Best Maine Grants for Nonprofits

The Adelard A. and Valeda Lea Roy Foundation Grant focuses on supporting organizations in arts, education, health, and environmental sectors, especially in underserved communities in Massachusetts and Northern New England. Grants typically range from $2,500 to $10,000, with an emphasis on projects that address food security, housing, and cultural access for disadvantaged populations. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that align with its current funding priorities, particularly benefiting low-income youth, Indigenous communities, and immigrants.

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.

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.

Health Equity Capacity-Building (HECB) Program

Purpose

In 2021, the HECB grantees worked in partnership with MeHAF staff to develop this aspirational goal statement for the program:

The long-term goal of the HECB program is to provide a foundation for MeHAF and grantees to collectively work toward building a movement for health equity in Maine.

Through the program, grantees and MeHAF will forge new transformative, healing relationships, both between funder and grantee and across communities.

Working together, grantees and MeHAF will craft a system and structure that enables grantees to examine and strengthen their internal systems, skills, resources, networks, and audience so that they each have what they need to pursue their missions and build long-term, sustainable power.

MeHAF will use its voice and influence to spread equitable practices to other funders, the state, and mainstream organizations. 

By learning alongside grantees, MeHAF will build and sustain grant programs that advance justice and equity, and apply that learning across its other programs.

To support this goal, the program pairs unrestricted operating support grants with a cohort learning community and self-selected technical assistance supports, both in group and individualized settings, and works provide ways for grantees to collaborate and connect.

Department of Economic and Community Development

At DECD, we are more than two dozen experts whose broad mission is to help communities and businesses prosper through a variety of programs providing everything from targeted tax relief to community block grants to tourism marketing. Whether your business wants to make a film here, bring a Maine-made product to market, expand an aquaculture project, or explore financing when moving a business to our state, our experienced staff can help.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program 

In 1982 the State of Maine began administering the CDBG Program to assist units of local government in various community projects in areas ranging from infrastructure, housing, downtown revitalization to public facilities and economic development.

CDBG Objectives

All CDBG funded activities must meet one of three National Objectives of the program. These objectives are:

• Benefit to low- and moderate-income persons.
• Prevention and/or elimination of slum and blight conditions; and
• Meeting community development needs having a particular urgency

The Maine CDBG Program serves as a catalyst for local governments to implement programs which meet one of the three National Objectives, and:

• Are part of a long-range community strategy, or State of Maine Strategic Economic Development Plan
• Improve deteriorated residential and business districts and local economic conditions
• Provide the conditions and incentives for further public and private investments
• Foster partnerships between groups of municipalities, state and federal entities, multi-jurisdictional organizations, and the private sector to address common community and economic development problems; and
• Minimize development sprawl consistent with the State of Maine Growth Management Act and support the revitalization of downtown areas.

Urgent Need Grant Program

The Urgent need Grant (UN) Program provides funding to communities to address serious and immediate threats to health and welfare which are declared state or federal disasters.

 The applicant must address a community development need which meets all four criteria listed below:

• poses a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community;
• originated or became a direct threat to public health and safety no more than 18 months prior to submission of the application;
• is a project the applicant cannot finance on its own. “Cannot finance on its own” means, that the town’s tax burden, regulatory structure, utility user fees, bonding capacity, or previous or existing budgetary commitments, precludes it from assuming the additional financial obligation needed for this project; and
• cannot be addressed with other sources of funding.

Funding for this program may be available based upon redistribution, reallocation and/or additional allocation from HUD.

The AgEnhancement Grant, awarded by Farm Credit East and CoBank, provides funding between $500 to $10,000 annually to support projects that enhance agriculture, commercial fishing, and forest products in the Northeast. Since 1996, over $3.5 million has been distributed to various organizations. The program seeks initiatives that promote diversity and provide opportunities for all-sized farms, ensuring long-term benefits to the community and industry.

