Best Grants for Youth Programs in Maine

Maine youth-serving nonprofits and other U.S.-based charitable organizations can seek support for programs that improve communities and families, promote education, and encourage wellness. Maine youth programs can access funding through Encova Foundation of West Virginia, which prioritizes initiatives impacting health, education, safety, and children, especially where Encova associates are actively involved.

Maine youth-serving organizations focused on food access and hunger relief can access funding through the Kiwanis Foundation of New England to run End Hunger New England meal-packing projects. Divisions or SLP administrators that contribute to a 10,000-meal project may receive up to US $2,500, with potential for a second grant if funds remain.

Kiwanis clubs in good standing in the New England and Bermuda District can apply for funding to support youth-focused community service projects in Maine and beyond. Grants from Kiwanis Foundation of New England help clubs launch innovative, child-serving programs, with up to US $1,000 available and preference for projects reaching many children or leveraging matching funds.

Maine 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, municipalities, and for-profit or nonprofit event organizers can seek support for youth and education programs, financial literacy, workforce development, housing, and economic development projects. Focused on community impact, Machias Savings Bank invites requests for donations, sponsorships, pledges, and capital support that especially benefit low- and moderate-income youth and families.

Nonprofits serving low-income youth, immigrants, refugees, Indigenous communities, and elders in Maine can seek US $2,500 - US $10,000 for youth services, education, arts access, basic needs, and related programs. With a mission to support environment, health and welfare, arts, education, and churches, Adelard And Valeda Roy Foundation prioritizes projects in Northern New England communities.

The Ludcke Foundation

Guidelines

To identify and support charitable endeavors that provide needed resources and services to children and families, with an emphasis on emotional and physical health, education, and social development.

The Foundation devotes its grants to the fields of education, health, and human services. The trustees have a special interest in programs that focus across two or three of the foundation’s areas of interest and in partnering with other donors with similar objectives to enable more ambitious projects.

Current Grantmaking Preferences

Job training for systems involved young people, job training for adults facing significant barriers, and limited support for innovative approaches to helping children in underserved New England communities overcome significant and often overlapping barriers to educational success.

Access to health programs for all ages, and behavioral health services for children and teens in underserved communities or otherwise facing significant barriers.

Homelessness prevention, housing assistance, food security, legal assistance, holistic family support, support for young people at risk, and support for victims of domestic violence.

Maine 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups running youth, food justice, reproductive justice, or climate justice programs can seek support through Wild Geese Foundation. Focused on youth services, it prioritizes intersectional, community-based efforts, including New England food justice and sustainable agriculture projects expanding access to affordable, healthy food.

Maine nonprofits running youth and family programs that strengthen whole-family wellbeing can access funding to support vulnerable children and caregivers. John T Gorman Foundation provides Maine youth services with invitation-only grants for two-generation strategies that prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences and improve outcomes in education, health, social capital, employment supports, and family economic stability.

501(c)(3) organizations in Maine running youth programs or environmental initiatives can apply for Sprague’s charitable contributions, with awards from US $250 - US $10,000. Funding supports impactful, community-based projects, especially those benefiting children or advancing environmental stewardship within Sprague’s operating areas.

Children’s hospitals and general hospitals with pediatric departments in Maine can receive Joy in Childhood Foundation support to host prom-like events for teen patients unable to attend their own school prom. Grants of US $20,000 - US $50,000 help cover themes, space, food, entertainment, formal wear, and other youth-focused program needs.

Children’s hospitals, general hospitals with pediatric departments, and nonprofits serving ill children in Maine can receive US $25,000 - US $65,000 from Joy in Childhood Foundation to build or expand pediatric gaming programs. Funding can cover gaming specialists, equipment, systems, connectivity, and virtual programming, with a focus on engaging teen patients during hospitalization.

Maine 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting youth, families, or vulnerable people can apply for Agnes M. Lindsay Trust grants of US $1,000 - US $7,500 for health and welfare, dental care, food security, shelters, and camp scholarships. Grants may help youth programs expand services, equipment, capital projects, or operating support in eligible communities.

Maine Recovery Council for Opioid Abatement Resources

The Maine Recovery Council was established pursuant to the Maine State Subdivision Memorandum of Understanding (PDF) and Agreement Regarding Use of Settlement Funds and Title 5, section 203-C. The purpose of the Council is to direct the disbursement of funds within the Maine Recovery Fund for specific uses throughout the state to address the opioid crisis in Maine. Examples of approved uses are reversing overdoses through naloxone or other FDA-approved drugs, expanding the availability of medication assisted treatment for Mainers struggling with opioid use disorder, helping Mainers avoid opioid use through evidence-based prevention programs, and providing additional special education resources to Maine school administrative units.

Maine Recovery Council Grants: Coalitions Working to Strengthen Community Conditions - Request for Proposals

Purpose

The Maine Recovery Council (Council) announces a multi-year funding opportunity to strengthen community-level prevention efforts across Maine, that strives to prevent opioid and substance use disorders. Supported by opioid settlement funds, this Request for Proposal (RFP) provides funding to community coalitions working to advance sustainable, prevention-focused strategies that improve community conditions and reduce risk for substance misuse and disorder.   

Through this initiative, the Council seeks to invest $1.95 million over three years to support community coalitions that are community- and youth-led, culturally relevant, and deeply engaged with people and communities most impacted by opioid use disorder to improve community conditions. 

 The Council seeks to:  

• Invest in addressing core community conditions that lead to healthier communities and reduce risk of substance use disorders: housing, income, basic needs  
• Empower local coalitions who know their communities best and who have strong trusted relationships  
• Strengthen family and child well-being to build resilience, connection, and hope

See further details from the RFP website.

Grant Types

This funding opportunity is for Planning Grants and Implementation Grants. Coalitions must choose which type of grant best suits their situation as only one application per coalition may be submitted.

Grant Type B: Implementation Grant

Implementation Grants will support existing coalitions with the implementation of activities that address upstream community conditions, including technical assistance, capacity building, coalition infrastructure, staffing, and/or specific programs. These grants may also be used to expand an organization’s reach to additional high priority populations.

Maine Recovery Council for Opioid Abatement Resources

The Maine Recovery Council was established pursuant to the Maine State Subdivision Memorandum of Understanding (PDF) and Agreement Regarding Use of Settlement Funds and Title 5, section 203-C. The purpose of the Council is to direct the disbursement of funds within the Maine Recovery Fund for specific uses throughout the state to address the opioid crisis in Maine. Examples of approved uses are reversing overdoses through naloxone or other FDA-approved drugs, expanding the availability of medication assisted treatment for Mainers struggling with opioid use disorder, helping Mainers avoid opioid use through evidence-based prevention programs, and providing additional special education resources to Maine school administrative units.

Maine Recovery Council Grants: Coalitions Working to Strengthen Community Conditions - Request for Proposals

Purpose

The Maine Recovery Council (Council) announces a multi-year funding opportunity to strengthen community-level prevention efforts across Maine, that strives to prevent opioid and substance use disorders. Supported by opioid settlement funds, this Request for Proposal (RFP) provides funding to community coalitions working to advance sustainable, prevention-focused strategies that improve community conditions and reduce risk for substance misuse and disorder.   

Through this initiative, the Council seeks to invest $1.95 million over three years to support community coalitions that are community- and youth-led, culturally relevant, and deeply engaged with people and communities most impacted by opioid use disorder to improve community conditions. 

 The Council seeks to:  

• Invest in addressing core community conditions that lead to healthier communities and reduce risk of substance use disorders: housing, income, basic needs  
• Empower local coalitions who know their communities best and who have strong trusted relationships  
• Strengthen family and child well-being to build resilience, connection, and hope

See further details from the RFP website.

Grant Types

This funding opportunity is for Planning Grants and Implementation Grants. Coalitions must choose which type of grant best suits their situation as only one application per coalition may be submitted.

Grant Type A: Planning Grant

This grant type is for coalitions that are moving from focusing on individual prevention and direct service efforts to approaches to address upstream community conditions. Planning Grants will support planning, technical assistance, capacity building, and learning opportunities for shifting focus. 

Maine 501(c)(3) public charities serving youth and children can access funding for youth services, education, health, and related programs through Libra Foundation, with awards up to US $25,000. Eligible projects must take place within Maine and may also involve arts, environment, human services, justice, public benefit, or religion-focused activities.

Nonprofit organizations serving children and youth in Maine and other eligible regions can receive donated toys to distribute to the kids they serve. The Toy Foundation supports youth services by channeling industry toy donations through regional logistics partners, allowing approved member organizations to pick up toys quarterly from nearby facilities.

Rural Health Transformation Program

Strengthening Rural Health Care Across Maine

Maine’s Rural Health Transformation Program is a five-year federal grant program designed to improve health outcomes, expand patient access to care, strengthen the health care workforce, advance innovation, and support sustainable rural health systems.

Supported by an initial $190 million (Year 1) federal investment, the Program will help Maine’s rural communities, providers, and partners implement solutions that improve care today while building a stronger health system for the future.

Maine’s Five Strategic Initiatives

• Population Health

• Workforce

• Technology & Innovation

• Access

• Sustainable Rural Health Ecosystems

Learn more on the Maine RHTP website.

Technology & Innovation

Summary: Modernize rural health care delivery through technology that improves access, coordination, and efficiency. This initiative supports telehealth, health information exchange, digital health tools, electronic medical record modernization, and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Maine RHTP Technology and Innovation Strategies

A statewide initiative facilitated by MCD Global Health to bring digital health, augmented intelligence, and modern infrastructure to the rural communities that make Maine, Maine.

MCD Global Health is leading the Innovation and Technology pillar—bringing tested digital health tools, augmented intelligence (AI), and electronic health record modernization to clinicians, schools, skilled nursing facilities, and the people they serve.

Three Strategies One Goal

• Digital Health Projects
• Rural Health AI Hub
• EMR Modernization

Each initiative addresses a specific gap in rural Maine's healthcare ecosystem. From the technology that connects providers to patients to the data systems that keep records moving with people across settings of care.

