Community Building Grant Program Statistics
Total grant dollars requested last cycle: $2,043,287
Total grant dollars awarded last cycle: $407,032
Maximum award size last cycle: $12,000
Average grant size last cycle: $3,920
Statewide Fund Statistics
The Statewide Fund is for organizations applying for multi-county projects and for organizations in Kennebec, Sagadahoc, or Lincoln Counties, which currently do not have their own county or regional fund.
Total grant dollars requested last cycle: $488,473
Total grant dollars awarded last cycle: $75,250
Percentage of proposals that received full funding: 7%
Percentage of proposals that received partial funding: 18%
Maximum award size last cycle: $8,500
Average grant size last cycle: $5,375
Application deadlines: January 15, May 15
The Community Building Grant Program seeks to support organizations and programs that recognize and build on a community’s strengths and assets. Awards are made by MaineCF's county and regional committees and a statewide committee that reviews proposals both from counties without county committees and organizations whose projects are statewide in scope.
The Community Building Grant Program will only support projects that clearly meet all three of the following core criteria:
- Use of existing community resources: The proposed project uses the skills, services, materials, and/or time that people and organizations in the community can and will provide.
- Ability to strengthen community life: The proposed project makes the community stronger by helping it address current or future challenges.
- Sustainability: The proposed project will continue to affect the community after MaineCF funding has been exhausted. This is because the project is designed to have long-term impact and/or because there are realistic plans to acquire future funding.
To be considered for funding, proposed projects must also meet one or more of the following priorities:
- Develop community relationships: The proposed project uses new partnerships or collaboration between the applicant and other community organizations. These new partners will help plan and develop the project.
- Involve community members: The proposed project engages community members who will benefit from the project. These community members are included in the planning, implementation, and/or evaluation of the project.
- Advance community leadership: The proposed project fosters the development of community leaders. It includes opportunities for community members to improve or practice new leadership skills.
Types of Support
The Community Building Grant Program will award two types of grants: Project grants for new and expanding programs and grants to improve organizational effectiveness, also known as capacity building.
Grants for New Program Development or Program Expansion: Organizations may request support to develop and implement new programs or for the expansion of an existing program that is proven to be successful at meeting its stated objectives. In addition, organizations seeking support for program expansion should use program practices that have been proven to be successful in earlier implementations of that project.
Capacity Building Grants: Organizations may request support for activities focused on strengthening their operations or strategic focus or improving program effectiveness in specific areas. Examples include long-range planning, use of technology to improve program delivery or operations, or board development. Applicants need to explain how the proposed activities are expected to improve the organization’s impact. Capacity building grants can be used to support staff time required to accomplish proposed activities. For more information, please see Frequently Asked Questions about Capacity Building.
The Community Building Grant Program will not support the following types of programs or fundraising efforts because they primarily provide very indirect or delayed benefit to the community:
- Ongoing operating support: This includes support for overhead and ongoing administrative costs such as rent, phone, and office supplies; salaries of key staff such as the executive director, or administrative staff; and activities that are a normal part of the organization’s mission with no clear start or ending dates.
- Endowments or capital campaigns: Activities designed to increase capital or assets of organization. These include costs related to verbal or written requests for financial support such as appeal letters or fundraising events.
- Camperships: This includes funding for admission, enrollment, tuition, or other costs related to individual or group attendance at a short-term recreational or educational program.
- Capital equipment: Materials or equipment used for general operations and valued at more than $250. This includes doors, roofs, ramps, furniture, or tools.
Grant Size
Grants are available for up to $10,000. These funds cannot be used to support existing programs, capital projects, scholarships, or purchase of equipment over $250.
Grants are for one year of support. Please note that while the maximum award is for $10,000, available grant resources will restrict many committees from being able to fund projects at this level. Staff routinely update individual grant program web pages with information about average award sizes and percentage of applicants that received full or partial funding.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be nonprofit, 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt organizations, public schools, public agencies working for the State of Maine, or Indian tribal governments (and their political subdivisions), recognized by the Department of the Interior or applicants must have a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3) organization, public school, or public agency (click here for more information on applying with a fiscal sponsor).
- Grants cannot be made for lobbying or religious activities.
- Grants cannot pay for program expenses that have already been incurred.
- Organizations located outside the State of Maine must demonstrate that they are working with a Maine-based group to develop and implement the proposed project.
- Applicants who have received a previous grant through the Community Building Grant Program must wait until 12 months have passed since the deadline date of their funded application before applying to this program again.
How to Apply
Grant requests will be considered twice a year. Proposals must be postmarked by January 15 or May 15 and mailed to:
Grantmaking
Maine Community Foundation
245 Main Street
Ellsworth, ME 04605
The Community Building Grant Program does not accept applications via fax or e-mail.
Applicants will be notified in late March (for the first cycle) and late July (for the second cycle) of the final decisions.