2026 Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund

After July 15, applicants may review a Microsoft Word version of the grant application before applying online here.

Quick Overview

Recent Cycle Stats
Max Award: Usually $10,000
Interest Areas: Early Childhood, Youth
Geographic Area: Greater Portland
Types of Funding: General support, Project
Application Opens: July 15
Deadline: Sept. 15, 11:59 p.m.
Notification: By Dec. 30
Staff Contact: Katie Howard, khoward@mainecf.org, 207-412-0832
Apply: Click on the orange "Apply" button at the top right of this page.
Applications received: 65
Amount requested: $573,000
Number of grants awarded: 13
Grant dollars awarded: $97,800
Average Award: $7,523
Percentage of applicants that received grants: 20%
Additional grants by donors: 10 totaling $51,000
Recent Grants: Click here to view the last three years of grants.

Purpose

The Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund grant program supports youth engagement programs in Greater Portland that provide opportunities, develop aspirations, and/or support wellbeing for middle and high school aged 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 applying. If your organization doesn’t have a tax status and is applying using a fiscal sponsor, please read our fiscal sponsorship for competitive grant programs.

Your project must:

  • Be based in the Greater Portland area (Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Falmouth, Gorham, Portland, Scarborough, South Portland, Westbrook, and Yarmouth)
  • Focus on engagement for middle or high school students

Types of Funding

Project grants for new or expanding youth engagement programs for middle and high school aged youth.

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.

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

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.