Service Provider Grants

The Service Provider Grants offered through the Community Resilience Partnership aim to support regional organizations in helping Maine communities take tangible steps toward climate resilience and energy transition. Managed by the Maine Office of Community Affairs (MOCA), these grants are structured under two distinct tracks: Track 1 facilitates enrollment into the Community Resilience Partnership and the identification of priority projects, while Track 2 supports vulnerability assessments in communities already enrolled or in the process of enrolling. Both tracks reflect the program’s commitment to capacity building, community engagement, and evidence-based planning to address climate change risks. Track 1 grants empower service providers to support up to five communities by guiding them through the Community Resilience Partnership enrollment process. This includes activities such as completing self-assessments, holding stakeholder workshops, and formalizing climate governance through municipal resolutions. The objective is for each community to develop a prioritized list of climate and energy projects and submit applications for Community Action Grants or similar funding sources. This track has a 12-month expected performance period. Track 2 focuses on advancing resilience planning through community vulnerability assessments. These assessments, designed to be inclusive and data-informed, examine how climate hazards intersect with valued community assets. The process includes identifying at-risk populations, mapping potential impacts, and crafting actionable recommendations categorized by urgency (short-, medium-, and long-term). Track 2 grantees must help their communities use assessment findings to pursue additional funding. This track is expected to be completed within 18 months, with a maximum contract duration of 24 months. The grant allows for a maximum request of $15,000 per community, with a total cap based on group size (up to five communities). A 15% cost share is required and can include in-kind contributions. Allowable expenses include personnel, subcontractor costs, supplies, travel, indirect costs, and public meeting expenses. However, construction, equipment purchases, and unrelated staffing expenses are not eligible. All funded service providers are required to submit quarterly progress reports and a final case study detailing lessons learned. Eligible applicants include regional planning organizations, councils of governments, county governments, nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, academic institutions, and cooperative extension programs. While municipalities are generally ineligible, exceptions may be made for those with strong in-house capacity to serve peer communities. Applications must include letters of support from each participating community, indicating readiness and commitment to the grant’s goals. Each organization may apply once per track per round but may serve as a subcontractor on multiple applications. Applications are submitted through the MOCA grant portal (Submittable) and reviewed quarterly. Upcoming deadlines are May 15, August 14, and November 13 of 2026, and March 15 of 2027. Awards are made on a rolling basis as funding permits, with approximately $600,000 available in this round. Informational support, including recorded webinars and slide decks, is available via the Community Resilience Partnership website. For direct inquiries, applicants may contact Marina Tomer at [email protected]. Substantive Q&A responses are posted publicly for transparency. The program encourages inclusive planning and prioritization that supports underserved and climate-vulnerable populations.

Engage underrepresented populations; include all community support letters in the application; align with enrollment and funding goals.