Purpose

The Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund grant program supports early childhood and youth engagement programs in Greater Portland. The directors of the fund recognize the critical roles parents and early childhood education providers play to ensure a child’s readiness to enter school on a path to success and the importance of youth engagement programs that help develop the aspirations and abilities of our youth.

Criteria

All applicants must meet the Maine Community Foundation’s grant eligibility requirements and non-discrimination policy. Please read our eligibility and grant guidelines and non-discrimination policy before submitting an application.

Your organization must:

• Be based in the Greater Portland area (Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Falmouth, Gorham, Portland, Scarborough, South Portland, Westbrook, and Yarmouth)
• Focus on one of the following issue areas:
  • Young children aged birth to age eight, their families, or teachers
  • Engagement for middle or high school students.

Note: This program will not award a grant to the same organization for four consecutive years.

Types of Funding

This grant program provides:

• General support grants for flexible funding of any type such as new/expanding/ongoing programs and operational needs including capital expenses. Your organization’s purpose or mission must focus on one of the two issue areas listed in the criteria (early childhood or youth engagement).
• Project grants for new or expanding early childhood or youth engagement projects or programs.

*NOTE: Answers to general support application questions should focus on your organization’s work (not a specific project) and how your organization meets the grant program criteria because general support awarded to an organization is for any purpose, not restricted to a specific project.

Additional Information

• Collaboration between and among organizations is encouraged. A letter from the executive director of each collaborating organization is required to explain the level of involvement and responsibility. For organizations partnering with schools, a letter from a school official is required.
• If you are a large organization with multiple programs, it is recommended you request project funding versus general support.

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.