Best Public Infrastructure Grants in Maine

Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund

MaineDOT administers the Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund (MIAF). The purpose of this funding is for municipal, tribal, and infrastructure districts to adapt their critical infrastructure to reduce vulnerability to climate change. 

Funding 

MIAF was a recommendation within Maine Won't Wait, the state's four-year climate action plan. In December 2021, Governor Mills announced the creation of MIAF. Since the creation of the fund, MaineDOT has held three rounds of funding, with a fourth opportunity coming in March 2026, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Resilience Regional Challenge. There are no designated funding sources for MIAF, therefore eligible projects, maximum grant awards, etc., can change depending on the funding source. However, the intent of the program, climate resiliency, has stayed the same.  

The grant funding cap depends on the funding source/round but has ranged from $50,000 - $75,000 for scoping and design projects and between $125,000 - $4,000,000 for construction projects. MIAF typically requires a 5% local match share (cash or in-kind) that is raised or appropriated by the entity applying. This program is reimbursement only. 

Maine Historic Preservation Commission

In 1971 the Legislature established the Maine Historic Preservation Commission to implement State policy to "preserve the architectural, historic and environmental heritage of the people of the State, and to develop and promote the cultural, educational and economic benefits of these resources." The Commission is an independent agency within the Executive branch of state government that functions as the State Historic Preservation Office.

Its Director serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) upon appointment by the Governor. The office administers the programs of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 in Maine, which includes the identification, evaluation, and protection of the state’s significant cultural resources.

Historic Community Buildings Grant Program

In the November 2024 general election, Maine voters approved a $10,000,000 bond issue to restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations. The bond requires a 25% matching share from either private or nonprofit sources, and the program is administered by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission (Commission). 

Eligible buildings are those Historic Community Buildings that have been listed in the Register or that have been nominated for listing in the Register by the Commission. They must be open to the general public and support the social, educational, or cultural life of Maine people. They may include libraries, museums, educational and governmental buildings, social meeting halls, churches, and entertainment venues. 

Northern Border Regional Commission

The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) is a partnership between the federal government and the states of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. The NBRC targets resources to promote economic growth strategies and projects in designated counties within its member states. The Commission was enacted by Congress through the 2008 Farm Bill which amended 40 US Code to include the creation of the NBRC as well as other similar Commissions nationwide.

The mission of the Northern Border Regional Commission is to catalyze community vitality and economic prosperity in the northern border region with flexible funding and strategic support. We envision a future where heritage industries are celebrated, preserved, and supported, vibrant local communities form a rich tapestry of culture, ideas, and experiences, and the seamless integration of emerging technologies fosters a new era of prosperity and economic resiliency.

Timber for Transit Program - Implementation Award

The Timber for Transit Program advances the use of domestic forest products in transportation infrastructure projects across Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont to showcase the capabilities of wood in these applications. Highly competitive projects will demonstrate and widely promote the utility of high value forest products (e.g. glued laminated timber, cross laminated timber, composite materials, etc.) in transportation infrastructure and commit to enhancing climate resilience in rural communities. Transportation Infrastructure shall mean construction, alteration, or repair of physical transport facilities, systems and structures, including fixed installations and rights of way necessary for transporting from one point to another, that: are open to the general public for use, facilitate reliable movement of people and goods, and influence local and regional economies.  

Construction or non-construction projects—such as assets and facilities that align with Timber for Transit program priorities will be classified as an implementation award. Implementation projects are eligible for up to $5,000,000.

Public infrastructure and climate-focused service provider organizations in Maine can receive up to US $15,000 per community to help localities with climate action, energy, and resilience planning. Grants from the Maine Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future support enrolling communities in the Community Resilience Partnership and conducting vulnerability assessments to prioritize projects.

Municipal and tribal governments and other eligible Maine communities can receive funding for local climate, energy, and public infrastructure projects through Community Action Grants. The Maine Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future offers up to US $175,000 for individual or joint community projects once communities enroll in the Community Resilience Partnership.

Units of general local government in Maine seeking gap funding for public infrastructure projects can apply for up to US $4,000,000 from the CDBG Public Infrastructure Grant Program. With a mission to strengthen communities, the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development supports construction, acquisition, and related activities that advance long-range community development strategies.

