligible entities for outreach and technical assistance in Maine. NRCS anticipates the total amount awarded under this announcement in Federal fiscal year 2024 will be approximately $500,000. Proposals are requested from eligible entities for competitive consideration of agreement awards and projects between For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on April 19, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or [email protected]. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed. The agency anticipates making selections by May 10, 2024 and expects to execute awards by September 6, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

To help marine businesses recover from the devastating impacts of January 2024’s coastal storms, Island Institute is expanding our Business Resilience Grant program. Grant awards of up to $5,000 are available for working waterfront businesses that directly support fishing and aquaculture on islands, and in fishing-dependent communities that were impacted by the storms on January 10 and 13, 2024. Maine’s fishing industry accounts for nearly $1 billion in annual revenue and it is under a multitude of pressures. Taking up a mere 20 miles of the more than 5,000 miles of Maine’s coastline, the working waterfront infrastructure along our shorelines is in grave danger of being lost forever. The more rural the community, the more reliant communities are on the marine economy. Without safe and reliable wharves, docks, and access ramps, Maine’s fishing communities grind to a halt. This infrastructure is the backbone of the coastal economy and importantly supports the families and communities that rely upon what they catch or grow. It is for this reason we are choosing to urgently support the resilient rebuilding of our working waterfront infrastructure. We will review grant applications weekly and have streamlined our application process to ensure these limited funds will quickly arrive in communities. Eligible applicants are for-profit businesses with shoreside infrastructure that supports multiple individuals or that plays a critical role in communities with demonstrable impact from these storms. Due to limited available funds, priority is given to businesses that support many independent harvesters. For more information please contact Jeff Frank at [email protected] Examples of acceptable uses of funds include: • Wharf infrastructure repair • Equipment repair and replacement • Other: contact us if you're unsure. Before you get started, here is a bit more about the application and process: Individuals and affiliated companies are eligible for one Island Institute grant per fiscal year (this does not include scholarships). Awards from previous fiscal years will not disqualify applications. There is a limited amount of funds available for the Business Resilience Storm Recovery Grants. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through June 10, 2024 (as long as funds are available), and reviewed weekly to ensure these funds will quickly arrive in communities.

The Department of Education (Department) is seeking intends to provide funding to local education providers for the delivery of climate education professional development in including priority for historical underserved communities by climate education. Donor Name: Department of Education State: Maine County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Priority The Department will give priority to applications that demonstrate increased student access by serving communities historically underserved by climate education, meaning local education providers that have not been able to provide current environmental or climate education instruction, partnerships, or field opportunities at the local education provider. These schools and communities may include, but are not limited to: Students receiving special education services Multilingual Learners Students from the black, indigenous, persons of color (BiPoC) community Students in alternative learning education environments Remote schools Rural schools (“rural” from Title V status) Schools with high populations of students with free or reduced-price meals, >40% Migrant students Tribal nations, including tribal schools Funding Information The Department plans to make multiple awards of varying amounts $750,000. Allowable Use of Funds Funding which is ultimately awarded may be used for the following purposes: Hiring or contracting for program staff; Providing stipends or other incentives to teachers and staff; Stipends require written justification during the contract negotiation phase, if awarded. Stipends may only be used to pay for staff time beyond their compensated time. Developing curricula, instructional materials, and purchasing related supplies; Purchasing non-instructional supplies; Covering costs associated with renting physical space for programming; and Paying administrative expenses Eligibility Criteria To be eligible to submit an application, the applicant must be a local education provider. For the purpose of this RFA, a local education provider is defined as follows: A school administrative unit as described A school in an unorganized territory A CTE Region school/program established A school funded by the Bureau of Indian Education. For more information, visit Department of Education.

