Best Local Government Grants in Maine

Public agencies, tribal governments, schools, and other 170(c)-eligible entities in Maine can seek funding for environmental and racial justice advocacy, organizing, and civic engagement efforts. With a mission to strengthen grassroots, community-led movements, Elmina B. Sewall Foundation provides $10,000 - $100,000 for general operating, program, project, and some capital support, including fiscally sponsored groups.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Maine can seek multi-year general support to advance racial equity through economic opportunity, education, health, or community well-being initiatives; awards are up to US $15,000. Focused on underserved communities of color, the River Rock Shared Future Fund from Maine Community Foundation supports flexible program and operational needs, including civic engagement and community-building efforts.

Local governments, schools, and community groups in Maine that advance civic engagement and education can receive recognition through the Golden Apple Award, which honors strong commitment to local schools and children. Residents of Maine or Maine Education Association members with notable volunteer or organizing efforts may be nominated for this award.

With a mission to support educators, the Maine Education Association provides Maine MEA/NEA members with a $1,000 Award for Teaching Excellence recognizing outstanding classroom practice and advocacy. K‑12 and higher education staff who demonstrate leadership, community engagement, attention to diversity, and professional development may be nominated and honored through this statewide program.

The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Grant supports organizations dedicated to preserving American exceptionalism through a commitment to individual liberty, free markets, and civic responsibility. It prioritizes proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations that promote informed citizenship and strong communities. With ongoing acceptance of Letters of Inquiry, the Foundation seeks to empower initiatives that align with its principles of limited government and the rule of law, fostering a rich community culture.

Early-career social science faculty researching U.S. economic mobility, opportunity, or systemic inequality can apply for US $35,000 - US $50,000 in one-year project support from the Russell Sage Foundation. Focused on civic engagement and related issues, it invites scholars, including those at under-resourced Maine institutions, to propose innovative, data-driven studies that advance its mission.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on civic engagement, financial literacy, housing insecurity, technology education, or community enrichment in the U.S., including Maine, can apply for funding to support scalable, high-impact programs. Affirm Cares provides grants on a rolling basis to initiatives that strengthen vibrant communities and expand equitable economic and technology opportunities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities working on democracy, civic engagement, or gun violence prevention in Maine and other states can apply for the Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund’s Democracy & Civil Liberties support. Programs must operate nationally or in multiple states and focus on voting rights, money in politics, or gun violence policy and education.

Local governments and 501(c)(3) organizations in Maine working on civic engagement and voter participation may be eligible for Park Foundation’s Civic Participation Program. Focused on strengthening democracy, it supports year-round efforts to educate, motivate, and mobilize voters, protect voting rights and election integrity, and counter voter suppression across the U.S.

Maine youth ages 5–25 planning community service, advocacy, or civic engagement projects can access funding through Youth Service America for youth-designed, youth-led initiatives. Grants of US $250 - US $500 support supplies, local transportation, outreach, and volunteer recognition for projects during Youth Service Month that engage diverse youth volunteers and build social and emotional skills.

Young people aged 14–24 planning civic engagement and community projects in Maine and nationwide can receive up to US $4,500 in stipends and project support through the Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness Fellowship. With a mission to build civic skills, Institute for Citizens & Scholars provides youth teams with funding, coaching, and structured learning over a yearlong program.

Eligible local or tribal governments and other legally registered entities in rural communities, including Maine, can apply for Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ Trust for Civic Life Civic Experiment grants; awards Up to US $25,000 for specific programs. Funding supports non-partisan projects that spark civic participation and community-led problem solving in rural U.S. regions.

Focused on academic scholarships, Coral Gables Community Foundation invites graduating high school seniors interested in communications, journalism, leadership, or historic preservation to apply for the Jeannett Slesnick Community Spirit Scholarship. Eligible students from specific Miami-area schools can receive US $500 - US $2,500 per year, renewable up to four years with a 3.0 GPA.

Maine civic engagement and social justice groups can access funding through the A.J. Muste Memorial Institute’s Rapid Response Grants for immediate, emergency needs tied to grassroots nonviolent activism. U.S.-based organizing projects may receive up to US $5,000 to act quickly on unexpected needs and timely political opportunities with powerful organizing and direct actions.

Maine civic and community-focused nonprofits planning major capital projects can access funding through M J Murdock Charitable Trust for construction, renovation, property acquisition, and other facility upgrades, with awards typically more than US $50,000. Eligible 501(c)(3)s, select tribal and government entities, and universities must primarily serve the Pacific Northwest and have at least 40% of project funding secured.

Local government agencies and other eligible public entities in Maine seeking new, revenue-generating equipment or long-lived technology for civic engagement, education, health, or community services can apply for more than US $50,000 from M J Murdock Charitable Trust. Grants require at least 50% cost share and support capacity-building, including training and limited maintenance.