Tidewater municipalities in Maine can apply for Maine Department of Transportation’s Small Harbor Improvement Program, with awards up to US $250,000 for public marine infrastructure projects. Funding supports public wharves, piers, landings, boat ramps, and related facilities that improve public water access, economic activity, and commercial or recreational fishing, with a 50% local match required.

Maine public infrastructure and disaster preparedness projects can access funding for hazard mitigation activities, including energy efficiency and resilience upgrades. MEMA (Maine Emergency Management Agency) provides Maine public infrastructure organizations with US $1,000,000 - US $757,000,000 through FEMA’s BRIC program to reduce natural hazard risks and lower future disaster costs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Maine with at least three years of operation and a $100,000+ budget can seek funding for workforce skills, youth development, and community accessibility projects. RBC Foundation USA provides support for programs that build in-demand job skills, increase inclusive prosperity, and enhance sustainable, accessible community spaces.

Focused on predevelopment for rural water and waste systems, USDA: Rural Development invites very small, financially distressed communities to seek funding for feasibility studies, preliminary design, and technical assistance. Eligible Maine applicants include most state and local governments, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes serving rural areas of 2,500 or fewer residents with low median incomes.

Public agencies, research institutions, and policy organizations in Maine and across the U.S. can seek funding for transportation infrastructure research, data, and policy reform projects. With a mission to improve systems through evidence-based solutions, Arnold Ventures provides support for work on surface transportation, project delivery costs, permitting, governance, and related public infrastructure policy issues.

State and local transportation agencies and similar public entities seeking to deploy advanced transportation technologies for public infrastructure in Maine may be eligible for this program, which offers up to US $12,000,000 per award. DOT Federal Highway Administration supports projects that improve safety, mobility, congestion management, and overall transportation system performance.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA: Capital Improvement Grants

Any request to support a project that seeks to improve a facility is considered a capital improvement. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Range improvements
• Berm improvements
• Clubhouse/Classroom facility improvements
• Shelter structures/covered firing lines/pavilions
• Road improvements
• Commercial-grade trap machines (see section regarding trap machines, below)
• Any other permanent improvement to an organization’s property or facility

The Grant Program considers requests for certain trap machines to be a capital improvement to the facility. Specifically, requests for commercial grade trap machines that have a capacity of 300 clays and up.

The Impact Aid Discretionary Construction Grant Program (84.041C) offers $19M in funding to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to address urgent school facility needs. This initiative supports repairs, renovations, or replacements required to maintain safe educational environments. Grants cover projects that improve accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensure that facilities meet health standards. The program aims to enhance learning conditions by responding effectively to emergency situations.

About Boeing

A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.

The Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company

One of the largest employee-managed funds of its kind in the world, the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company has empowered employees to make a greater impact by pooling their tax-deductible donations for more than 60 years. Employee-led grantmaking committees at 20 Boeing sites provide combined employee donations to nonprofits in their communities through ECF grants.

Charitable or educational organizations can apply for grants from the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company.

Puget Sound Chapter

The Employees Community Fund (ECF) of Boeing Puget Sound is a pooled fund consisting of recurring payroll contributions from generous Boeing employees. It funds local nonprofits that help thousands of families and individuals in the Puget Sound region where Boeing employees live and work.

ECF focus areas

ECF makes grants to 501(c)(3) Health & Human Service nonprofits such as food banks, job-training programs, shelters, transitional housing, mental health services, and low-income medical clinics. ECF seeks the direct client benefit of each grant to ensure that our employees’ contributions directly help those in need.

ECF funding criteria

ECF has two distinct grant categories – Supporting Grants and Capital Campaign Grants.

ECF of Boeing Company: Puget Sound Chapter Supporting Grants

Consideration is given to nonprofits/agencies that are performing well and are seeking to upgrade, replace or modify elements of their infrastructure.

