Maine Employment Labor and Training Grants

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, schools, municipalities, and tribal entities in Maine to create accessible arts and cultural projects that address community needs and enhance local engagement.

This grant provides financial support to individual artists residing in Maine to create new work, enhance their skills, and engage with public audiences through various artistic projects.

This grant provides $1,500 to emerging and developing artists in Maine to support their creative projects and professional development.

This program provides funding to Wabanaki Tribes, Indigenous-led organizations, and community initiatives in Maine that promote sovereignty, cultural preservation, and collective well-being.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Maine that promote equitable access to outdoor education and environmental experiences, particularly those led by historically underrepresented groups.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in Lewiston and Auburn, Maine, that focus on collaborative initiatives to promote equity, youth leadership, and sustainable solutions in areas like economic development, health, and housing.

This funding opportunity supports hospice and bereavement services in Cumberland and York counties, focusing on enhancing volunteer programs and community awareness initiatives.

This program provides financial support to Maine businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by severe storms to aid in recovery and enhance resilience against future climate events.

This funding opportunity supports collaborative initiatives by nonprofit organizations, schools, and municipalities in specific Maine counties to create sustainable programs that improve the lives of children and youth facing various challenges.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and municipalities in six Maine counties to support health and human service programs focused on basic needs, substance use disorder, and early childhood development.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and municipalities in six Maine counties to implement programs addressing critical community needs such as basic needs, substance use disorder, and early childhood development.

This funding opportunity supports local organizations in Kennebec County that provide programs aimed at improving health, education, and financial stability, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This funding opportunity provides support for professional artists to collaborate with teachers in public schools of Penobscot and Washington counties, Maine, to integrate arts education into classrooms for grades 3-5.

This grant provides matching funds to nonprofit organizations in Maine for various historic preservation projects, such as restoring building exteriors and upgrading safety systems.

This program provides technical assistance to small and vulnerable communities in Maine to improve energy efficiency in public buildings and enhance resilience against climate change impacts.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to municipal and Tribal governments in Maine for projects that reduce energy costs, promote clean energy, and enhance community resilience against climate change impacts.

The Maine Department of Labor (MDOL), referred to in the following as the Department, is  grounded in the belief that a career is a major building block of prosperity and is vital to helping Mainers chart their economic future. Donor Name: Maine Department of Labor State: Maine County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/19/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: MDOL is seeking applications for pilot projects or approaches that support tribal communities in connecting to employment, training opportunities, and/or to support workers to retain jobs. The Department is releasing this Request for Applications (RFA) to support tribal communities to address basic needs, connect with individuals disengaged from the workforce, and support employment or training opportunities. The MDOL Bureau of Employment Services seeks to partner with tribal communities and partners that support tribal communities to:  Address basic needs not effectively met by existing Division of Indian and Native American Programs (DINAP), Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult, Dislocated, Youth, National Emergency Grant (NEG) or related programs to support job placement and job retention. This could include, but is not limited to, help with car repairs, childcare, resolution of a housing-related problem, uniforms, broadband access, or other items necessary to assist an individual in obtaining or retaining employment. Connect with individuals disengaged from the workforce not currently supported by existing DINAP, WIOA or Department of Labor (DOL) programs. Funding Information The total grant funding available for this initiative is $500,000. The Department anticipates making two (2) to four (4) awards. The maximum award amount $250,000, and the minimum is $75,000. The anticipated period of performance is September 2024 – September 2026. Eligibility Criteria Eligible organizations include Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) or Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) or non-profits with demonstrated experience and success in serving tribal communities. Applications that demonstrate partnership with the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Mi’kmaq Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the Penobscot Nation are preferred. For more information, visit MDOL.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community and non-profit public water systems in Maine for projects that protect and enhance the quality of drinking water sources.