Local government-related 501(c)(3) nonprofits, tribal entities, and select government institutions in Maine can seek more than US $50,000 to expand programs and staff that build civic engagement, education, health, environment, and other community services. M J Murdock Charitable Trust prioritizes capacity-building projects with significant Pacific Northwest impact, diversified funding, and budgets over $100,000.

Local governments and 501(c)(3) partners in Maine working on civic engagement, education, arts and culture, health, or human services can seek large project, capital, or operating grants over US $10,000. Focused on social justice and underserved populations, the James B and Lois R Archer Charitable Foundation supports impactful community initiatives nationwide, including Maine.

Maine local government and 501(c)(3) organizations working on civic engagement, education, arts and culture, health, or human services can access funding through the James B and Lois R Archer Charitable Foundation for programs, capital projects, or general operations. Grants up to US $10,000 are available, with support offered nationwide, including Maine and West Texas–serving initiatives.

The ACS Congressional Fellowship Program offers trained scientists the chance to engage in the policy-making process, providing critical information to lawmakers on science-related issues. Each year, two fellows are placed in the offices of Senators, Representatives, or Committees, with the aim of educating them on how science policy is formed. Candidates with a strong background in chemical sciences or engineering are encouraged to apply, regardless of whether they hold a doctorate.

The Amanda Reed Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Amanda Reed, a Rockford resident and 2001 Boylan Central Catholic High School graduate, who tragically lost her life due to domestic violence. This scholarship supports individuals committed to stopping domestic abuse and promoting community safety. Applicants are encouraged to provide references from those familiar with their work in domestic violence prevention. Academic performance will be considered moderately in the selection process, fostering a compassionate and proactive community.

The Bezos Scholars Program, supported by the Bezos Family Foundation, is a transformative, no-cost leadership development initiative designed for high school juniors. Each year, selected scholars from the U.S. and Africa engage in a year-long program, developing leadership skills through civic engagement and community projects. Participants receive personalized college advising, funding for their projects, and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Aspen Ideas Festival, fostering a diverse community of changemakers committed to making a difference.

The Thriving Community Impact Fund offers grants up to $2,499 to support local programs that enhance community health and well-being. This initiative by Gundersen Health emphasizes collaboration, focusing on areas such as physical and mental health, poverty alleviation, and neighborhood improvements. Organizations like non-profits and government agencies can apply for funding during a rolling application period, with decisions made monthly. The fund aims to empower communities and address health inequities through impactful partnerships.

Alliance for Social Trust: Trust in Practice Awards

Trust is the foundation of vibrant, resilient communities and healthy civic life. Across the country, local and national organizations are demonstrating the profound ways trust shapes our collective well-being—strengthening relationships between neighbors, cultivating confidence in institutions, and enabling people to work together to solve shared challenges. These efforts are often rooted in the knowledge and leadership of those closest to the work. 

The Trust in Practice Awards support non-profit organizations that are collaborating on new initiatives to build trust across local or virtual communities. Grantees will be part of a national network dedicated to fostering trust through the Alliance for Social Trust’s programs and storytelling platforms. Award recipients will also participate in the annual Trust in Practice Summit to celebrate the work of trust builders.

Proteus Fund

Proteus Fund partners with foundations, individual donors, activists, and other allies to work strategically towards racial, gender, queer, and disability justice and an inclusive, fully-representative democracy. We curate an ecosystem of mutually reinforcing, aligned donor collaboratives and fiscally sponsored projects that deploy a creative array of strategies and tactics to further this vision.

RISE Together Fund: Small Grants

Call For Application

RISE Together Fund (RTF), an initiative of Proteus Fund, is announcing an open call for inquiries for our 2026 Small Grants Fund for U.S. public charity organizations or fiscally sponsored projects of such organizations, that support Black, African, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian (BAMEMSA) communities.

As part of RTF’s commitment to prioritizing the needs and sustainability of the fields we collectively support, RTF will provide organizations with general operating grants to allow for organizational flexibility when possible. 

About RTF's Small Grants Fund

BAMEMSA movements have a strong history of organizing and collaboration, and are well poised with the knowledge, learning and experience to build an inclusive, multiracial democratic future and respond to the current unconstitutional threats facing the country. Through this fund, RTF aims to resource community power building organizations that use a multiplicity of approaches to create change rooted in the strength and leadership of BAMEMSA movements.

RTF supports groups that build community power, strengthen movement bases, defend civil and human rights including freedom of protest, speech, religion, and association, end the criminalization and surveillance of our communities, and respond to the rise in xenophobia, Islamophobia, and hate. RTF values groups that are intersectional in their approach and have or are developing sustainable long-term strategies to support BAMEMSA communities and movements.

