Best Grants for Children in Maine

Youth-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Maine can seek funding for health and welfare, summer camp scholarships, homeless shelters, and food security programs. Focused on supporting vulnerable children, families, and youth, the Agnes M. Lindsay Trust offers US $1,000 - US $7,500 for capital needs and program support across its priority areas.

501(c)(3) organizations worldwide working on environmental access, education, or mental health projects can apply for Brutten Family Foundation grants; awards support completing specific, well-defined projects. Maine youth-serving programs that expand outdoor access, improve educational equity, or provide mental health resources for children and teens may be especially well positioned to benefit.

David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation provides Maine youth and children’s programs with US $5,000 - US $100,000 for services such as children’s welfare, safety, and related support. Qualified 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily serving Utah but also working nationally, may be eligible if their projects advance children’s services alongside the foundation’s broader charitable priorities.

The Dunn Family Foundation Grant aims to enhance educational initiatives through innovative testing and support materials. Focused on 501(c)(3) organizations, it prioritizes projects that develop educational tools for both children and adults. The foundation awards initial project funding, with grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. Notably, it emphasizes direct costs over Facilities and Administrative expenses, fostering a commitment to effective resource allocation in educational improvement.

With a mission to improve the lives of vulnerable residents, John T Gorman Foundation provides Maine youth and family organizations with funding for research-based, prevention-focused initiatives. Programs supporting children and caregivers through education, youth services, mental health, family services, or employment supports may be considered, primarily by invitation, especially those using whole-family or two-generation approaches.

The Deena Jo Heide-Diesslin Foundation, honoring its namesake, supports transformative projects for women and girls through its Uplift Gift program. Established after Deena's inspiring journey in Cambodia, this initiative provides grants up to $55,000 for smaller programs, ensuring they can successfully launch and thrive. The foundation's commitment to integrity and impactful giving continues to aid organizations like The Ladder Alliance and Doctors Without Borders, fostering education and humanitarian efforts both locally in Fort Worth, Texas, and globally.

Nonprofit organizations supporting youth and children’s education in Maine may be eligible for funding that advances trade education, childhood literacy, arts education, and educational access. Justamere Foundation supports programs that remove barriers to self-sufficiency, so Maine children’s and youth-serving groups working in these areas could access non-traditional scholarship support and related resources.

Youth-serving organizations in Maine can seek funding to remove barriers to self-sufficiency through education, coaching, and practical tools like training equipment. Grants from Justamere Foundation help programs in childhood literacy, arts education, veterans resources, and trade education that support children and families in underserved communities and open pathways to long-term stability.

Maine youth-serving nonprofits, public schools, and municipalities can seek project funding for children’s health, education, arts, environment, and community programs that benefit communities where Kennebunk Savings operates. Organizations in southern York County and nearby New Hampshire counties may be eligible for rolling grants and sponsorships from Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation’s Community Promise program.

Focused on Christian religious life, Lilly Endowment invites U.S. congregations, theological schools, and related Christian institutions to apply for religion grants that strengthen congregations and leadership. Maine organizations nurturing the faith of children, youth, and young adults, or fostering public understanding of religion, may be eligible under its national religion program.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting children’s outdoor play and well-being in Maine may be eligible for product donations and support that foster active play and joyful childhood experiences. Radio Flyer supports youth services and child welfare efforts through charitable giving to national organizations focused on improving the lives, health, and play opportunities of children and families.

The Elizabeth M. Pfriem Foundation, established in 2015 in Rye Brook, New York, is committed to enhancing the human condition through grants to 501(c)(3) public charities. Focusing primarily on the greater Bridgeport, Connecticut area, it supports initiatives in education, healthcare, food security, and housing. The foundation prioritizes organizations demonstrating fiscal responsibility and innovative programs with significant impact potential, ensuring sustainable support for vulnerable populations, especially children and families in need.

K–12 schools and nonprofit youth programs in Maine that serve at least 10 students can apply for Whole Kids Foundation’s Bee Grants, awarding US $500 - US $1,500 for student bee education. Funding supports starting or expanding live-bee hive programs, with options for monetary or equipment grants and added educator resources.

