This fund supports projects that propose innovative ways to strengthen the health and welfare of the greater Bangor community. Priority is given to proposals that involve the targeted population in the design, implementation and evaluation of the project, draw upon the strengths of the community, and foster collaboration between community groups. PVHA awards one to five grants from $10,000 to $25,000. PVHA encourages potential grantees to use the foundation’s community-building priorities in preparing their applications.

Grant size: Varies
Application Deadline: May 15 (postmarked)

Background
The Penobscot Valley Health Association (PVHA) was established in 1906 through a number of generous bequests to help sufferers of tuberculosis in the greater Bangor area.  For many years the Association made charitable contributions to both treat and research the disease.  After newer drugs and methods of treating tuberculosis were developed, the Association turned its charitable interests to more general health and welfare projects in the greater Bangor area. In 1996, the Association moved its endowment and became a component fund of the Maine Community Foundation.

During the last funding cycle, the PVHA Committee received 7 applications requesting $146,474 and recommended awards for 5 proposals totaling over $106,684. The average grant size was $20,000.

Priorities
While there are some exceptions, the PVHA Fund primarily supports grassroots organizations and start-up projects that propose ways to strengthen the health and welfare of the greater Bangor community, defined as projects within a 30-mile radius of Bangor.  The PVHA advisory committee will also consider proposals from organizations outside the 30-mile radius provided the projects include individuals from the targeted population. 

The committee is particularly interested in supporting efforts to address the overlooked health needs of the community, especially project proposals targeting the physical and mental health needs of youth that are not being adequately met. Priority will also be given to proposals that involve the targeted population in the design, implementation and evaluation of the project; draw upon the strengths of the community; and foster collaboration between community groups.

The PVHA advisory committee will consider making renewable grants and/or awarding its entire annual grant budget to one project in the community.  Multi-year funding will be based upon submission of an annual application and regular progress reports.  The PVHA advisory committee also accepts proposals for capacity building projects from nonprofit organizations focused on strengthening the health and welfare of the greater Bangor community.  Successful applicants will be able to describe how enhancing their organizational capacity will ultimately benefit the communities they serve.  The PVHA advisory committee does not normally fund capital expenditures with the exception of equipment related to funded projects.

Project Evaluation
All grant recipients will be required to submit a Project Evaluation Report  approximately ten months after receiving payment of the grant.  For guidance on how to create an evaluation plan for your project, we have provided a resource guide, Developing a Project Evaluation Plan, you may find helpful in preparing your proposal.
 
 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 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).

How to Apply
Grant requests will be considered once a year.  Please use the application form below.  Organizations applying for a capacity building grant are asked to respond to the following supplemental questions in place of narrative question #9 found on our common application:

1. What are the major challenges your organization faces? How do those challenges affect your ability to accomplish your mission?

2. Please describe the capacity-building activity your organization proposes to undertake with support from the PVHA Fund that will address these challenges?

3. How do you expect the organization to be different once the activity is accomplished? How would the changes improve programs and benefit the community?

Proposals must be postmarked by May 15 and mailed to: