Grant size: Up to $5,000
Application Deadline: November 15

Background
The Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund was established by the will of his daughter, Mabel Stewart Daveis, in 1943 to honor her father and to benefit nonprofit organizations serving the greater Portland area. Mr. Daveis was a member of a prominent Portland family with roots in the community dating back to 1785. After distinguished careers in banking and law, Mr. Daveis became president of the Portland Gas Light Company, one of the first 25 gas utility companies in the United States. He was also involved with the Portland Locomotive Company, a subdivision of the Portland Company. Mabel Stewart Daveis and her sister Mary Gilman Daveis were generous benefactors who supported many local civic organizations.

Priorities
Grants will be awarded for projects that benefit the communities of the greater Portland area. Collaboration among nonprofits is encouraged, and a letter of support from each partner should be included with the application.

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be nonprofit, 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt organizations, public schools, public agencies, or Indian tribal governments (and their political subdivisions) recognized by the Department of the Interior or have a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3) organization, public school, public agency, or Indian tribal government (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.

Grants will not be made to annual funds or endowments.

Note: Eligible organizations that have received grants from other Maine Community Foundation funds in the last 12 months are still eligible to apply to the Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund.

Project Evaluation
All grant recipients will be required to submit a Project Evaluation Report upon completion of the project or by the date specified in the award letter. The resource guide Developing a Project Evaluation Plan may prove helpful in preparing your proposal.

How to Apply
Proposals and attachments may be e-mailed to pcleghorn@mainecf.org or mailed to:
   Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund
   Maine Community Foundation
   One Monument Way, Suite 200
   Portland, ME 04101

When to Apply
Applications must be received by e-mail or postmarked by November 15. Awards will be announced in December. All applicants will receive notice of the committee's decisions.

Contact
If you have questions or would like to discuss an idea before submitting a proposal, please contact Pam Cleghorn via e-mail or by phone at (207) 761-2440.

Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund Application
PDF format | RTF (word processor) format

Back to list of available grants