Maine Humanities Grants

This funding opportunity provides up to $2,000 to nonprofit organizations in Maine for humanities projects that engage the public and support under-resourced communities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and communities in Maine for humanities projects that promote public engagement and exploration of cultural and educational initiatives.

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 funding to Maine organizations for community projects that creatively combine arts and humanities to engage people in meaningful discussions about their culture and experiences.

This grant provides funding to Maine-based agricultural producers, processors, and organizations to enhance the capacity and resilience of the food supply chain through the purchase of essential equipment.

The Libra Foundation is currently seeking applications to improve Maine residents’ quality of life by leveraging its financial assets to spur economic development, further entrepreneurial activity and create jobs in the State of Maine. Donor Name: Libra Foundation State: Maine County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The organization has worked to realize its goals primarily by making grants to organizations that it expects to develop innovative and sustainable Maine-based business initiatives and programs that provide for the welfare and betterment of children. Libra Foundation focuses its support primarily upon efforts that offer potential economic benefits to the State of Maine and its residents, and the support of children, the Foundation also funds organizations and efforts that work to realize social progress.  Areas of giving include Arts, Culture & Humanities, Education, Environment, Health, Human Services, Justice, Public/Society Benefit and Religion. Funding Information Grants will not exceed $25,000.00 Eligibility Criteria  No application will be considered from an organization unless it has been determined to be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and “not a private foundation” under Section 509(a) of the Code. The Foundation will need evidence of this determination for its files at the time of application for a grant. For more information, visit Libra Foundation.

Arts and Humanities Grants supports organizations in Maine that present stories and cultural expressions of the state, its communities, and its people. Donor Name: Maine Humanities Council State: Maine County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/14/2024 Size of the Grant: Less than $1000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: A partnership between the Maine Humanities Council and the Maine Arts Commission, these grants support innovative community projects that have both arts and humanities components. Organizations serving and/or led by members of communities traditionally under-resourced in the arts and humanities are encouraged to apply. They evaluate proposals on their strength and clarity in the following areas: arts and humanities content, project goals and impact, project design, outreach and engagement, and budget. Funding Information Up to $1,000. Eligibility Criteria  Organizations with 501c3 status, government organizations (such as a federally recognized Indian tribal governments or organizations or state/local/city governments), churches, or education organizations (such as schools or school districts, or public or private institutions of higher education) are eligible to apply without fiscal sponsorship. For more information, visit MHC.

Project Grants from the Rines Thompson Fund are aimed at supporting new or expanding projects that focus on key issue areas such as environment and conservation, early childhood and youth programming, and arts and culture. These grants are designed to foster innovation and growth in projects that enhance the community's vibrancy in Greater Portland. Projects must be located in specified areas and address the fund’s core issues to be eligible. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadlines: July 1st to September 16th

General Support Grants from the Rines Thompson Fund are designed to assist ongoing programs and operational needs of organizations that primarily work in environment and conservation, early childhood and youth programming, and arts and culture. These grants support organizations based in specified areas to ensure the stability and continuity of existing programs that contribute to the community’s well-being. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadlines: July 1st to September 16th

Maine Expansion Arts supports arts organizations and programs that serve rural communities and/or Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) in Maine, focusing on regions with limited arts access. The grant offers two tracks: one for organizations serving rural communities and another for organizations led by or serving BIPOC communities. General support grants are available to sustain ongoing programming and operational needs, while project grants aim to fund new or expanding arts-based projects or programs. Eligibility is mainly for arts organizations with annual operating budgets under $250,000. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadlines: July 1st to September 16th

The Maine Theater Fund is dedicated to bolstering and sustaining theater performance across Maine. It invites funding applications from nonprofit theaters or theater groups at local, regional, and statewide levels, focusing on live theater production. Eligible projects can receive support for various needs, including programming, capacity-building, operational costs, and capital investments. Applicants are encouraged to submit a list of productions from the current or previous season, along with audience numbers and limited project information. The fund emphasizes strengthening the state's cultural landscape through theatrical arts. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadlines: July 1st to September 16th

The Leonard and Renee Minsky Fund for Arts Education aims to enhance arts education by enabling professional artists to collaborate with teachers in developing arts programs for grades 3-5 in public schools within Penobscot and Washington counties. This grant supports projects that integrate visual and/or performing arts into the curriculum, aligning with Maine Learning Results standards. Eligible applicants include schools meeting these criteria, with a focus on collaborative proposals involving arts teachers. Applications are accepted via email and must adhere to specific budgetary requirements, primarily allocating funds to professional artists' fees. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadlines: September 15th to December 16th

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofits dedicated to helping at-risk youth thrive through essential programs like mentoring, after-school activities, and mental health services.

This program provides over $1.5 million in unrestricted funding to nonprofit organizations in Maine that are led by and serve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities, focusing on dismantling racial injustice and promoting racial justice initiatives.

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

Grant Opportunity: City of Lewiston Community Development Block Grant (Maine) The City of Lewiston is offering the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to assist in developing viable urban communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities for low-moderate income individuals. The grant funds are specifically designated for activities associated with preparing for, responding to, or recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible activities include public services, public facilities and infrastructure improvements such as building rehabilitation, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, installation of public works and facilities. Additionally, eligible expenses covered by the CDBG-CV funds include labor, supplies, materials and operation/maintenance of the facility where a public service is located. Applicants are required to provide detailed documentation including activity descriptions, client demographics and project budgets. For more information on eligibility and application process, visit City of Lewiston's website.

This program provides financial support for the assessment and restoration of church steeples in Maine, targeting religious institutions, nonprofits, and municipalities in smaller communities with significant historic and cultural value.