Maine Workforce Development Grants

This funding opportunity is designed to strengthen research capabilities in eligible jurisdictions by supporting collaborations among academic institutions, government agencies, and private industry to develop sustainable research infrastructure.

The Public Art Learning Fund, administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), is designed to fortify the public art landscape across New England by offering professional development opportunities directly to artists. NEFA's overarching mission, as reflected in this grant, is to cultivate more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant public spaces and public life throughout the region. This initiative aligns with NEFA's strategic goal of fostering a sustainable and equitable public art ecosystem by investing in the skills, resources, and connections of artists working in the public realm. The primary beneficiaries of this fund are artists residing full-time in one of the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) who are actively engaged in public artmaking or are in the process of expanding their practice into this domain. The fund aims to empower these artists, contributing to more just and inclusive public art. Expected outcomes include artists developing enhanced skills and resources, leading to the creation of more vibrant public spaces and a stronger regional community of practice. The Public Art Learning Fund prioritizes opportunities that specifically expand an artist's public art practice and contribute equitably to more just and inclusive public artmaking. NEFA seeks clarity on desired learnings and their application to the artist's practice. The fund welcomes artists at various stages of their public artmaking careers from urban, suburban, and rural communities, recognizing that diverse cultural and artistic expressions are crucial for equitable and vibrant public spaces. A key focus of this grant is equity. NEFA acknowledges that various barriers, including race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, and geography, can limit access to professional development. Therefore, the Public Art Learning Fund actively prioritizes equity in its funding decisions. This may include, but is not limited to, prioritizing artists who self-identify as Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and/or those who are rooted in rural communities, aligning with NEFA's theory of change that targeted support can address systemic inequities and build a more inclusive artistic landscape. Grants range from $500 to $3,000 and support opportunities taking place between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Eligible applicants must also have a Creative Ground profile, and the proposed professional development must directly relate to strengthening their public art practice and occur within the grant period. These measurable results, such as the number of artists served and the nature of their professional development, contribute to NEFA's broader strategic aim of fostering a more equitable and sustainable public art ecosystem in New England.

The Community Development Grant by Machias Savings Bank aims to improve community wellness, youth and education, and economic development in Machias Savings Bank’s primary lending area, focusing on low-to-moderate income individuals and/or families. The grant supports projects creating or retaining jobs, revitalizing communities, providing affordable housing, or other programs designed to assist low-to-moderate income individuals and/or families. The total grant amount is $100,000, with a maximum award of $10,000 per project. Eligible projects include business incubator programs, housing programs, technology assistance to entrepreneurs, mentorship for workforce development, youth-based entrepreneurship programs, financial wellness education, and nutritional support initiatives. The application opens on April 12th, with a deadline of May 17th, and recipients will be selected by June 14th.

The Child Health Research Awards Program by the Charles H. Hood Foundation aims to advance child health by providing grant support to newly independent faculty within New England-based pediatric researchers. The program offers two-year grants of $200,000 ($100,000 per year inclusive of 10% indirects) to researchers who are within five (PhD scientists) or seven (physician-scientists) years of employment following completion of training. The grants support hypothesis-driven clinical, basic science, public health, health services research, and epidemiology projects focused on child health. Application deadlines occur in the spring and fall of each year, with funding beginning every January 1st and July 1st. For complete eligibility requirements and application guidelines, visit CharlesHoodFoundation.org.

This grant provides funding to organizations and businesses in the Northeast to develop and expand dairy workforce training programs, enhancing opportunities for current and potential employees in the dairy industry.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations focused on empowering low- and moderate-income communities and underserved populations in New England and parts of New York.

This program provides a no-cost, 20-week development opportunity for small business owners in Massachusetts, Maine, or Rhode Island to receive mentorship and resources to grow their businesses and positively impact their communities.

This funding opportunity supports conservation projects that provide employment and training for young adults and veterans, helping them gain experience in environmental stewardship and resource management on public lands.

This funding opportunity supports various organizations in Maine to develop and implement projects that expand affordable housing options and workforce housing through community planning and collaboration.

The Maine Department of Education invites applications to fund climate education professional development for local education providers, with priority for historically underserved communities. The program increases student access to current environmental and climate education by supporting schools that have lacked instruction, partnerships, or field opportunities. Allowable costs include hiring or contracting program staff, stipends or incentives for teachers and staff beyond compensated time, curriculum and instructional material development, supplies, space rental, and administrative expenses. The department plans multiple awards with typical award size around 750,000 dollars, subject to final budgeting. Projects should demonstrate expanded access and clear benefits for priority student populations. Eligible applicants are local education providers, including school administrative units, schools in unorganized territories, career and technical education regions and programs, and schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Education. Applications should document community need, partnership approaches, and strategies to reach underserved students. Applications are due May 3, 2024. Grant duration is not stated. Additional information is available from the Maine Department of Education.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist migrant and seasonal farmworkers with employment services, training, and housing solutions.

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.

The Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program aims to advance sustainable agriculture practices by enhancing the knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers. This directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support sustainable agriculture through education and professional development. The grant focuses on empowering professionals who work with farmers, enabling them to teach, advise, or assist in the adoption of sustainable methods. The program seeks to create a ripple effect, where trained service providers then apply their learned expertise to help farmers improve their agricultural practices, fostering a more sustainable food system within the Northeast region. The primary beneficiaries of this program are agricultural service providers, including those in non-profit organizations, colleges, universities, Cooperative Extension, and other entities that serve the farming community. Additionally, the program extends its reach to other service providers such as real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys, who can indirectly influence farmers. The overarching impact goal is to cultivate a more resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape in the Northeast by equipping these professionals with the necessary tools and knowledge. Expected outcomes include increased adoption of sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices by farmers, improved ecological and economic resilience to climate change, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The program prioritizes a wide array of topics, encompassing marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture, and traditional ecological knowledge. A significant focus is placed on climate-smart agriculture practices, which are intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change. This includes practices such as reduced and no-till farming, cover cropping, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. The program's strategic priorities are clearly aligned with addressing contemporary agricultural challenges through education and practical application. Northeast SARE actively encourages projects from, or in collaboration with, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Furthermore, it encourages proposals from Minority Serving Institutions and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities, demonstrating a commitment to equity and inclusivity in agricultural development. The theory of change behind these priorities is that by supporting a diverse range of voices and institutions, the program can foster more innovative and equitable solutions for sustainable agriculture, leading to broader and more effective adoption of sustainable practices across the region. The expected measurable results include an increase in the number of service providers trained in sustainable agriculture, a documented increase in farmers adopting climate-smart practices, and the successful implementation of projects that demonstrate improved ecological, social, and economic resilience. Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000, with project lengths usually spanning 2 to 3 years, and a maximum allowed duration of 3.5 years. The program's geographical focus is exclusively on the Northeast region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., ensuring targeted and localized impact within this specific area.

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 RTP is a federal assistance program that provides funds to states for the development and maintenance of recreational trails and related facilities for both motorized and nonmotorized recreational trail uses. Funded through the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act for Federal fiscal years 2016 through 2020, the program supports a broad spectrum of trail activities such as maintenance, restoration, construction, and acquisition of land for recreational trails. The State of Maine participates in the RTP and has designated the Bureau of Parks and Lands to administer the program, focusing on projects that enhance public access, connectivity, and utilization of trails.

The Landfall Foundation is offering Project Grants to eligible non-profit organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. These grants are designed to partially or fully fund projects within the categories of Health & Welfare, Education, and Arts. The foundation's mission, as evidenced by these grant categories, is to support initiatives that improve the well-being and enrichment of the community through targeted project funding. The Project Grants have a specific purpose and are expected to be completed within one or two years, indicating a focus on concrete, time-bound outcomes rather than general operational support. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are residents within New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick counties in North Carolina. Organizations applying must demonstrate that their project's beneficiaries are located within these specific geographic areas. The impact goals are to support projects that align with the Health & Welfare, Education, and Arts sectors, leading to tangible improvements or advancements in these areas for the local community. The foundation explicitly states what it will NOT fund, such as direct aid to individuals, operating expenses, capital items already acquired, real property purchases, and start-up organizations (less than two years old), which further refines their target impact to specific, project-based interventions. The Landfall Foundation prioritizes projects that are not for political or religious promotion, do not involve transferring funds to other organizations, and are not from local branches of national organizations with internal fundraising staff. They also have a strong focus on non-discriminatory practices, explicitly stating that organizations discriminating on the basis of age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, race, or religion are ineligible. Furthermore, the foundation does not support research, feasibility studies, engineering, or planning, indicating a preference for projects ready for implementation and with direct, observable community benefits. Expected outcomes include the successful completion of specific projects within the stated one to two-year duration, leading to positive impacts in the areas of arts, health and welfare, and education. While not explicitly detailed, the requirement for a "specific purpose" for Project Grants suggests that measurable results would be tied to the objectives of each individual project. The grant size, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, with a maximum funding of $10,000, implies that the foundation is strategically investing in a range of projects, likely aiming for widespread, localized impact rather than large-scale, singular initiatives. Organizations are also ineligible if they have received a program grant in the previous year and haven't submitted a final or preliminary report by May 15, 2023, or if they received a capital grant in the current year, indicating an emphasis on accountability and preventing duplicate funding.

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 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.

Maine: Investing in Leaders of Color Grant Program offers a maximum award of $6,950 to support nonprofit leaders of color and their organizations. The program provides one-on-one coaching, a stipend for professional development and operating costs, and networking opportunities. It is designed for people of color in leadership positions in nonprofit organizations that serve communities of color and promote racial equity in Maine. Priority is given to leaders from organizations led by people of color. The grant consists of capacity-building funding, including one-on-one coaching, professional development, and operating costs. The program aims to promote and increase racial equity in Maine through supporting leaders and organizations serving communities of color.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for programs that train and certify workers in Maine's residential energy efficiency sector, promoting job placement and business development in clean energy careers.