Best Grants for Museums in Maine

The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, established in 1996, supports essential wildlife and conservation initiatives across Maine. Funded by a dedicated lottery ticket, it allocates resources to diverse categories such as habitat conservation, public land management, and species protection. The fund prioritizes projects that foster public-private partnerships and address significant natural resource concerns. Grants are awarded semi-annually, with over 28 million dollars distributed to more than 1200 projects to date, enhancing Maine's natural heritage.

The George A. Ramlose Foundation, established in 1956, focuses on supporting smaller qualified organizations with specific projects or equipment needs. Grants typically range from $2,000 to $6,000, prioritizing those making identifiable positive impacts. Preference is given to organizations with valid 501c3 status, particularly those in Georgia and New England. The foundation avoids funding large entities or general operational costs, ensuring that contributions lead to sustainable, meaningful change in the community.

The Music Drives Us Instrument Grant supports schools and nonprofit organizations in New England by providing instruments for music education. This initiative aims to foster musical opportunities in underserved communities, ensuring that children have access to quality music programs. Eligible applicants include public and private schools, charter schools, hospitals, and community centers, allowing for a broad impact on the musical landscape. Grants provide brand-new instruments, enhancing the educational experience for future musicians.

The Belvedere Animal Welfare Fund Grant, established in 2007, focuses on advancing animal welfare in Maine through one-year project proposals for organizations addressing population control for cats and dogs. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, municipalities, and public agencies. The fund emphasizes keeping low-income pet owners and their animals together and supports education on humane treatment. Note: No new general support applications will be accepted until 2025, but project proposals are welcomed.

The Music Drives Us Organizational Grant, offered by the Boch Family Foundation, aims to enhance music education across New England. This grant supports organizations that use music as an educational tool, particularly those facing funding cuts. With a maximum award of $10,000, it is designed for a variety of institutions including schools, hospitals, and community centers, ensuring that music opportunities are accessible to all age groups and backgrounds.

The Red Sox Foundation provides programmatic grants to support non-profits focused on health, education, and recreation in New England. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $10,000, with larger requests by invitation only. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and can only apply once per year. The foundation emphasizes its commitment to making a positive impact in the community, although it cannot support every request due to the volume of applications.

The Maine Healthy Soils Program offers a Soil Health Implementation Grant to support projects that mitigate barriers to soil health on farms. Applicants can receive up to $100,000 for expenses related to soil amendments, cover cropping, and equipment purchases. This initiative aims to enhance soil health, improve agricultural yields, and encourage sustainable practices. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in the Maine Healthy Soils Program to apply. This grant helps promote healthier farming practices across Maine.

The Red Sox Foundation offers event sponsorship opportunities to support community initiatives in New England and Lee County, FL. Sponsorships range from $1,000 to $10,000, with a focus on health, education, and recreation. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and align with the Foundation's mission to enhance the lives of children, families, and veterans. Applications for sponsorships over $10,000 are by invitation only, fostering impactful community partnerships.

The New England Food Vision Prize aims to enhance local food supply chains in New England's educational institutions by awarding up to $1.5 million. The program supports innovative projects that increase the amount of regionally produced food served to K-12 and college students. By fostering collaboration among schools, farmers, and community organizations, the Prize strengthens food systems while prioritizing access for students and communities with limited fresh food options.

The William P. Wharton Trust Grant supports projects that align with the vision of its patron, focusing on tangible outcomes. It prioritizes land conservation efforts that protect natural resources over recreational use. The Trust aims to leverage funds for impactful environmental initiatives and encourages collaboration among organizations. Eligible applicants include public charities and governmental units, while grants are limited to direct project costs. Notably, the Trust avoids funding for overhead, construction, and educational programs for youth below college level.

The Patricia D. Klingenstein Grants Program, established by the Sadie & Harry Davis Foundation, offers funding between $5,000 and $25,000 to support organizations addressing the health needs of Maine’s children, particularly those from low-income and under-resourced communities. Projects should enhance physical, mental, and social well-being, with a 12-month project period. The program emphasizes support for organizations with annual budgets under $5 million, fostering equity for diverse populations.

The EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement-Focused Collaborations Program (RII-FEC) aims to enhance research capabilities in eligible jurisdictions by fostering partnerships among government, higher education, and industry. This program supports interdisciplinary teams of researchers to tackle significant challenges in STEM fields, promoting diversity and broadening participation. By integrating Minority-Serving Institutions and early-career faculty from underrepresented backgrounds, RII-FEC seeks to build sustainable STEM capacity and drive impactful discoveries across regions.

