Best Grants for Seniors in Maine

Local governments in Maine can obtain funding for operating costs, equipment, and program materials that benefit low- and moderate-income residents, including seniors, through the CDBG Public Service Grant Program. Maine Department of Economic and Community Development supports services such as senior programs, health care, recreation, public safety, homelessness, and mental health, with awards up to US $50,000.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Maine and other Vermont Mutual Insurance Group territories can seek funding for education, youth development, community-based initiatives, and basic needs programs that strengthen community quality of life. Vermont Mutual Insurance Group provides support to help build healthy lives and vibrant communities, which may include services benefiting seniors and aging populations.

Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status serving low-income, vulnerable residents in Maine can receive up to US $30,000 to address basic needs like hunger, housing, and crisis support. The John T Gorman Foundation funds existing programs, general operating support, and one-time, 12‑month projects, including services that help seniors age in place.

Nonprofits serving seniors and other vulnerable groups in Maine and Northern New England can seek support for senior services, basic human needs, home health, hospice care, arts access, education, and environmental education. With a mission to aid underserved communities, Adelard and Valeda Roy Foundation provides US $2,500 - US $10,000 for programs benefiting immigrants, refugees, Indigenous communities, low-income youth, and the elderly.

Grants from Point32Health Foundation help Maine nonprofits serving older adults advance equity in aging through multi-year general operating support. Organizations focused on social and racial justice, policy, advocacy, and systems change around aging and social determinants of health may be eligible, with funding usable for operations, staff wellness, leadership coaching, and other capacity-building needs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving seniors and other vulnerable groups in Maine can apply for Agnes M. Lindsay Trust grants of US $1,000 - US $7,500 to support health and welfare, dental care, food security, shelters, and camperships. Grants from Agnes M. Lindsay Trust help Maine senior services and human services programs with both capital and operating needs.

Organizations in Maine working to improve health and access to care for older adults, rural residents, families, and others can apply for Maine Health Access Foundation’s Systems Improvement and Innovation Responsive Grants, with awards up to US $50,000. Funding supports systems-level innovations that advance health equity in rural health, aging, behavioral health, and maternal and child health.

Nonprofits, government entities, and universities supporting marginalized older adults can seek funding for systems-level innovations that make aging more affordable, including in Maine. Next50 Foundation supports projects focused on ending ageism, advancing digital equity, or aging in place, especially those serving low-income and historically underserved seniors through collaborative, multi-year efforts.

Maine nonprofits serving LGBTQ+ seniors and providing senior services or aging support can access funding through the Leonard Litz Foundation’s SilverConnect Initiative to strengthen programs for older adults. Grants support efforts that reduce isolation, improve quality of life, and expand affirming resources and care systems for LGBTQ+ elders within the foundation’s Eastern U.S. service area.

Nonprofit research institutions conducting applied studies on adults 60+ and their caregivers can seek support for aging-focused research, including interventional trials, translational work, and health services or policy studies. Grants from Retirement Research Foundation help Maine and other U.S. organizations when projects have national relevance or are specific to Illinois, with strong dissemination plans encouraged.

Nonprofit organizations advancing advocacy for adults 60+ through U.S. or Illinois policy-change projects can seek funding to address seniors’ economic security, health care, housing, and related systemic issues. Retirement Research Foundation supports strategic, partnership-driven efforts that clearly separate advocacy from lobbying and can include Maine-focused work with broader regional or national impact, with awards from US $10,000 - US $160,000.

Maine senior service nonprofits addressing the needs of older adults can access funding through Friends Foundation for the Aging for innovative, program-based work rather than capital projects. 501(c)(3) organizations, especially those serving underserved seniors or offering caregiver support, intergenerational programs, or leadership development in aging services, may be particularly competitive.

With a mission to support health and senior care, Albert G And Olive H Schlink Foundation provides Maine organizations serving older adults with funding for senior services, aging, and related patient care. Nonprofits focused on disability, mental health, hospice, home health, and residential care for seniors may be especially competitive, with preference for Ohio-based work but broader U.S. applicants considered.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with programs serving Japanese American seniors, youth, and communities in Maine and nationwide can apply for project grants from the JA Community Foundation, ranging from US $2,500 - US $50,000. Focus areas include senior health and services, history, arts and culture, and youth; operating costs are not funded.

