Total grant dollars requested last cycle: $53,359
Total grant dollars awarded last cycle: $39,559
Percentage of proposals that received full funding: 67%
Percentage of proposals that received partial funding: 11%
Maximum grant size: $7,500
Average grant size last cycle: $4,395
Application deadline: September 15
Background
The Equity Fund's mission is to strengthen lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) organizations in Maine and support community-based initiatives that address LGBTQ issues and needs. The vision driving the fund is one of inclusive, diverse, prejudice-free communities for the LGBTQ population and for all people in Maine
Priorities
The Equity Fund currently encourages two types of grant proposals: project grants and capacity building grants.
Project grants: The Equity Fund encourages grant proposals to support a wide variety of projects, particularly those serving people living in rural and underserved communities in Maine. The Equity Fund committee has identified the following priority areas:
- Access to health care and reduction of health disparities
- Support for LGBTQ elders
- Education to promote respect and understanding of LGBTQ people
- Equality for LGBTQ families and individuals
- Reduction of anti-LGBTQ violence
- Social and cultural community-building activities
- Support for LGBTQ youth.
The Equity Fund normally will focus its support on projects that use the following strategies:
- Collaboration (building inclusive and diverse coalitions among LGBTQ organizations and between LGBTQ organizations and other sectors)
- Marketing and public relations efforts to improve the visibility of LGBTQ issues
- Activities that strengthen local leadership
- Efforts that are sustainable and have a lasting impact after grant funding is complete.
Capacity building grants: The Equity Fund encourages proposals for capacity building grants from organizations whose primary mission is to serve Maine’s LGBTQ community. Successful applicants will be able to describe how enhancing their organizational capacity will ultimately benefit the communities they serve.
The Equity Fund will support an array of capacity building activities that result in:
- Improved governance and leadership
- Improved staff skills
- Creation and implementation of outcomes-based strategic and business plans
- Improved services and programs
- Improved financial management
- Expanded strategic assets, including financial and human resources such as staff and volunteers.
Eligibility Requirements
All applicants must meet the Maine Community Foundation’s general grant eligibility requirements. In addition, please note that:
- Grants cannot pay for program expenses that have already been incurred.
How to Apply
Complete the online grant application by clicking the link in the Grant Application box at the top right hand corner of this page. Online applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. September 15.
Project Progress Report
All grant recipients will be required to submit a Project Progress Report (PDF | RTF | Word Document) approximately 10 months after receiving payment of the grant. Organizations that fail to file a progress report will not be eligible for future funding from Maine Community Foundation competitive grant programs for one year or until the missing report is filed.
Contact
If you have any further questions regarding the Equity Fund, please contact Lelia De Andrade by e-mail or by phone at (877) 700-6800.