Maine Environment Grants

The Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust, established to honor the legacy of Margaret E. Burnham, a lifelong resident of Falmouth, Maine, supports nonprofit organizations operating within Maine. The Trust is dedicated to funding projects in five main areas: Community and Social Services (40%), Medical (10%), Education (20%), Arts and Culture (20%), and Environment (10%). It awards grants annually to tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, prioritizing those that do not request multi-year funding, and explicitly excluding awards to individuals or religious organizations. The Trust reviews applications once a year in December, with a submission deadline of October 1st. Occasionally, the Trust also recognizes organizations for exemplary work or significant promise in these focus areas without a formal request. Grant renewed every year. Annual deadline: October 1st

This grant opportunity, offered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands, is aimed at the acquisition, development, and maintenance of new trailered boat launches. The program supports state and local governments, among other eligible entities, to enhance public access to waterways for recreational boating. Eligible projects must serve as the primary recreational boating access for the general public. A pre-approval site inspection is required for project eligibility. The funding cap for new trailered launch projects is $100,000.

The Facility Start-Up/New License Grant will provide entrepreneurs interested in starting a new child care facility or opening a new, additional child care facility with funding to start a new business. Donor Name: Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) State: Maine County: Aroostook County (ME), Franklin County (ME), Penobscot County (ME), Piscataquis County (ME), Somerset County (ME), Washington County (ME) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Anyone interested in starting a child care facility (a child care business outside a home environment) is eligible to apply for a grant covering up to 50% of their start-up costs for a total award up to $80,000. The Facility Start-Up application is also for existing child care license holders adding an additional location. Priority Areas Priority will be given to applications from Aroostook, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset and Washington Counties. In addition, applicants committing to the following will receive bonus points: Providing care for infants Providing care for toddlers Providing care for families income-eligible for subsidy Participating in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. Uses of Funds Grant awards received may be used for the following purposes: Purchasing or renting a building and renovating it to deliver high quality child care. Selected examples include adding a window to allow for egress and to add natural light, removing a wall to increase the size of a room, adding an accessible ground-floor bathroom and installing a fire alarm system. Constructing a new building that is designed to enhance a child’s development. Buying educational materials. Selected examples include books, musical instruments, developmentally appropriate toys and consumable supplies, such as paper, paint and chalk. Acquiring indoor furniture and fixtures. Selected examples include tables, chairs, cribs and sleeping mats. Creating an outdoor learning environment. Selected examples include building pathways, gardens or activity centers, such as a mud kitchen. Buying playground equipment. Selected examples include swings, sandboxes, shade areas, playsets and energy-absorbing material. Procuring health and safety supplies and other materials required to be licensed. Selected examples include first aid kits, electrical outlet covers and gates. Having sufficient working capital on hand for the first month. Selected examples include money to cover a week of pre-opening payroll and a month of children’s food while you register and onboard with the subsidy and USDA food programs. Eligibility Criteria Sole proprietors, partnerships, cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, and employers are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit CEI.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

The Research and Education Grant program funds projects that result in gains in farmer knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes that are then applied to make measurable on-farm changes leading to greater sustainability. Donor Name: Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: The focus on farmer behavior change is a key requirement of this grant program. A wide variety of topics can be funded by Northeast SARE, including marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture and much more. Other aspects of projects funded through the Northeast SARE program include those that address climate-smart agriculture practices intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change; increase carbon sequestration; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-smart practices include reduced and no-till, cover crops, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. In addition, projects may address traditional ecological knowledge. Funding Information Awards typically range from $30,000 to $250,000. Grant Period Typical project length is 2 to 3 years. The maximum project length allowed is 3.5 years. Geographical Focus  The Northeast region includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. Eligible Applicants Research and Education Grants are open to anyone who works with farmers, including personnel at nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, Cooperative Extension, municipalities, tribal governments, state departments of agriculture, federal agencies, research farms and experiment stations, for-profit business entities (such as private consultants, farmers and veterinary practices), etc. Northeast SARE encourages projects submitted from or in collaboration with women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Additionally, they encourage projects submitted from or in collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions (including 1890s and other historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and tribal colleges and universities) and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities. Your organization must have the legal structure and financial capacity to receive and implement a Northeast SARE contract, including expending funds needed for the project prior to receiving reimbursements from Northeast SARE; advance payments are not possible. Projects must take place within the Northeast region. Applicants and host organizations may be located outside of the Northeast region if the project activities and the farmers served are located within the Northeast region. For more information, visit Northeast SARE.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to public and nonprofit organizations in Lewiston to deliver essential services that improve the quality of life for low- and moderate-income individuals and families.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations focused on wildlife conservation, environmental protection, and outdoor recreation projects in Northern New England, particularly in the Northern Forest and Gulf of Maine regions.

This funding opportunity supports collaborative projects and initiatives that promote healthy, resilient rural communities in Maine, focusing on areas like affordable housing, economic development, and climate change planning.

This award recognizes and rewards private landowners in New England who implement exceptional conservation practices that improve soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on their farms, ranches, or forestlands.

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 grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, governments, and educational institutions for projects that restore and sustain healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands to support diverse wildlife in the Northeast.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Maine that implement evidence-based cancer prevention programs targeting underserved communities and addressing key health risk factors.

This program provides funding for applied research and demonstration projects that utilize advanced wood materials in transportation infrastructure, prioritizing initiatives that enhance resilience to extreme weather and support economically distressed communities.

This grant provides financial support to dairy farmers and related organizations in the Northeast to improve farm operations, enhance milk quality, and address climate challenges.

This program provides funding and training to community organizations in historically underserved areas of New England and New York City to support local composting initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and community resilience.

This grant provides funding to grassroots organizations in Maine that focus on environmental and racial justice through community-led initiatives, advocacy, and capacity-building efforts.

This grant provides financial support to small community-based organizations in Maine that address urgent needs and promote social equity, particularly for under-resourced populations and environmental well-being.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations and educational institutions in Maine to implement evidence-based cancer prevention initiatives that target high-risk populations and promote health equity.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and local governments in select U.S. counties for innovative environmental education programs aimed at children and youth from under-resourced communities.

This program provides funding to support community development, workforce training, and sustainable business initiatives in the forest-based economy of rural areas in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont.