Maine Income Security and Social Services Grants

This funding opportunity provides $200,000 each to nonprofit organizations and local government entities that help low- to moderate-income homeowners overcome challenges related to maintaining their homes.

This grant provides funding to states and territories to develop a coordinated early childhood education system that integrates various programs, including Head Start, to improve access and efficiency for families with children from birth to age five.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to small community organizations and Tribal entities in New England to tackle environmental and public health issues in disadvantaged communities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Maine that address basic human needs, promote humane animal care, expand healthcare access for underserved populations, and support public media initiatives.

This grant provides funding for tax-exempt organizations and local government agencies to support community-focused projects and activities in Coös County, NH, and neighboring areas in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations that provide stable housing and empower low- and moderate-income communities, focusing on vulnerable populations such as working families, youth, seniors, and veterans.

The Sam L. Cohen Foundation offers responsive grants to nonprofit organizations benefiting individuals in southern Maine, specifically Cumberland and York counties. The Foundation's mission aligns with supporting new and ongoing programs, capital improvements, and general operations for organizations whose values resonate with theirs. They are committed to improving the quality of life in southern Maine and promoting economic security and well-being through systemic change and public policy for social benefit. The foundation aims to foster imagination, provide access to the arts, ensure educational opportunities, support disadvantaged individuals, and preserve Jewish culture and tradition within the community. Target beneficiaries include low-income and underserved youth for arts and education, individuals needing access to civic engagement and economic security, underserved populations across the educational spectrum from pre-K to adulthood, historically and systemically disadvantaged individuals and communities for health and human services, and vulnerable members of the Jewish community. The Foundation's impact goals span increasing self-sufficiency, promoting healthy and productive lives, and ensuring food security. They also aim to reduce barriers to just and fair access to resources and opportunities for all, and to foster inclusion and understanding among diverse peoples. The Foundation's grantmaking focuses on five key areas: Arts and Culture, Civic and Community, Education, Health and Human Services, and Jewish Culture and Tradition. Within these areas, priorities include educational programming for low-income youth, supporting organizations working toward systemic change through public policy, providing opportunities for underserved populations in youth development and leadership, addressing access to healthcare and food security, and preserving Jewish education, tradition, and culture. They actively participate in various collaborative initiatives such as Portland ConnectED, The Campaign for Grade Level Reading, and the Maine Oral Health Funders Group. Expected outcomes involve stimulating imagination, enhancing arts education access, improving civic engagement, increasing educational attainment, fostering economic security, and ensuring access to healthcare and food for vulnerable populations. Measurable results are implied through their focus on school readiness, attendance, grade-level proficiency, high school graduation rates, and post-secondary enrollment and completion. The Foundation's strategic priorities emphasize supporting underserved populations, promoting human rights, demonstrating community support, and utilizing collaboration to strengthen networks and increase impact, reflecting a theory of change that values collective strengths and diverse perspectives to address community needs.