Maine youth-serving organizations providing children’s arts education can access funding through the Find Your Light Foundation for arts education programs in low-income communities. U.S.-based nonprofits and similar organizations may apply for US $5,000 - US $15,000 to support high-quality arts education initiatives that help children develop educational, social, and technical skills.

Maine educational organizations serving youth and preparing underserved students for college can access funding through the Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation to support college readiness, access, and completion programs. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) charities, municipalities, Tribal governments, and religious organizations in New England working toward post-secondary credential attainment for under-represented populations.

Nonprofit organizations serving socioeconomically disadvantaged children and youth in southern and mid-coast Maine can seek multi-year operating support for immigrant services, workforce development, and K-12 education programs from the Clowes Fund. Grants range up to US $150,000, with introductory and continuation tracks for first-time and returning grantees.

Nonprofits and community-based organizations serving children and families in Maine can seek funding for education, health, conservation, and community support initiatives from the Betterment Fund, with awards of US $10,000 - US $35,000. Grants prioritize systemic, community-driven projects, especially in Western Mountains and rural regions, including early childhood development and children’s health efforts.

Early-career NF researchers, including senior doctoral students and post-doctoral researchers in Maine and beyond, can apply for the Children’s Tumor Foundation’s Young Investigator Award, offering more than US $56,448 in two-year salary support. This grant backs pediatric neurofibromatosis research projects that may ultimately benefit children’s health and related youth services programs.

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving children, youth, and families in Maine communities where Penn National Gaming operates can apply for Penn National Gaming Foundation grants to support local programs. Funding may assist youth services through education, human services, health, cultural, or community development initiatives benefiting young people and their families in Penobscot County.

Youth- and child-serving 501(c)(3) organizations in Maine working on education, human services, or health programs may be eligible for McGraw Foundation support, with typical awards of US $2,000 - US $10,000. With a mission to strengthen conservation, education, and human services, McGraw Foundation provides single-year operating, project, or occasional capital funding, including programs benefiting children and families.

Youth-serving groups in Maine planning Wikimedia-related conferences or events can seek more than US $5,000 to support regional or thematic gatherings, including virtual formats. Focused on movement-building and free knowledge, Wikimedia Foundation prioritizes underrepresented communities, capacity-building, newcomer engagement, and safe participation of young people, with strong youth safety protocols required.

Maine organizations supporting the physical, mental, or social health of children from birth to 18 can access funding through this program, with awards of US $5,000 - US $25,000. The Sadie and Harry Davis Foundation considers general operating, program, capacity building, challenge, and matching grants, prioritizing smaller-budget organizations serving low-income and under-resourced youth and families.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Maine, especially around Augusta, can seek funding to support children and education, animal welfare, conservation, and Maine history projects. Grants from Elsie & William Viles Foundation help youth-focused groups with US $5,000 - US $25,000 awards for charitable, educational, cultural, and environmental initiatives.

Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status serving low-income Maine residents with basic needs like hunger, housing, and crisis support can seek funding for existing programs or general operations. With a mission to improve the lives of disadvantaged people, John T Gorman Foundation provides one-time, 12‑month grants that may benefit organizations supporting children and youth in Maine.

Youth-serving 501(c)(3) organizations in Maine focused on early education or children’s health research can seek funding to improve outcomes for children. Barney Family Foundation supports K–8 education initiatives and cancer or Alzheimer’s research, offering US $5,000 - US $50,000 for one-year projects with clear, practical plans and measurable benefits for children.

Nonprofits, public schools, public agencies, tribal governments, and fiscally sponsored groups in Greater Portland, Maine can apply for Maine Community Foundation’s Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund, with awards up to US $20,000 for early childhood and youth leadership programs. Funding can provide general support or projects serving children from birth through high school, benefiting youth across Maine.

Nonprofits, public agencies, schools, municipalities, and tribal governments in Greater Portland offering early childhood or youth programming can seek up to US $10,000 for projects or general operations. With a mission to strengthen community vibrancy, Maine Community Foundation supports environment, youth, and arts initiatives benefiting children and families in Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Falmouth, Gorham, Portland, Scarborough, South Portland, Yarmouth, and Westbrook.