The Kiwanis Foundation of New England End Hunger Grant supports Kiwanis Divisions and SLP Administrators in their efforts to combat hunger in New England. By contributing $1,500 towards a $4,000 meal packing project, participants can access $2,500 in funding for projects aimed at providing 10,000 meals. This initiative not only fosters community involvement but also ensures that vital resources are allocated to fight hunger effectively.

About Northeast SARE

The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program offers grants and education to farmers, educators, service providers, researchers and others to address key issues affecting the sustainability of agriculture throughout our region.

The program serves Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The program is administered by Northeast SARE's host institution, the University of Vermont.

Farming Community Grant Program

The Northeast SARE Farming Community Grant applies social science research and education projects that strengthen farming and food systems at the community level.

These projects explore innovative approaches to improving the health and sustainability of agricultural communities in the Northeast. This program supports projects that are grounded in community partnerships and informed by the lived experiences of farmers. It encourages collaboration among farmers, service providers, researchers, and nonprofit organizations to co-create solutions that are responsive to local needs and scalable across the region.

This program encourages innovative solutions to challenges in farming and food systems in the Northeast USA, including but not limited to the areas of: Marketing and business; Crop production; Raising livestock; Aquaculture; Economic and social sustainability; Ecological knowledge; Projects related to climate and/or bioenergy work that provide direct or indirect benefits to farmers,ranchers, and private foresters; and more.

Technical Assistance Program

Applicants and grantees of the Farming Community Grant Program are eligible for Technical Assistance (TA) provided by Northeast SARE’s Technical Assistance Providers.

Funding: This grant is reimbursement based; you must spend money to receive the grant funds.

The Allison Keller Education Technology Grant Program, established by the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, aims to bridge the technological gap for schools and organizations supporting individuals with autism. Since 2012, over $820,000 has been awarded to enhance learning through technology, including iPads and apps. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and public schools in Massachusetts and surrounding New England states, with one program per district receiving funding annually.

Local governments in Maine can seek funding for new or expanded public services benefiting low- and moderate-income residents, including seniors, homeless individuals, and people with disabilities. Maine Department of Economic and Community Development supports operating costs, equipment, and program materials for workforce training, childcare, health, education, recreation, public safety, and related services, with awards up to US $50,000.

The Encova Foundation of West Virginia is dedicated to improving communities by supporting local causes that align with the values of its associates and policyholders. They focus on health, education, and wellness, emphasizing the importance of children's success. Organizations applying for grants must be U.S.-based and verified as charitable. Preference is given to initiatives impacting health and education, especially those involving Encova associates as active participants.

Maine local governments seeking funds to rehabilitate or convert multi-family housing for low- and moderate-income residents in Maine can apply for the CDBG Housing Assistance Program, with awards up to US $1,000,000. The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development requires a 20% cash match and an OCD-approved multi-family project, which may benefit nonprofits partnering on affordable or supportive housing initiatives.

The CDBG Downtown Revitalization Grant Program, administered by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, aims to enhance downtown areas through innovative solutions. Eligible communities must match 25% of the grant and demonstrate recent revitalization planning. Projects should benefit low/moderate income individuals or address slum conditions. Maximum funding is $300,000, with bonus points for communities designated by the Maine Downtown Center. This program fosters public and private investments for sustainable growth.

The Maine Sea Grant Program Development Funds support small research projects and proof-of-concept initiatives that align with Maine Sea Grant's strategic goals. Funding ranges from $1,000 to $5,000, with larger budgets requiring discussion beforehand. Eligible applicants include individuals from Maine-based academic, research, and for-profit entities. The program prioritizes projects that enhance research, education, and outreach efforts, while also allowing for conference support under specific conditions.

The Maine Sea Grant Biennial Request for Proposals aims to fund diverse research projects that connect Maine's scientific expertise with the needs of coastal communities. Approximately $600,000 is available over two years, with a maximum of $200,000 per project. Proposals supporting the 2024-2027 strategic plan, engaging diverse partners, and addressing climate action strategies are encouraged. This initiative is open to various institutions and aims to enhance the state's support for underserved coastal communities.