The Maine Arts Fellowship recognizes artistic excellence in the overall career of a Maine artist. Donor Name: Maine Arts Commission State: Maine County: All Counties Type of Grant: Fellowship Deadline: 07/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Fellowships are not grants for artist projects; they are a merit-based awards that evaluated by a review panel on the level of artistic creativity and vision shown in the artist’s support materials.  One artist will be selected for each discipline, creating a cohort of 7 Maine Artist Fellows. Maine Artist Fellowships are available in each of the following artistic disciplines: Belvedere Handcraft (Available only to residents of Hancock or Washington County) Fine Craft Literary Arts Media Arts Performing Arts Traditional Arts Visual Arts Funding Information Award: $5,000. Grant Period July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. What an artist can expect as a Maine arts fellow? Unrestricted award to help advance artists career as they see fit Artist Bios hosted on Maine Arts Commission website and included in all digital publications Year Long promotion/communications of fellow’s activities. Fellowship Reception with Maine Arts Staff and Commissioners at the Blaine House in early 2025. Networking and other collaborative opportunities throughout the year. Note: Opportunities for fellows can change year to year and this list is subject to change throughout the year.(Award amount is not subject to change in this FY2025 cycle). Specific Fellowship Requirements Belvedere Handcraft – Available to craft artists of Hancock or Washington County only. Artists working in clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, paper, stone, wood or other studio craft mediums are eligible to apply. Craft artists in counties other than Hancock or Washington should apply for the Fine Craft Artist Fellowship. Fine Craft – Available for craft artists engaged in contemporary studio practice and/ or traditional materials such as clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, paper, stone, wood, or other mediums. Craft artists residing in Washington or Hancock counties should apply for the Belvedere Handcraft Fellowship. Literary Arts- Available to contemporary literary artists in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, and other writing genera.  Literary artists who work in the medium of scriptwriting for the stage or screen should apply in the performing arts fellowship category. Multimedia/Film- Available to media artists and filmmakers working in the disciplines of film, video, animation, podcasts, web series, and other performative works that are presented through a mediating technology (not meant to be experienced live). Photography artists should apply to the Visual Arts Fellowship. Performing Arts- Available to artists working in disciplines including theatre, dance, music, scenic design, opera, script writing and other genera intended to be presented as a live performance. Traditional Arts -Available to a person for the experience and commitment to the traditional art form they practice.  The program honors Maine traditional artists who have devoted their lives to keeping a particular traditional art form alive. These arts call for a deep connection to place and local practices and play an essential role in shaping a traditional artist’s work and repertoire. This could include maintaining cultural traditions in building, writing, music, dance, textile arts, carving, weaving, boatbuilding, and other heritage expressions practiced by established populations or new immigrant artists. Visual Arts – Available to artists working in disciplines including painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, photography, installation, and other visual arts genres. Digital art can fit within this category, but artists working with the moving image may wish to apply to the Media Fellowship. Eligibility Requirements Is an individual Maine artist or part of an artist collective (collectives may only apply once per award cycle, with one member as the primary contact and who submits the application). If applicable, has completed Final Reports required by the Maine Arts Commission for previous awards. Is a current Maine resident who has resided full-time in Maine for at least one year just prior to the application deadline. Will be a Maine resident throughout the project period. Is at least 25 years of age or older by the application deadline. Is not an enrolled student at the start of the award cycle (July 1) (Please contact the agency if you have questions). Has not been previously awarded a Maine Artist Fellowship. For more information, visit Maine Arts Commission.

Nonprofit organizations that benefit individuals living in southern Maine may request support by applying for a responsive grant. Donor Name: Sam L. Cohen Foundation State: Maine County: Cumberland County (ME), York County (ME) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Foundation will support new programs, on-going programs, and capital improvements. The Foundation will support general operations to organizations whose overall mission aligns with the Foundation’s values. The Sam L. Cohen Foundation will consider responsive grant requests for amounts up to $50,000; however, the average grants size awarded is less than $15,000. Focus Areas Arts and Culture Foundation invests in organizations and programs that stimulate imagination, provide access to the arts and arts education, and foster community through the arts. They are especially interested in educational programming for low-income and underserved youth audiences that celebrates creativity and provides meaningful experiences with the arts. They support organizations that create and present performances and programs in southern Maine. Civic and Community  Foundation is committed to supporting and improving the quality of life in southern Maine by ensuring individuals have access to opportunities to engage in civic life. To promote economic security and well-being, the Foundation invests in organizations that are working toward systemic change through public policy for social benefit. They are currently involved in and support the Immigrant and Refugee Funders Collaborative. Education Foundation believes that access to educational opportunities is the key to a successful life. The grantmaking spans the entire continuum of pre-K through college and adulthood, as they focus on providing opportunities for underserved populations in the areas of youth development, leadership, and enrichment. They collaborate with other funders, advocates, and experts in efforts that address school readiness and attendance, grade-level proficiency, high school graduation rates, and post-secondary enrollment and completion. They participate in or support several collaborative initiatives including: Portland ConnectED, The Campaign for Grade Level Reading, Count ME In, Maine Early Childhood Funders Group, Summer Learning Initiative, Right from the Start, and the Maine Resilience Building Network. Health and Human Services  Foundation believes in providing support to historically and systemically disadvantaged individuals and communities is a compelling focus. Today’s social, economic, and political challenges require it. The goal is to assist in increasing the number of people who are self-sufficient and lead healthy, productive lives. The giving consistently targets access to healthcare, including prevention services, health support services, and ensuring food security. They currently are involved in and support the Maine Oral Health Funders Group. Jewish Culture and Tradition Foundation participates in the Jewish community in southern Maine through support of institutions and programs that provide and preserve Jewish education, tradition, and culture. They partner with organizations that celebrate and promote Jewish art and creativity as well as agencies and synagogues who serve the vulnerable members of the Jewish community. Eligibility Criteria  must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; using a fiscal agent that is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, a church, synagogue, temple or mosque; or a political subdivision of the State of Maine that is exempt from federal tax must be located in and/or provide programs or services with direct impact on people in Cumberland and/or York counties, Maine must have submitted the final grant report if you received a grant previously from the Foundation must NOT have received a grant from the Foundation in the previous calendar year The foundation values organizations that work to: support underserved and underprivileged populations. reduce barriers to just and fair access to resources and opportunities for all. respond to community need by building on collective strengths drawn from diverse perspectives and ideas. promote human rights and understanding among peoples, address discrimination and hatred, and foster inclusion. demonstrate community support and engagement. utilize collaboration and partnership as a means to strengthen networks, increase impact, and leverage resources. For more information, visit SLCF.