Maine Community Foundation grants support organizations serving numerous geographic and interest areas. The foundation also offers a small number of grants for individuals. Award sizes, deadlines, and priorities vary for each fund.
Please visit the links below or review the grant deadline calendar at the bottom of this page for more information.
Competitive Grant Programs
The Community Building Grant Program (including the County & Regional Grant Program) supports projects that help to build and strengthen Maine communities. All grant decisions are made by local volunteers with strong connections to, and knowledge about, Maine communities.
The Belvedere Historic Preservation Grant Program supports the preservation or restoration of historic buildings in rural Maine communities.
The Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund supports nonprofits in the greater Portland area.
The Tibor and Anna Doby Veteran Support Fund provides grants to organizations working to more effectively deliver programs and services to veterans and their families living in rural regions of Maine.
John & Ellen Emery Science Grants encourage AOS #91 teachers to promote the study of science in their classrooms. These grants should increase opportunities for students to understand science and its relevance to their daily lives and, perhaps, inspire some of them to pursue careers in science and related fields.
The Equity Fund supports organizations that serve the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community of Maine.
The Fund for Maine Land Conservation seeks to support projects that advance land conservation and strengthen the ability of land conservation organizations and entities to conserve land.
The Hospice Fund awards grants to programs that support end-of-life volunteer and bereavement services in Cumberland and York Counties.
The Maine Charity Foundation Fund makes grants for a wide array of charitable purposes across the state. See the Maine Charity Foundation Fund page for more information.
The Maine Expansion Arts Fund supports indigenous, ethnic, or rural arts programs or projects.
The Maine Steeples Project funds the preservation of church steeples of historic, cultural, and community significance.
The Maine Theater Fund supports professional and community theaters in the production and presentation of live theater.
The Leonard and Renee Minsky Fund for Arts Education helps elementary school teachers in Washington and Penobscot Counties to bring art into the classroom.
The Peaks Island Fund supports the work of local nonprofits that bring residents together to improve life on Peaks.
The People of Color Fund provides grants for organizations that serve communities of color across Maine.
The Penobscot Valley Health Association Fund supports organizations and projects that enhance the well being of the greater Bangor community.
The PF Fund for the Baldwin Area funds projects that focus on efforts to bring residents together and improve life in the community.
The Ram Island Conservation Fund 25/25 Endowment Challenge is a one-to-one matching opportunity in which land trusts must raise $25,000 in new funds to secure a $25,000 grant.
The Rines/Thompson Fund's grantmaking is focused on improving the welfare of the citizens of greater Portland.
The Rose and Samuel Rudman Library Trust provides grants to libraries serving communities in northern and eastern Maine with populations of less than 10,000.
The Vincent B. and Barbara G. Welch Supporting Organization supports organizations in the greater Portland area with preference given to nonprofits working with youth, in education, health care, alcoholic rehabilitation, and arts and culture.
Grants from Donor-Advised Funds
The foundation holds a number of funds from donors who recommend grants for projects that interest them. All proposals submitted through our regular grant cycles are reviewed by staff and may be referred to one or more donors through this process. The Maine Community Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for grants from donor-advised funds. Please speak to a member of the grantmaking staff for more information.
Grants for Individuals
Several community foundation funds make grants to individuals for professional development and special projects. Please visit the Grants for Individuals page for more information.