Project Canopy, supported by the Maine Forest Service, offers grants up to $20,000 to enhance community forestry programs. This initiative focuses on educating communities about the benefits of trees and fostering collaboration between experts and local governments. By promoting sustainable forestry management and increasing awareness, Project Canopy aims to improve the health and livability of communities through effective tree planting and maintenance strategies.

The Maine Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is a competitive annual grant initiative by the USDA to support specialty crop producers. Since 2002, over $7.5 million has been awarded to enhance market research and promote new technologies. Administered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the program evaluates applications through a statewide competitive process, ensuring that the funding directly benefits Maine's specialty crop industry, rather than individual businesses.

The Maine Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grants support the development and maintenance of recreational trails for both motorized and non-motorized uses. Funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, RTP grants cover up to 80% of project costs, with a focus on enhancing trail access, safety, and environmental education. Eligible applicants include non-profits, municipalities, and state agencies. The program aims to foster diverse trail use, promote tourism, and ensure accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities.

The ME Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) supports the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation facilities in Maine. Administered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, this program provides grants covering up to 50% of eligible project costs. Eligible applicants include state agencies, local governments, and tribal nations. For requests of $20,000 or less, pre-application discussions with the grant manager are advised to ensure project viability.

The Island Foundation offers Alternative Education Grants aimed at supporting experiential education programs, after-school initiatives, and alternative education schools. Established in 1979, the Foundation emphasizes unconventional approaches that connect youth with their environment, promote community service, and embrace diverse learning styles. They prioritize funding for 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, with a focus on maritime trades and programs benefitting at-risk youth.

The Island Foundation offers Environment Grants to support projects in coastal regions of Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, focusing on marine and coastal resource conservation. Priority is given to initiatives addressing climate change, promoting sustainable landscapes, and enhancing community health through environmental conservation. The Foundation encourages 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, with a preference for those engaged locally, to apply for funding that strengthens both ecological and community resilience.

The Autism Community Impact Grant by the Flutie Foundation supports not-for-profit organizations that enhance the lives of individuals and families affected by autism. In 2023, the grant focuses on underserved and culturally diverse communities, funding programs that make an immediate impact. Eligible projects include educational, vocational, and recreational opportunities, as well as support services. The Foundation encourages applications that serve those profoundly affected by autism, aiming to improve their quality of life.

The ATV Municipal Grant (ME) is a funding opportunity from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, designed to assist municipalities in developing and maintaining ATV trails. Municipalities can receive reimbursement for up to 90% of eligible costs, including equipment rental and repair. To qualify, towns, cities, or counties must submit requests with matching local funds. A commitment of one year is required to access this financial aid.

The Howard E. Stark Charitable Foundation focuses on granting funds to small, dedicated animal welfare organizations in the Northeast US. Established in 2007, the foundation supports various initiatives, including humane societies, rescue organizations, and wildlife rehabilitation services. With a commitment to making a difference, they aim to empower groups with limited assets and fundraising capabilities to enhance animal welfare through essential services and educational programs.

The ATV Club Grant in Maine provides funding to registered ATV clubs for trail development and maintenance. Available funds can cover up to 100% of eligible expenses, with a maximum reimbursement of $12,000. Clubs must be incorporated and in good standing to apply. Eligible costs include trail improvement, equipment rentals, and labor. However, capital equipment purchases are not reimbursable. This grant aims to support the growth and maintenance of ATV trails across the state.

The George I. Alden Trust offers a Higher Education Grant aimed at supporting independent colleges and universities in New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The Trust prioritizes capital needs to enhance the educational experience, approving grants up to $100,000 for first-time applicants. Eligible institutions must have a minimum of 1,000 full-time undergraduate students and demonstrate a commitment to educational excellence and effective administration.

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.