General Program Support Grant Program

The Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations (the Permanent Commission) is offering grants to develop and implement programs that address social drivers of health (SDOH) and build stronger community connections. This initiative aligns with the Commission's statutory mandate to improve public health outcomes, especially for racial, Indigenous, and tribal populations who have historically faced disproportionate chronic health and disease impacts, further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant program aims to deepen the Commission's relationships with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and community leaders, invest resources directly in Maine communities severely impacted by COVID-19, and support innovative community-led approaches to addressing SDOH. The target beneficiaries of this program are communities located within Maine, particularly those with racial, Indigenous, and tribal populations that have been historically marginalized and disproportionately affected by health disparities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact goals include improving public health outcomes, increasing social capital, and fostering stronger community connections within these communities. This program recognizes that persistent disparities in SDOH require targeted and community-driven solutions to achieve equitable health and well-being. The program prioritizes supporting CBOs in creating new and innovative community-led approaches to addressing SDOH for their communities. A key focus is on increasing social capital in historically marginalized communities by supporting community-building activities within Maine. Eligible applicants must be CBOs as defined by the RFA, meaning they are driven by and accountable to the community they serve, have a physical presence, and include community perspectives in determining priority issues and solutions. Proposed projects must specifically benefit communities within Maine. Expected outcomes include the establishment of stronger relationships between the Permanent Commission and CBOs/community leaders, direct investment of resources into severely impacted Maine communities, and the successful implementation of new, innovative, community-led initiatives addressing SDOH. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the number of CBOs partnered with, the reach of the programs, and indicators related to improved SDOH outcomes and increased social capital within the targeted communities. The total grant funding for this program is $300,000, with applicants able to apply for a minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of $75,000 over a contract period not exceeding 18 months or extending beyond December 2025. This funding supports the Commission's strategic priority of addressing health equity through community empowerment and direct resource allocation.