The Maine Community Foundation has several funds that make grants to individuals for professional development and special projects.
The Vincent Astor Incentive Award Fund program was established in 1984 to improve the quality, productivity, and effectiveness of education in the Town of Mount Desert through grants to the staff of Mount Desert Elementary School, the Northeast Harbor Library, and the Mount Desert Island High School.
The Martin Dibner Fellowship for Maine Writers Fund provides grants to promising Maine writers who have not published a full-length book to allow them to further their writing skills and experience. This program is now being managed by the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance; contact them by e-mail or by phone at (207) 228-8263 for more information.
The Gracie Fund offers tuition-reimbursement incentives to encourage natives of Washington County, or those who consider Washington County their “home”, to return to or remain in their communities following completion of their post-secondary education.
The Keepers Preservation Education Fund was established to support aspiring or established historic preservation professionals who wish to increase their professional knowledge or career potential. Awards may be used for tuition, professional meeting attendance, special book or other types of media purchases, domestic and foreign study travel, and other purposes as deemed appropriate.
The Jane Morrison Memorial Film Fund supports educational opportunities for filmmakers who are in the early stages of career development.
The Patience W. Norman Prize for Teacher Excellence was established to recognize outstanding, full-time teachers in MSAD 52 who emulate her education philosophy.
The Pegasus Fund supports the personal growth, whims, and fantasies of Breakwater School faculty and staff, knowing that in so doing, they will enrich the lives of the children at Breakwater School.