Priority Issue Areas

• Protecting and advancing the rights of immigrant and refugee BAMEMSA communities by responding to harmful policies and practices, and strengthening community-led advocacy at the local, state, or federal level.

• Mobilizing BAMEMSA communities for nonpartisan civic engagement and election protection by increasing nonpartisan voter participation, combating voter suppression, and building sustained civic infrastructure ahead of, during, and between elections.

• Advocating for U.S. policy changes that end violence in Gaza and the West Bank by elevating Palestinian voices, influencing public discourse, and engaging in advocacy that shifts U.S. political, diplomatic, or funding decisions.

• Challenging harmful national security frameworks and their impacts on BAMEMSA communities by documenting, exposing, and organizing against surveillance, Islamophobia, and policies rooted in the War on Terror, particularly in the context of 9/11’s 25-year legacy.

• Responding to emerging opportunities and threats affecting BAMESMA communities such as influencing policy developments, addressing civic issues in the U.S., or developing narratives to change public discourse. This includes work addressing weaponizing issues around bodily autonomy and LGBTQ+ identity to fracture movements and communities.

Priority Strategies

RTF values organizations that take an intersectional approach and are intentionally building long-term community power. We prioritize support for groups that strengthen movement ecosystems, deepen their base, and defend the rights of BAMEMSA communities through the following strategies:

• Convening, Collaboration, and Movement Coordination: Bringing together organizations, leaders, and coalitions to align shared goals, coordinate strategies to advance shared visions, and reduce fragmentation across the field. This includes facilitating strategic convenings, developing platforms for collaboration, building cross-issue or cross-regional partnerships, developing shared agendas or issue campaigns, and strengthening trust and alignment among movement actors.
• Community Power-Building, Base Building, Civic Engagement, and Organizing: Expanding and activating a grassroots base within BAMEMSA communities to drive collective action and policy change. This includes community leadership development, public education campaigns, community organizing, nonpartisan voter engagement and election protection, and ongoing nonpartisan civic participation efforts that build sustained community power.
• Legal and Policy Advocacy Infrastructure: Advancing legal strategies and policy advocacy that expand and protect the rights of BAMEMSA communities. This includes impact litigation, legal advocacy, know-your-rights efforts, policy development, and advocacy at a local, state, or federal level.
• Communications and Narrative Strategy: Shaping public discourse and advancing narratives that reflect the experiences, dignity, and demands of BAMEMSA communities. This includes developing messaging strategies, producing and amplifying media, countering harmful or divisive narratives (including those targeting immigrants, religious minorities, LGBTQ+ communities, and reproductive rights), and increasing the voice share of BAMEMSA community members.
• Bolstering Movement Infrastructure: Strengthening the internal capacity and long-term sustainability of organizations and the broader movement ecosystem. This includes organizations supporting leadership development and pipelines, data and technology infrastructure, security and safety, and other core functions that enable groups to operate effectively and respond to evolving challenges.

Limited funding may be available for requests above $25,000.

U.S. Civil Society Microgrants

We seek to support projects that engage Pulitzer Center journalism to amplify the voices of affected communities, foster public debate, and drive meaningful audience engagement with our focus areas.

Audience engagement has been at the core of the Pulitzer Center’s work since its founding in 2006. In addition to grants and fellowships that facilitate breakthrough journalism, we support initiatives that connect the reporting to the audiences that need it the most. Our goal is pursuing real-world impact: engaging and mobilizing communities, increasing understanding and connection, and influencing decisions locally and globally. 

This microgrant aims to support civil society organizations and groups in the United States to utilize Pulitzer Center-supported reporting as part of projects that contribute to a more informed and empowered community.

 For this grant cycle, we are seeking grant proposals for civic engagement projects to be completed by early December 2026 that focus on one of the following issues:

• Climate and the environment, with a focus on U.S fisheries and fishing communities or climate and labor
• Information and Artificial Intelligence
• Global health, with specific focus on mental well-being or connections to the Global South

The objective is to use Pulitzer Center-supported journalism as the inspiration for the projects supported by this civil society microgrant. By leveraging this reporting, we expect to build projects that amplify the voices of affected communities, foster public debate, and drive meaningful audience engagement that will lead to impactful conversations in communities in the U.S. and beyond.

Grants range from US$2,000 to US$4,000. Project proposals can support existing activities or support the launch of new activities. 

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Oriole Foundation / Michael Oakes Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Oriole Foundation. The Michael Oakes Memorial Scholarship award intends to honor late superintendent, Mike Oakes.

Mike Oakes's spirit of generosity, community service, and passion for education is commemorated by this Oriole Foundation award. With an emphasis on creating a positive community impact, this scholarship recognizes the value of individual and organizational service within the community.