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Search Through Grants for Rural Development in Maine

The Community Facilities Grant Program in Maine provides essential funding for developing community facilities in rural areas. Eligible entities, including public bodies and non-profit corporations, can access grants and low-interest loans to improve vital services like healthcare, education, and public safety. The program prioritizes assistance to smaller communities with lower median incomes, ensuring that all residents have access to necessary facilities and services. This initiative fosters community growth and stability throughout rural Maine.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) entity, aims to enhance healthcare access and education for all. With grant opportunities focusing on food programs, healthcare services for underserved populations, and STEM initiatives, it seeks to support community health and well-being. Organizations eligible for funding must be U.S.-based and hold tax-exempt status. Requests are reviewed biannually, in March and September, to foster impactful community projects.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Grant supports charitable, scientific, medical, and educational organizations that are 501(c)(3) certified. This private funder emphasizes impactful service to diverse populations without discrimination. Grants must be utilized within the United States and cannot be awarded to individuals, political candidates, or lobbying efforts. The Trust is dedicated to enhancing the general welfare through soundly-managed initiatives that contribute significantly to community needs.

Internet Society Foundation

At the Internet Society Foundation, we focus on funding initiatives that strengthen the Internet in function and reach so that it can effectively serve all people. Our work advances the vision of the Internet Society (ISOC): The Internet is For Everyone.

To this end, we support efforts to ensure that the Internet is open, globally-connected, secure, and trustworthy. We champion the use of the network as a critical technical infrastructure that can bring communities better education, healthcare and economic opportunity among other important areas of focus. We believe that by working together, we can use the Internet to shape a better future for us all and positively impact humanity worldwide.

Community-Centered Connectivity Grant Program

Program Overview

Over 2 billion people remain offline – about a quarter of the world’s population – and most live in remote and rural, low-income and isolated communities worldwide. Usually, they are not able to connect to the Internet for three main reasons:

• Availability: Unavailable or unreliable connectivity
• Affordability: Local population can't afford to pay for connectivity
• Adoption: People lack awareness of the internet's benefits

The Internet Society Foundation’s Community-Centered Connectivity (CCC) Grant Program, a core part of the Internet Society’s work to help communities bridge the digital divide, aims to address these challenges by supporting organizations to develop and expand Internet access and increase adoption in digitally excluded communities.

Community-centered connectivity is when connectivity solutions are built for, with, or by local communities themselves. These solutions are not imposed from outside but instead designed with direct involvement from the people who will use and maintain them. They often emerge in places where other models have failed or are not viable.

Through its three funding tracks – Catalyst, Scaling, and Systems – the CCC Grant Program supports organizations of various backgrounds, sizes, and expertise who can offer the best context-specific, community-centered connectivity solutions.

Program Objectives

• Support connectivity solutions that solve the major barriers to meaningful connectivity for communities: availability, affordability, and adoption. Solutions should increase the availability of affordable, reliable Internet connectivity among digitally excluded communities.
• Increase Internet adoption by strengthening digital literacy and local capacity to manage and maintain connectivity solutions.
• Support organizations that build and sustain collaborative partnerships with communities and other stakeholders to implement connectivity solutions and expand their capacity.
• Increase organizational capacity of grantee partners to scale their work.

Funding

The CCC Grant Program welcomes eligible organizations to apply to one of the three funding tracks, based on their organization’s capacity, experience, the scale, and duration of the project they propose. While applications from any eligible organizations are welcome, a strong preference will be given to those working with refugees/displaced communities, Indigenous communities, and women and girls.

Catalyst Track

Up to USD $50,000 to build at least one new connectivity solution, or an expand an existing solution, in a community. This project can be up to 12 months.

Internet Society Foundation

At the Internet Society Foundation, we focus on funding initiatives that strengthen the Internet in function and reach so that it can effectively serve all people. Our work advances the vision of the Internet Society (ISOC): The Internet is For Everyone.