Digital Health Projects

MCD Global Health (MCD) was selected as a subawardee to support the implementation of Maine’s technology and innovation initiatives in close collaboration with Maine DHHS and statewide partners. This includes supporting the implementation of a variety of digital health solutions and modalities, including telehealth, remote-patient monitoring, provider-to-provider consultations, and digital therapeutics deployed across partner sites, with a focus on reducing distance as a barrier to specialty care, behavioral health, and chronic disease management.

Digital Health Projects: Youth Tele-behavioral Health Program

Telehealth Expansion: Direct-to-patient Care

Project Details

A statewide program expanding youth tele-behavioral health services to increase access to youth-serving clinicians with a focus on rural areas, school partners and students ages 12-18. Rural Maine communities often have worse behavioral health outcomes than the national average. Similar models of this program have been successfully implemented in select school districts in response to access barriers faced by remote regions of Maine. While these models have included a Community Health Workers (CHW) embedded in school districts to help with facilitation, proposals are not limited to this model. Additionally, this program is not restricted to facilitation in the school setting only, as youth may also prefer to access appointments at home or in another setting.

Who We're Serving

School-aged students and youth across Maine, with a focus on ages 12-18 in rural zip codes. While Maine is experiencing a behavioral health workforce shortage, rural populations face additional barriers, such as long travel times.

Objective

Expand youth tele-behavioral health services to the school setting to increase access to youth-serving clinicians with a focus on rural school districts and grades 6-12 or ages 12-18. Provide assistance for student referrals both during and outside of school hours.

The Yocha Dehe Community Fund, established by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation in 2000, supports initiatives that strengthen communities throughout Yolo County and beyond. With nearly $40 million in grants, the Fund prioritizes projects in health, education, Native arts, and environmental protection. The Tribe's commitment involves active participation in the grant process, ensuring impactful partnerships with various organizations. New applicants must register on the grant portal and submit a letter of inquiry to be considered for funding.

The CDC's National Centers of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention (YVPCs) aim to expand the evidence base for preventing youth violence among individuals aged 10 to 24. This initiative supports rigorous evaluations of prevention approaches, community engagement, and training for early career researchers. By establishing partnerships and focusing on communities with above-average youth violence rates, the YVPCs seek to enhance collaborative efforts and effectively disseminate research findings to inform future prevention strategies.

The Earth Rising Foundation Grants provide financial support ranging from $200 to $20,000 for grassroots climate initiatives. The foundation emphasizes empowering Indigenous communities, advocating for sustainable agricultural practices, and addressing social justice issues linked to climate change. By fostering youth involvement and supporting innovative projects, the foundation aims to create a vision for a sustainable future that respects both people and the planet. Applications must be submitted through a US-based nonprofit organization.

The Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on inspiring youth through physical activity, literacy, and community engagement. With a mission to empower children in New England, the Foundation awards grants of up to $5,000 twice a year. Priority is given to programs serving individuals under 17, particularly in areas with low reading scores and high poverty. This initiative fosters self-confidence and community support, ensuring a brighter future for the youth it serves.

The McMillen Foundation Grants Program supports research in cardiology, lipids, and organ transplant, along with educational initiatives and social services in Washington and Alaska. With a single grant cycle annually, nonprofits certified under 501(c)(3) can apply for funding, preferably those benefiting children and promoting equity. The foundation emphasizes programs that leverage the arts to foster social change, impacting youth and disadvantaged communities. Applications must be submitted by July 31 to be considered for the current cycle.

The Edward and Wanda Jordan Family Foundation Grant aims to support education, scientific research, and spiritual ministries through voluntary grants. Focused on enhancing the welfare and quality of life for children and youth, this foundation perpetuates the charitable intentions of the Jordan family. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that align with these values and objectives, ensuring impactful contributions to the community.

The Rotary Works Foundation Grant supports charitable projects primarily focused on children, youth, and families, emphasizing active Rotarian involvement. Grants range from $500 to $5,000, awarded prior to events. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(1) organizations. Preference is given to projects engaging Rotarians. The application deadline is the 2nd Wednesday of each month, and all grantees must report outcomes post-project.

The J.R. Simplot Company Foundation Grant supports U.S. non-profit organizations focused on art, education, youth, community, and global food and agriculture. Established in 1929, the foundation is committed to enhancing community welfare through creative cultural endeavors, educational initiatives, health services, and youth programs. Applications are reviewed quarterly, ensuring a timely response to organizations dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities.

The Ochylski Family Foundation supports registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations through grants aimed at enhancing their operational capacity. With an application deadline of October 1, organizations must submit a detailed request outlining their initiatives. The foundation's mission aligns with its commitment to foster community development and nonprofit effectiveness in Iowa, ensuring that resources are allocated to impactful projects that serve the public good.

Mildred's Dream Foundation Grant provides vital support to community-based non-profit organizations focused on Education, Domestic Violence, and Physical or Mental Health Challenges. With grants up to $25,000, the foundation aims to honor Mildred's commitment to improving lives and creating a better world. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) non-profits providing direct services in these areas. Notably, the foundation excludes funding for certain institutions, ensuring resources are directed to those genuinely in need.