The Land for Communities (L4C) Grant, established by the Maine Community Foundation, supports community land projects that enhance relationships to land for underserved populations in Maine. With funding options up to $50,000 for land acquisition and $25,000 for other land-based projects, the grant aims to empower communities by expanding access and promoting stewardship. This initiative prioritizes projects that engage local populations and focus on land return and community agriculture.

The Ernest Morgan Memorial Scholarship, managed by CommunityGiving, supports central Minnesota student athletes and leaders to pursue higher education outside their home states. This scholarship aims to expand students' horizons and experiences, with a total award of $5,000 available. Open to high school seniors from specific schools, applicants are encouraged to apply online and demonstrate their leadership or athletic skills. This initiative enhances educational opportunities and fosters personal growth among local youth.

The Libra Foundation Grant, established by Elizabeth Noyce in 1989, focuses on supporting charitable organizations in Maine. As of June 20, 2025, the foundation will pause new applications for one year while reassessing its funding priorities. It aims to provide small grants to diverse causes in areas such as arts, education, health, and more, thus empowering communities and enhancing the quality of life for all Maine citizens.

The Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF) offers discretionary grants to support small-scale projects that promote health access in Maine. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) entities and government bodies, with funding typically up to $5,000 for local projects and $10,000 for statewide initiatives. The program emphasizes innovative approaches that align with MeHAF's mission and requires tangible outcomes within one year. Note that only one grant is permitted per organization annually.

Machias Savings Bank offers support through donations, pledges, sponsorships, and capital requests aimed at making a significant impact in Maine. They prioritize funding for projects that enhance financial wellness, workforce development, affordable housing, and youth education. Eligible organizations must have 501(c)3 status, including schools and municipalities, while sponsorships are open to both for-profit and non-profit entities. Requests should be made at least 30 days prior to the event.

The Mattina R. Proctor Foundation supports vital projects in education, healthcare, the arts, and environmental stewardship, primarily in Maine and Massachusetts. Established in memory of philanthropist Mattina R. Proctor, the foundation aims to fund initiatives that demonstrate a specific need, particularly in music, trades education, public health, and land conservation. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, and preference is given to projects that directly impact underserved communities.

The ME Boating Facilities Fund Grant, administered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, aims to enhance recreational boating access throughout Maine. It supports towns and agencies in developing and rehabilitating public boat launching facilities. Eligible projects include both hand-carry and trailer boat launches on tidal and non-tidal waters, with a required match of at least 25%. The fund prioritizes facilities accessible to both motorized and non-motorized watercraft.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation focuses on supporting organizations that empower communities through basic needs, income creation, and stable housing. By investing in health and job opportunities, they aim to enhance economic mobility for low- and moderate-income families. Their partnerships target vulnerable populations, ensuring equitable access to resources that foster community vitality and resilience. This initiative emphasizes the importance of stable housing as a foundation for personal and communal growth.

The David, Helen and Marian Woodward Fund (Watertown) provides grants to 501(c)(3) organizations in New York and New England. Established in 1974 by Marian Woodward Ottley, the fund aims to fulfill her vision of improving the world for future generations. The fund prioritizes arts, education, health, and human services, with a historical preference for Connecticut organizations. It also considers the religious affiliations of applicants, reflecting Mrs. Ottley's charitable legacy.

Maine Office of Community Affairs

The Maine Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) was established by the Maine State Legislature in 2024 as a one-stop-shop to assist municipalities, Tribal governments and regional planning organizations in building a more resilient future.

In spring 2025, MOCA introduced a newly established State Resilience Office and staff to lead cross-agency efforts to enhance climate resilience across the state, especially in communities with significant climate vulnerabilities impacting residents, infrastructure, and the environment.

Shore and Harbor Planning Grants

The Maine Office of Community Affairs’ Maine Coastal Program (MCP) and Municipal Planning Assistance Program (MPAP) are seeking applications for coastal planning grants totaling approximately $550,000. The two grants covered by this announcement are the Shore and Harbor Planning Grant and the Coastal Community Grant. Funding for these planning grants comes from the Maine Coastal Program’s annual grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 

Program Goals

The Shore and Harbor Planning Grant program provides resources on a competitive basis for shoreline access planning, waterfront and harbor planning, identification and resolution of waterfront use conflicts, and planning, feasibility, and design efforts for resilient waterfront infrastructure. Shore and Harbor Planning Grant projects are often well prepared to compete for construction funding through other sources.  

The Maine Expansion Arts - BIPOC program, initiated by the Maine Community Foundation, aims to enhance access to arts for Black, Indigenous, and people of color in rural Maine. This initiative supports organizations that empower BIPOC communities through arts-based programs, ensuring representation and inclusivity. Grants are available for both general support and specific projects that promote BIPOC artists, addressing barriers to participation in the arts and fostering cultural enrichment across the state.