The MainStreet Foundation annually donates $25,000 through its "25K For Kids" grant to a local non-profit organization in Maine. This initiative aims to benefit at-risk youth by focusing on providing life essentials such as food, shelter, and security. The grant application process starts on May 1st, with a final submission deadline of July 31st. Applications are reviewed in August, and three finalists are selected to present in person at the October Board meeting. The winner, along with runners-up, is announced in November. Organizations applying must demonstrate a clear positive impact on at-risk youth, aligning with the Foundation's priority for local organizations with sustainable budgets. Projects eligible for funding include after-school programs, mentoring, leadership development, literacy promotion, assistance with homelessness and family dynamics, mental health support, life-management skills, and more. The Foundation does not support general operating expenses, endowments, conferences, training, or facilities renovation. Multi-year requests or capital campaigns are also not supported. Grant recipients are requested not to apply for additional funding for at least 12 months from the conclusion of any previously funded projects.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofits dedicated to helping at-risk youth thrive through essential programs like mentoring, after-school activities, and mental health services.

Applications are now being accepted for the Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program – Facility Acquisitions. Donor Name: Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) State: Maine County: Aroostook County (ME), Franklin County (ME), Penobscot County (ME), Piscataquis County (ME), Somerset County (ME), Washington County (ME) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: If you are buying the furniture and fixtures plus the enrollment of an existing child care business and you can demonstrate at least a 25% increase in enrollment within four months of the transaction, you may be eligible for a Child Care Infrastructure Grant for up to 50% of your costs, for a total award of up to $25,000. Priority Areas Priority will be given to applications from Aroostook, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset and Washington Counties. In addition, applicants committing to the following will receive bonus points: Providing care for infants Providing care for toddlers Providing care for families income-eligible for subsidy Participating in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. Uses of funds  Grant awards received may be used for the following purposes: Purchasing furniture, fixtures, educational materials and other assets from an existing child care provider. Selected examples include books, musical instruments, developmentally appropriate toys, tables & chairs, cribs, sleeping mats and more Fees to use existing business practices, policies and menus Inheriting current enrollment and expanding enrollment by 25% within 4 months Light renovations to the space to enhance the quality or to increase capacity. Buying additional indoor activities or enhancing the outdoor space to accept more children. Procuring health and safety supplies and other materials required to increase your enrollment. Having sufficient working capital on hand for the first month. Selected examples include money to cover a week of pre-opening payroll and a month of children’s food while you adjust to new subsidy and USDA food program levels. For more information, visit CEI.

The Facility Start-Up/New License Grant will provide entrepreneurs interested in starting a new child care facility or opening a new, additional child care facility with funding to start a new business. Donor Name: Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) State: Maine County: Aroostook County (ME), Franklin County (ME), Penobscot County (ME), Piscataquis County (ME), Somerset County (ME), Washington County (ME) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Anyone interested in starting a child care facility (a child care business outside a home environment) is eligible to apply for a grant covering up to 50% of their start-up costs for a total award up to $80,000. The Facility Start-Up application is also for existing child care license holders adding an additional location. Priority Areas Priority will be given to applications from Aroostook, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset and Washington Counties. In addition, applicants committing to the following will receive bonus points: Providing care for infants Providing care for toddlers Providing care for families income-eligible for subsidy Participating in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. Uses of Funds Grant awards received may be used for the following purposes: Purchasing or renting a building and renovating it to deliver high quality child care. Selected examples include adding a window to allow for egress and to add natural light, removing a wall to increase the size of a room, adding an accessible ground-floor bathroom and installing a fire alarm system. Constructing a new building that is designed to enhance a child’s development. Buying educational materials. Selected examples include books, musical instruments, developmentally appropriate toys and consumable supplies, such as paper, paint and chalk. Acquiring indoor furniture and fixtures. Selected examples include tables, chairs, cribs and sleeping mats. Creating an outdoor learning environment. Selected examples include building pathways, gardens or activity centers, such as a mud kitchen. Buying playground equipment. Selected examples include swings, sandboxes, shade areas, playsets and energy-absorbing material. Procuring health and safety supplies and other materials required to be licensed. Selected examples include first aid kits, electrical outlet covers and gates. Having sufficient working capital on hand for the first month. Selected examples include money to cover a week of pre-opening payroll and a month of children’s food while you register and onboard with the subsidy and USDA food programs. Eligibility Criteria Sole proprietors, partnerships, cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, and employers are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit CEI.

This program provides over $1.5 million in unrestricted funding to nonprofit organizations in Maine that are led by and serve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities, focusing on dismantling racial injustice and promoting racial justice initiatives.