The Libra Foundation's grant program is designed to enhance the quality of life for Maine residents by strategically deploying its financial resources to stimulate economic development, foster entrepreneurial ventures, and create employment opportunities within the state. This initiative directly aligns with the foundation's core mission to support innovative and sustainable Maine-based business initiatives and programs. The foundation's strategic approach involves leveraging its assets to achieve economic benefits for Maine and its residents, while also prioritizing the welfare and betterment of children. This reflects a dual focus on both economic prosperity and social well-being, indicating a holistic theory of change that sees economic growth as a means to improve overall societal conditions, particularly for vulnerable populations. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are Maine residents, with a specific emphasis on children who stand to benefit from the funded initiatives. The foundation aims to achieve significant impact by supporting organizations that can develop and implement programs offering potential economic benefits across the state. This includes job creation, economic growth, and the fostering of entrepreneurial activity, all contributing to an improved quality of life. The expected outcomes are centered on measurable progress in these areas, with successful applications demonstrating clear pathways to sustainable development and positive community impact. The foundation's theory of change posits that by investing in innovative local businesses and programs, it can create a ripple effect of economic and social improvement throughout Maine. The Libra Foundation's priorities and focuses are broad, encompassing various areas of giving such as Arts, Culture & Humanities, Education, Environment, Health, Human Services, Justice, Public/Society Benefit, and Religion. This wide scope allows the foundation to address diverse needs within Maine while remaining committed to its overarching goals of economic development and child welfare. While the grant program has a general size of $10,000 to $100,000, individual grants will not exceed $25,000. This suggests a strategic allocation of resources to support a wider array of smaller, impactful projects rather than a few large ones, thereby maximizing the reach and diversity of its funding. To ensure the effectiveness and accountability of its grants, the Libra Foundation has clear eligibility criteria. Only organizations that have 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 are considered. This ensures that the foundation partners with legitimate and transparent entities, reinforcing its commitment to responsible philanthropy. The requirement for evidence of this determination at the time of application underscores the foundation's due diligence and strategic focus on supporting organizations that meet specific legal and ethical standards, thereby safeguarding its investments and maximizing the potential for positive outcomes for the residents of Maine.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals for the Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund (NEFRF), a program dedicated to restoring and sustaining healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands to provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife populations. This initiative aligns with NFWF's broader mission to protect and restore native wildlife species and their habitats, leveraging public and private funding to achieve significant conservation outcomes. The NEFRF, formerly known as the New England Forests and Rivers Fund, represents a strategic investment in the ecological health of the Northeast region, fostering biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The program's target beneficiaries include various fish and wildlife populations such as river herring, Atlantic salmon, brook trout, wood turtles, golden-winged warblers, New England cottontails, and bobolinks. Beyond wildlife, the program also aims to benefit agricultural producers, particularly those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by helping them design and implement conservation practices. The impact goals are centered on improving habitat quality and connectivity, enhancing forest conditions, and promoting hayfield management conducive to successful grassland bird breeding. NEFRF's priorities and focuses are outlined in NFWF’s Northeast Watersheds Business Plan (March 2023), specifically targeting strategies for Stream and Riparian Habitat, and Upland Forests and Grasslands. Key implementation strategies for 2024 include restoring stream and riparian habitats, improving forest management for age and structural diversity, and promoting hayfield management. A significant portion of funding, approximately $625,000, is set aside for projects that assist agricultural producers in adopting conservation practices beneficial to target species like northeast turtles and golden-winged warblers, while also increasing Farm Bill program participation. Additionally, the program encourages projects that involve community outreach, engagement, collaborative management, and the incorporation of traditional knowledge and community input. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved habitat for specific fish and wildlife species, enhanced age and structural diversity in forest blocks, successful grassland bird breeding, and increased participation of agricultural producers in conservation programs. Projects are expected to contribute to measurable conservation benefits through community input, co-design processes, and engagement with community-level partners (e.g., municipalities, NGOs, community organizations, community leaders) to ensure project design, implementation, maintenance, and long-term sustainability post-grant award. The grant duration is three years, with projects expected to start no later than six months after the award date. The NFWF's strategic priorities for the NEFRF reflect a theory of change that posits by investing in targeted habitat restoration, improved land management, and community engagement, ecological health will be restored and sustained, benefiting both wildlife and human communities. Funding is provided by a consortium of partners including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Zoetis Foundation, and Sylvamo, underscoring a collaborative approach to conservation. The program encourages a holistic view of conservation, integrating scientific best practices with local community needs and traditional knowledge to achieve robust and lasting environmental improvements across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and parts of New York.

The Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) is offering a grant program rooted in the belief that a career is essential for prosperity and economic stability for Mainers. This initiative aligns with the department's mission to help individuals chart their economic future. The grant aims to support tribal communities in connecting to employment, training opportunities, and retaining jobs. This Request for Applications (RFA) seeks to partner with tribal communities to address basic needs, engage individuals disengaged from the workforce, and support employment or training opportunities. The target beneficiaries for this grant are Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), and non-profits with demonstrated experience and success in serving tribal communities. Applications demonstrating partnership with specific tribes—the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Mi’kmaq Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the Penobscot Nation—are preferred. The impact goals are to address basic needs that hinder employment or job retention, and to connect disengaged individuals with workforce opportunities. The program's priorities and focuses include addressing basic needs not effectively met by existing programs like DINAP, WIOA Adult, Dislocated, Youth, or National Emergency Grants. This can encompass assistance with car repairs, childcare, housing issues, uniforms, broadband access, or other necessities for obtaining or retaining employment. Another key focus is to connect with individuals disengaged from the workforce who are not currently supported by existing DINAP, WIOA, or Department of Labor (DOL) programs. The expected outcomes include increased employment and job retention among tribal community members, and improved access to essential support services that remove barriers to workforce participation. The program anticipates making two to four awards, with a total funding of $500,000, and individual awards ranging from $75,000 to $250,000. The anticipated period of performance is September 2024 to September 2026. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the number of individuals assisted, job placements, job retention rates, and the types of basic needs addressed through the pilot projects.

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 grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont for various charitable activities, including capital projects and youth campership programs.

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 nonprofits in New Hampshire and select areas of Maine and Vermont that address essential needs and promote equity, health, and community well-being for underserved populations.

This grant provides financial support to Maine-based organizations that empower women and girls through programs focused on financial literacy, health education, leadership development, or policy advocacy.

This grant provides financial support to organizations in New Hampshire and Maine that help improve the well-being of older adults by reducing social isolation, enhancing caregiver support, and improving access to essential services.

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 grant provides funding to local organizations in underserved states and territories to implement educational programs that encourage youth aged 10 to 19 to avoid non-marital sexual activity and promote healthy life choices.