• Supporting grants cannot exceed $50,000. The requested amount cannot be more than 10% of an agency’s gross annual revenue.
• Supporting grants will be considered only for agencies benefiting residents in the Puget Sound Region.
• Supporting grants help agencies continue to effectively provide services through enhanced direct client benefit by aiding them in procuring and/or paying for items such as:
  • Equipment (ex. office, kitchen, industrial, furniture, etc.)
  • Vehicles used to support clients and/or transport food and/or goods (cost of vehicle and accommodations, tax, and licensing only; operating expenses, such as insurance, fuel, etc. is not allowed)
  • Phone systems
  • Cell phones for direct client use
  • Remodels and/or renovations (must hold at least a 10-year lease or own the building)
  • Purchase or construction of new buildings
  • Computers or tablets for direct client benefit and/or use
  • Software for direct client benefit and/or use (ex. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device)
  • Information Technology expenses, without which procured tools would not work
  • External improvements for client safety (i.e. security system, exterior lighting, improved ADA accessibility, new or refinished pavement or concrete)
• Supporting grants which are accepted must be spent as approved within nine (9) months.

The Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Energy Program, initiated by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), aims to enhance rural electric systems through substantial funding of approximately $175 million. This initiative focuses on increasing emission-free nuclear power and improving transmission infrastructure efficiency, promoting long-term reliability and affordability. Eligible entities include electric cooperatives serving rural areas and their subsidiaries. The program aligns with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, thus fostering a sustainable energy future.

The BJA FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR)—Formula Grants Program aims to support states and local governments in enhancing their DNA analysis capabilities. By providing funding for existing crime laboratories, this initiative seeks to increase the processing capacity for DNA samples, thereby reducing the backlog in forensic DNA analysis and ensuring timely entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Applications are due by November 5, 2026.

The Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program by the USDA's Rural Utilities Service provides funding for essential technical assistance and training aimed at resolving water and waste management issues. This program supports applicants in preparing loan and grant applications, enhancing the operational efficiency of water systems, and ensuring compliance with best practices in facility management. However, grant funds cannot be used for duplicating existing services or for capital expenditures.

U.S.-based research institutions and nonprofits studying social programs and policies through quasi-experimental designs may be eligible for this funding, including work on public infrastructure. Grants from Arnold Ventures help organizations conduct rigorous causal evaluations in areas like infrastructure, higher and career education, workforce training, reproductive health, and public finance that can inform policy decisions in Maine and beyond.

Maine public infrastructure and community-focused 501(c)(3) charities or government entities can seek support for projects that improve health, sustainability, and opportunity. SC Johnson Giving supports programs that strengthen communities, including public infrastructure, especially in areas where the company operates; some regional or national initiatives may also be considered.

Federally recognized Indian Tribes can seek funding to plan, design, construct, rehabilitate, or inspect transportation bridges in poor condition, including in Maine. Focused on public infrastructure, the Federal Highway Administration invites applications year-round for eligible Tribal Transportation Program bridges, including BIA/Tribally owned and non-BIA/Tribally owned structures needing safety or geometric improvements.

Maine public agencies and tribal or local governments planning major surface transportation infrastructure projects may be eligible for the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. This US Department of Transportation grant offers up to US $25,000,000 for multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional public infrastructure and transit projects with significant local or regional impact across the U.S. territories and states.

Nonprofits, government entities, and tribal organizations in Maine working on traffic safety and public infrastructure can apply for National Safety Council’s Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grants, awarding US $50,000 - US $200,000. Funding supports innovative, evidence-based projects that improve road safety, address disparities in mobility and access, and can be replicated or scaled nationally within the U.S.

The Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund - Local Grants Program provides financial support for projects in Coös County, NH, and neighboring communities in New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Québec. Grants up to $20,000 are available for eligible organizations focusing on community development and enhancement. This program aims to strengthen these border regions by fostering local initiatives that align with the foundation's mission to improve quality of life.

The Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund - Large Grants Program offers funding to strengthen communities in Coös County, NH, and bordering areas. With a focus on economic development, community resiliency, and education, the fund supports projects that enhance cultural assets, promote sustainable resource use, and address basic needs. Grants range from $20,000 to $300,000, requiring a pre-application consultation. The foundation aims to empower underserved populations and foster connections within the community.

The Smart Growth America Community Connectors Grant Program supports small and mid-sized cities in addressing divisive infrastructure caused by dangerous roads. With funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this program aims to reconnect communities through temporary street safety projects while fostering skills and partnerships. Eligible teams must represent populations of 50,000 to 500,000 and include both government and community-based organizations. Priority will be given to projects benefiting low-income communities historically affected by disinvestment.