To this end, we support efforts to ensure that the Internet is open, globally-connected, secure, and trustworthy. We champion the use of the network as a critical technical infrastructure that can bring communities better education, healthcare and economic opportunity among other important areas of focus. We believe that by working together, we can use the Internet to shape a better future for us all and positively impact humanity worldwide.

Community-Centered Connectivity Grant Program

Program Overview

Over 2 billion people remain offline – about a quarter of the world’s population – and most live in remote and rural, low-income and isolated communities worldwide. Usually, they are not able to connect to the Internet for three main reasons:

• Availability: Unavailable or unreliable connectivity
• Affordability: Local population can't afford to pay for connectivity
• Adoption: People lack awareness of the internet's benefits

The Internet Society Foundation’s Community-Centered Connectivity (CCC) Grant Program, a core part of the Internet Society’s work to help communities bridge the digital divide, aims to address these challenges by supporting organizations to develop and expand Internet access and increase adoption in digitally excluded communities.

Community-centered connectivity is when connectivity solutions are built for, with, or by local communities themselves. These solutions are not imposed from outside but instead designed with direct involvement from the people who will use and maintain them. They often emerge in places where other models have failed or are not viable.

Through its three funding tracks – Catalyst, Scaling, and Systems – the CCC Grant Program supports organizations of various backgrounds, sizes, and expertise who can offer the best context-specific, community-centered connectivity solutions.

Program Objectives

• Support connectivity solutions that solve the major barriers to meaningful connectivity for communities: availability, affordability, and adoption. Solutions should increase the availability of affordable, reliable Internet connectivity among digitally excluded communities.
• Increase Internet adoption by strengthening digital literacy and local capacity to manage and maintain connectivity solutions.
• Support organizations that build and sustain collaborative partnerships with communities and other stakeholders to implement connectivity solutions and expand their capacity.
• Increase organizational capacity of grantee partners to scale their work.

Funding

The CCC Grant Program welcomes eligible organizations to apply to one of the three funding tracks, based on their organization’s capacity, experience, the scale, and duration of the project they propose. While applications from any eligible organizations are welcome, a strong preference will be given to those working with refugees/displaced communities, Indigenous communities, and women and girls.

Scaling Track

Up to USD $200,000 to support deployment of proven, successful solutions to improve or expand connectivity to multiple communities. This project can be up to 18 months.

The Dairy Processor Innovation Grant, offered by the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, is designed to support dairy processors in enhancing their long-term business viability. With grants ranging from $75,000 to $250,000, this program encourages investments in sourcing, product development, and sustainable practices. Available to applicants across Northeast states, it aims to help processors appeal to consumers who prioritize local, environmentally friendly products. The total funding available is $1,000,000, with a two-step application process.

What does this program do?

It provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

• To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

The Betterment Fund Grant provides financial support ranging from $10,000 to $35,000 annually, aimed at enhancing education, health, conservation, and community support in Maine. The fund prioritizes systemic community initiatives that address essential human needs while favoring projects with a proven track record in grant management. Special attention is given to projects in the Western Mountains region, although broader applications that meet their criteria may also be considered.

The Raymond J. and Mary C. Reisert Foundation Grant aims to enhance community well-being by supporting local 501(c)(3) organizations in education, healthcare, and housing initiatives. Grants typically range from $500 to $15,000, with an emphasis on projects in Eastern North Carolina, Long Island, NY, and Central Maine. The foundation has awarded over 300 grants since its inception, reflecting its commitment to impactful community partnerships and ongoing evaluation of funded projects.

The NBRC Catalyst Program aims to stimulate economic growth in northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York by funding innovative projects that address regional economic needs. It supports initiatives like modernizing public services, enhancing transportation infrastructure, and developing workforce programs. By fostering partnerships and leveraging private investments, the program seeks to alleviate economic distress and improve rural vitality, ultimately leading to job creation and sustainable community development.

The Movement Focus Area Grant by the Quimby Family Foundation supports Maine-based nonprofits dedicated to advancing Human Wholeness through movement and nourishment. Grants range from $2,500 to $25,000, with a focus on fostering connections between people and nature. Eligible organizations must hold a 501(c)(3) status and demonstrate community involvement. This grant aims to create equitable access to outdoor experiences and promote health and well-being through active engagement with nature.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.

