Best Grants for Children in Maine

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The FCIDD was founded for the purpose of providing support to organizations that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mission Statement: The Foundation supports organizations which enhance the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities by promoting research, projects, education and advocacy. 

Nonprofit Project Grants

The Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FCIDD) funds 501(c)(3) organizations working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages, primarily in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. 

Funding Priorities

• Grants will be awarded for the purpose of primarily benefiting, including, or increasing accessibility for individuals with intellectual or development disabilities.
• Grants may be awarded for scholarships or training personnel in the care and education of individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. 
• Grants shall mainly be distributed to a Charity whose primary purpose or whose project is to support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. A Charity which has a project to benefit individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities based on financial need shall be awarded the grant money based upon its own objective criteria and without any special preference to members of Civitan or members of their family.

Grant Categories

A grant application typically fits into one of the following categories: Accessibility & Engagement; Educational Spaces; Program Area Improvements; Outreach and Education 

Accessibility & Engagement

For museums, parks, other public spaces without a specific I/DD focus wanting to make property or equipment improvements and additions to better include visitors with I/DD.

Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The FCIDD was founded for the purpose of providing support to organizations that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mission Statement: The Foundation supports organizations which enhance the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities by promoting research, projects, education and advocacy. 

Nonprofit Project Grants

The Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FCIDD) funds 501(c)(3) organizations working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages, primarily in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. 

Funding Priorities

• Grants will be awarded for the purpose of primarily benefiting, including, or increasing accessibility for individuals with intellectual or development disabilities.
• Grants may be awarded for scholarships or training personnel in the care and education of individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. 
• Grants shall mainly be distributed to a Charity whose primary purpose or whose project is to support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. A Charity which has a project to benefit individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities based on financial need shall be awarded the grant money based upon its own objective criteria and without any special preference to members of Civitan or members of their family.

Grant Categories

A grant application typically fits into one of the following categories: Accessibility & Engagement; Educational Spaces; Program Area Improvements; Outreach and Education 

Educational Spaces

For I/DD serving school programs with a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) attached needing property improvements or equipment/resource purchases to better serve their students with I/DD.

The FCIDD Nonprofit Project Grants are designed to support 501(c)(3) organizations working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across various states. Grants are awarded for projects that enhance accessibility, provide educational opportunities, and promote community engagement. The foundation encourages collaboration with local Civitan clubs, particularly in October and March funding rounds, while also offering open applications in July. The initiative aims to empower nonprofits to improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on education, healthcare, or housing projects in central Maine can apply for grants of US $500 - US $15,000. With a mission to improve the lives of neighbors, Raymond J And Mary C Reisert Foundation provides funding that may benefit programs serving children and youth in eligible Maine communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and public entities in Maine can apply for Narragansett Number One Foundation’s Narragansett Foundation Grant to support religious, charitable, educational, or youth-serving work. Funding can cover start-up costs, new or special projects, ongoing programs, or general operating support, with priority to Buxton and surrounding southern Maine communities, including child- and family-focused services.

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.

The Alvah H. and Wyline P. Chapman Foundation offers grants to support charitable, educational, and community-focused initiatives, primarily in Florida and Georgia. Eligible applicants must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations. The foundation prioritizes projects that address children's welfare, education, multicultural understanding, substance abuse prevention, and homelessness. Grants typically do not exceed $15,000, and proposals must be endorsed by a Foundation Director. Interested parties should submit a Letter of Inquiry for consideration.

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.

Fall 2026 Early Childhood Education Funding Cycle

Overall Early Childhood Education Program Blueprint

The Stranahan Foundation’s Early Childhood Education grant program supports efforts to improve access to high-quality early care and education for young children (birth to five), especially those from low-income families. We do this by investing in strategies that strengthen, support, and retain a high-quality, thriving early educator workforce.

The Foundation has a history of supporting professional development (PD) and learning systems through its Provider strategy (). We believe strong professional development systems are essential for building a skilled early childhood workforce and creating positive learning environments for young children.

The Fall 2026 funding cycle is available for organizations that align with this Provider strategy.

Funding Opportunity

This funding opportunity will provide up to $750,000 to support early childhood education providers in strengthening existing professional development (PD) systems. Funding is intended to improve a specific area of an established PD system—not to build a brand-new system from scratch or put the foundational elements in place.

What kind of improvements can funding support?

Organizations should focus their projects on strengthening their professional development systems. The Stranahan Foundation defines a strong professional development system as one that includes:

• Connect learning opportunities that build on one another over time.
• Use adult learning best practices.
• Align staff learning to educator competencies, credentials, career growth, or compensation.
• Provide learning experiences that are individualized, scaffolded, and responsive to educators’ needs, experience, and goals.
• Have dedicated leadership and organizational capacity to support ongoing implementation.

• Gather regular feedback from staff and families.
• Use standardized assessment and evaluation tools to understand what is working and where improvements are needed.
• Make ongoing improvements based on what is learned.
• Support reflective practice, peer learning, and collaborative inquiry among educators.

• Offer both individual and group learning opportunities, such as training, professional learning communities, coaching, and mentoring.
• Provide learning opportunities on an ongoing basis rather than in a one-and-done situation.
• Connect internal and external learning opportunities to make the best use of available resources.
• Support classroom implementation through observation, modeling, feedback, and continuous improvement cycles.

• Provide learning experiences that are practical, relevant, and easy to apply in daily work.
• Include fundamental topics such as family engagement, effective instruction, developmentally appropriate practice, and classroom management.
• Align with established standards, research, and effective practices in the early childhood field.
• Equip educators to support all learners, including multilingual learners, children with disabilities, and children impacted by trauma or adverse experiences.

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 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.

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.