Maine senior services and aging-focused 501(c)(3) organizations can access funding through the Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement to support programs for older adults. Grants back specific projects such as adult day care, dementia and stroke support, home health and wellness, nutrition and mobility services, and limited research on geriatric life improvement across the U.S.

Maine research institutions and universities focused on senior health and aging can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to establish Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers. These P30 center grants support geriatrics research and research education aimed at maintaining or restoring independence for older adults, and are available across the U.S. territories and states.

Health care leaders focused on senior services and age-friendly care in Maine and nationwide can receive scholarships covering US $13,995 in fees for the AHA Next Generation Leaders Fellowship. John A Hartford Foundation supports implementation of the Age-Friendly Health Systems 4Ms Framework through these competitive fellowships for rising hospital and health system change agents.

The Harry Kramer Memorial Fund Grant supports U.S. charitable organizations that assist individuals and institutions in Israel, focusing on welfare, healthcare for the sick and aged, and education in South Florida. Founded by Harry A. Kramer, a successful entrepreneur and veteran, the fund reflects his deep commitment to charitable causes. Organizations must qualify under Section 501(c)(3) and meet specific eligibility criteria to apply for funding, ensuring that aid reaches those in need.

The David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation offers grants to 501(c)(3) organizations focused on sight preservation, children's services, and environmental conservation, primarily in Utah. Established in memory of David Kelby Johnson, who tragically lost his life at a young age, the foundation aims to honor his legacy by supporting impactful charitable initiatives. Grants range from $5,000 to $100,000, with a commitment to improving communities both locally and globally.

The Transition to Aging Research Award for Predoctoral Students, funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), invites exceptional graduate students to pursue aging-related postdoctoral training. This two-phase award supports late-stage doctoral candidates in completing dissertation projects across diverse research areas. It aims to facilitate smooth transitions into competitive aging-focused postdoctoral roles, fostering the development of future investigators in aging research. This initiative is designed to enhance collaboration and impactful research in the field of aging.

The Michigan Health Endowment Fund offers Scholarships for Conferences and Professional Development to support health-related events. These scholarships, up to $2,500 per person and $5,000 per organization, are available for current or past grantees and partners. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with a requirement to submit at least four weeks before the event. Priority is given to organizations that haven't received funding in the previous year, ensuring equitable access to professional development opportunities.

The Robert J. Keown Trust, established in 1934, provides financial assistance to needy Christians through grants to charitable organizations. Managed by Wells Fargo Bank N.A., the trust focuses on supporting organizations that benefit residents of Los Angeles County. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt. Preference is given to requests aiding needy Christians and elderly women. The trust awards an average of four grants per year, fostering community support and outreach.

Research institutions and organizations conducting Alzheimer’s and dementia-related research in Maine can access funding through the NIH Research Education Program (R25) to provide intensive postbaccalaureate research education experiences. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health supports one-to-two-year mentored projects that build the AD/ADRD research workforce and prepare participants for advanced research careers in aging.

Early-career clinical and translational researchers conducting human-focused studies on cognitive aging and age-related memory loss in U.S. institutions can receive up to US $150,000 for salary and direct research costs. Grants from the American Academy of Neurology Institute may benefit Maine investigators whose work serves or informs the health of older adults and seniors.

The JTMF Foundation Grant focuses on improving the lives of individuals in need, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. By partnering with organizations addressing immediate needs and long-term challenges, the foundation supports children, older adults, veterans, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Guided by Catholic values, JTMF aims to empower communities while seeking innovative solutions to societal issues. Organizations that align with these focus areas are encouraged to connect, fostering a collaborative effort towards meaningful impact.

The McKnight Brain Research Foundation Innovator Awards aim to support innovative research in cognitive aging and memory loss, offering two 3-year grants of $750,000 each. Targeted at early-career investigators, the program encourages high-risk, high-gain proposals that explore clinical translational research and the biological mechanisms of cognitive aging. By fostering emerging scientific leaders, the initiative seeks to advance transformative discoveries in this critical area of aging research, enhancing understanding and treatment of age-related cognitive decline.

The Sagol Network GerOmic Award for Junior Faculty supports early career investigators in aging research, focusing on -omics studies related to biological aging and age-related diseases. Research areas include genomics, proteomics, and interventions targeting aging. Eligible applicants are independent researchers at U.S. not-for-profit institutions, with 10 years or fewer since their postdoctoral training. The award may cover overhead costs, promoting innovative research in the vital field of gerontology.