The Focused In-Stream Habitat (FISH) project aims to enhance in-stream habitats in Maine through a collaborative effort by the Department of Marine Resources and NRCS. This initiative seeks to improve habitat diversity and connectivity for various fish species, particularly Atlantic salmon and brook trout. With funding from the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, the project will implement restoration practices including streambank stabilization and habitat complexity restoration, ultimately benefiting local ecosystems and fisheries.

Efficiency Maine Trust 

The Efficiency Maine Trust (Efficiency Maine) is the independent, quasi-state agency established to plan and implement energy efficiency programs in Maine. Through its suite of nationally recognized programs, Efficiency Maine provides consumer information, marketing support, demonstration pilots, discounts, rebates, loans, and other initiatives to promote high-efficiency equipment and operations that help Maine’s homes, businesses, and institutions reduce their energy costs and lower their greenhouse gas emissions. The result is job growth, better grid reliability, improved energy independence, a stronger local economy, and progress toward meeting the State’s climate change goals. Efficiency Maine is governed by a Board of Trustees with oversight from the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Custom Program

The C&I Custom Program incentivizes tailored energy efficiency and distributed generation projects that require site-specific engineering analyses and/or projects with energy conservation measures that are not otherwise covered by the C&I Prescriptive Program incentives.

Examples of customers who have participated in the C&I Custom Program include hospitals, manufacturers, universities, commercial bakeries, food processors, office complexes, and data centers.

The C&I Custom Program includes: 1) Custom Efficiency Projects; 2) Custom Distributed Generation Projects; 3) Energy Storage System Projects; 4) Compressed Air Leak Surveys; 5) Technical Assistance; 6) School Decarbonization Technical Assistance; 7) Scoping Audits 

Custom Efficiency Projects

Program Description

The Trust is seeking applications for energy efficiency projects with the principal goal of reducing energy use by Maine businesses and institutions through the installation of more efficient equipment. 

Maine businesses, nonprofits, institutions and governments are eligible for funding for electrical and thermal energy efficiency projects through Efficiency Maine’s Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Custom Program.

Eligible projects may include process improvements designed to improve efficiency, heat recovery and custom heat pump systems, HVAC equipment and controls, high efficiency compressed air systems, installation of VFDs on motors, chillers and pump upgrades.

Efficiency Maine Trust 

The Efficiency Maine Trust (Efficiency Maine) is the independent, quasi-state agency established to plan and implement energy efficiency programs in Maine. Through its suite of nationally recognized programs, Efficiency Maine provides consumer information, marketing support, demonstration pilots, discounts, rebates, loans, and other initiatives to promote high-efficiency equipment and operations that help Maine’s homes, businesses, and institutions reduce their energy costs and lower their greenhouse gas emissions. The result is job growth, better grid reliability, improved energy independence, a stronger local economy, and progress toward meeting the State’s climate change goals. Efficiency Maine is governed by a Board of Trustees with oversight from the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Custom Program

The C&I Custom Program incentivizes tailored energy efficiency and distributed generation projects that require site-specific engineering analyses and/or projects with energy conservation measures that are not otherwise covered by the C&I Prescriptive Program incentives.

Examples of customers who have participated in the C&I Custom Program include hospitals, manufacturers, universities, commercial bakeries, food processors, office complexes, and data centers.

The C&I Custom Program includes: 1) Custom Efficiency Projects; 2) Custom Distributed Generation Projects; 3) Energy Storage System Projects; 4) Compressed Air Leak Surveys; 5) Technical Assistance; 6) School Decarbonization Technical Assistance; 7) Scoping Audits 

Custom Distributed Generation Projects

Program Description

The Trust is seeking applications for DG projects with the principal goal of reducing grid-supplied kilowatt hour (kWh) consumption from businesses that use electricity delivered through Maine’s electrical grid.

Maine businesses, nonprofits, institutions and governments are eligible for funding for distributed generation projects through Efficiency Maine’s Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Custom Program. Distributed generation projects are behind-the-meter generation projects that reduce the consumption of grid-supplied electricity and meet Efficiency Maine’s cost-benefit analysis.

Combined heat & power (CHP) projects are the most common type of distributed generation project completed through the C&I Custom Program.

The New England Regional Consortium Fellowships, supported by Harvard University, offer approximately 24 research grants annually across diverse fields such as history, literature, and sociology. These fellowships encourage collaborative projects utilizing resources from multiple cultural agencies. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or foreign nationals with the proper documentation, and itineraries require a minimum of eight weeks, involving at least three member institutions with two weeks spent at each.