Maine Women’s Fund Grant Program

The Maine Women’s Fund (MWF) is a grant program stewarded by the Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF). Originally established in 1988 by Gloria W. Milliken, a founder and board member of the New York Women’s Foundation, the fund was created to support initiatives that significantly improve the lives of women and girls in Maine. Over time, the MWF became an independent organization and has awarded over $3 million through more than 525 investments across the state. In 2022, the fund transferred its $3 million in assets to MaineCF to ensure long-term sustainability and growth under the foundation’s management. MaineCF continues to oversee the fund, maintaining its commitment to promoting social and economic equity for women and girls statewide. The MWF aims to make bold, transformative investments that target women and girls as primary beneficiaries. The program’s main objective is to support general operating needs of organizations through two-year general support grants. These grants are intentionally flexible and may be used for a range of purposes, including ongoing, new, or expanding programs, as well as operational and capital expenses. The maximum award available through this opportunity is $15,000 per year, for a total of $30,000 over two years. Applications are accepted biennially, with the next cycle opening on July 15, 2025, and closing on September 15, 2025. Award notifications will be issued by December 15, 2025. To qualify, applicant organizations must be based in Maine and serve women and girls within the state. To meet this definition, organizations must have a Maine address and provide at least two programs specifically designed to benefit women and girls. Priority is given to those serving underserved populations or regions within Maine. Additionally, organizations must focus on at least one of four designated areas: financial literacy, health education, leadership development, or policy/advocacy. A critical evaluation criterion is the inclusion of women and girls in shaping the organization’s services—this could be through involvement in program design, delivery, evaluation, or organizational leadership. The MWF grant program is not open to municipalities, K-12 public or private schools, institutions of higher education, or faith-based organizations. Applications must be submitted through MaineCF’s online grant portal. Interested applicants should log in through the designated “Log In” section on the MaineCF website and access the Online Grant System. A one-hour webinar providing an overview of the grant process will be offered on July 22, 2025, and recordings along with presentation slides will be made available on the grant webpage shortly thereafter. Grant proposals are first screened by MaineCF staff for eligibility. Eligible proposals are then reviewed by community advisors who will reach out to applicants for a brief phone interview. A community advisory committee reviews all proposals collectively, selecting those that align strongly with the fund’s criteria and demonstrate geographic diversity and high potential for positive, transformative impact. This rigorous review process ensures that the awarded grants go to organizations making meaningful contributions to the well-being of women and girls in Maine. Applicants with questions or uncertainty about eligibility are encouraged to contact Gloria Aponte C. at gaponteclarke@mainecf.org or call 207-412-0847. The grant cycle is recurring, with applications accepted every two years. The next anticipated opening after 2025 is expected in 2027.

Read the grant guidelines and eligibility criteria carefully; attend or review the July 22 informational webinar.