The Arts Education and Public Engagement Grants by The Onion Foundation support organizations in Maine with budgets up to $50,000. These grants focus on enhancing arts education and public engagement, prioritizing programs that serve rural communities and address systemic inequities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities and governmental units. Funding is available for general operating support and project grants, aimed at fostering creativity and community connection through arts initiatives.

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 Maine Expansion Arts - Rural grant supports arts organizations and programs in rural Maine, focusing on accessibility to the arts for underserved communities. Established by the Maine Community Foundation, this grant prioritizes projects with annual budgets below $250,000. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and public agencies. The initiative aims to strengthen local artistic traditions and foster community engagement, ensuring the arts are accessible to all, particularly in areas with limited resources.

The Maine Rural State AmeriCorps Grant, managed by Volunteer Maine, aims to enhance community service and volunteerism across Maine. Established in 1994, this initiative supports local organizations in implementing national service programs by providing training, funding opportunities, and fostering volunteer management practices. Through its strategic plan, Volunteer Maine addresses critical community needs while promoting civic engagement. The federal AmeriCorps agency, rebranded in 2020, collaborates with state partners to strengthen communities and improve lives through effective volunteer solutions.

The Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust, established in 1988, focuses on enhancing community connections through arts, culture, and environmental initiatives in Maine. The Trust supports projects that foster creative expression, promote historic preservation, and encourage environmental stewardship. Grant applicants can seek up to $20,000 for operating support or specific projects that align with these priorities. The Foundation emphasizes equitable access and community representation in its funding decisions.

The Maine Humanities Council offers Major Grants to support nonprofit organizations in Maine that engage the community through rich humanities programs. With funding between $1,001 and $7,500, these grants aim to foster deeper understanding and connections among diverse audiences. Projects may include exhibits, films, and discussions, emphasizing broad public outreach and community involvement. Emphasis is placed on proposals that demonstrate strong humanities content and clear project goals.

The Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF) offers the Systems Improvement and Innovation Responsive Grants Program to enhance health equity across Maine. This program, launched in 2020, complements previous grant initiatives by focusing on traditional systems-based organizations. It aims to improve access to healthcare in rural areas, support aging populations, address behavioral health issues, and promote maternal and child health. Community involvement is a key element, ensuring that those affected by health disparities have a voice in program development.

The Environment Grant Program by The Onion Foundation aims to enhance equitable outdoor access for all Maine residents, particularly in rural areas. This initiative focuses on fostering knowledge and skills to protect the environment rather than funding land acquisitions. Key priorities include supporting land trusts in creating inclusive programs, removing barriers for underserved groups, and building statewide networks to improve outdoor access. The program emphasizes community engagement and environmental stewardship.

The Rural Partnerships Program Grant, offered by the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, aims to foster resilient rural communities in Maine through collaborative infrastructure and partnerships. With a focus on the Katahdin Region and Washington County, the foundation supports diverse initiatives including affordable housing, economic development, and climate change adaptation. Grant amounts range from $10,000 to $200,000 annually, depending on the project scope, promoting sustainable solutions to local challenges.

The Citizens' Institute on Rural Design (CIRD), a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and the Housing Assistance Council, invites rural communities to apply for design support. CIRD aims to enhance rural life and economic viability through planning and creative placemaking, empowering local citizens to address unique community challenges. Opportunities include Local Design Workshops and a Design Learning Cohort, providing resources, training, and support to foster community-driven solutions.

The Onion Foundation's Environment Program aims to enhance nature learning for Maine's youth, especially in underserved rural areas. By providing high-quality, science-based educational opportunities, the program seeks to cultivate an appreciation for natural systems and their importance to a vibrant life. Key priorities include developing standards-aligned nature programs and facilitating transformative outdoor experiences. This initiative addresses educational disparities, ensuring all children can benefit from rich environmental education and engagement with their local ecosystems.