Foundations that fund human services in Maine
These 25 foundations made grants to human services in Maine in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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Maine Health Access Foundation Inc
- $134,000 to New England Arab American Organization, Portland: Health Equity Capacity;HECB collab grants;Kindred Hearts;MotherComfort
- $75,000 to Presente Maine, Portland: Heath Advocacy; La Red Matriarcal
- $65,000 to Aroostook Area Agency on Aging Inc, Presque Isle: MSP Enrollment; Improving Public Transportation for Better Health
How to apply: Grant applications are submitted via MeHAF's on-line grants management system, which can be accessed via the Grants Center on the MeHAF website: http://www.mehaf.org/grants- center/grantseekers/. Applications for several grant programs, including Discretionary Grants, Community...
Deadlines: Deadlines are outlined on the MeHAF website; open funding is available for select programs.
Restrictions: The foundation generally limits its grant awards offered through competitive RFPs to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organizations, educational institutions, governmental entities, tribal organizations, or other public, non-profit...
Sam L Cohen Foundation
- $50,000 to Preble Street, Portland: Operating support
- $45,000 to Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition, Portland: Operating support
- $40,000 to Prosperityme, Portland: Operating support
How to apply: Refer to www.samlcohenfoundation.org for specific information
Deadlines: Refer to www.samlcohenfoundation.org for specific information
Restrictions: Refer to www.samlcohenfoundation.org for specific information
Saco & Biddeford Savings Charitable Foundation
- $17,450 to Hospice of Southern Maine, Scarborough: General Operating Support
- $5,500 to Sweetser, Saco: General Operating Support
- $5,000 to Caring Unlimited, Sanford: General Operating Support
How to apply: Amount requested; proof of 501(c)(3) status; and statement of intended use.
Restrictions: Must be a 501(c)(3) organization and a qualifying public charity. Application must describe persons/communities served.
Onion Foundation
- $57,500 to Mayo Street Arts, Portland: To provide general support
- $25,000 to Gateway Community Services Maine, Portland: To support transportation, lodging, and staffing for outdoor experiences
- $22,500 to Khmer Maine, Portland: To host a monthly series of Indigenous learning events and outdoor trips
How to apply: To submit an application, applicants may go to the Foundation's online grant portal to set up an account: https://www.onionfoundation.org/for-grantees Onion Foundation offers grants through its Arts Program and its Environment Program. Please review the appropriate program page...
Deadlines: Application links are posted on the program pages when the application period is open.
Restrictions: To apply for and receive a grant, your organization must be a 501(c)3 public charity as designated by the IRS, operate under a fiscal sponsor that is a qualified 501(c)3 public charity, be a public education institution, or be a Maine...
Narragansett Number One Foundation
- $20,000 to Welcome To Housing Home Goods Bank, Bangor: Contribute to general operating supp
- $15,000 to Caring Unlimited Corp, Sanford: Provide general operating support to
- $10,000 to The Family Restored, Portland: General operating support for organi
How to apply: Written application is required
Deadlines: Applications are due between november 1 and april 1 of each year.
Restrictions: The foundation makes the majority of its grants to public charities in the town of buxton, maine and surrounding areas.
Fisher Charitable Foundation
- $10,000 to Prosperityme, Portland: Immigrant financial literacy and counseling
- $7,500 to Common Good Soup Kitchen Community, Southwest Harbor: General operating support
- $5,000 to Preble Street, Portland: General operating support
How to apply: Information and a grant application can be found on the foundation's website https://fishercharitablefoundation.org/application-procedures/
Deadlines: February 15, may 15, august 15, november 15
Restrictions: The foundation generally limits its grants to charitable organizations, activities, operations or purposes which take place within the state of maine.
Machias Savings Bank Community Development Foundation
- $5,000 to The Opportunity Alliance, South Portland: Program Support Grant
- $5,000 to Preble Street, Portland: Program Support Grant
- $5,000 to The Northern Lighthouse Inc, Presque Isle: Program Support Grant
How to apply: Potential applicants may learn about and apply for funding through the Machias Savings Bank website, at: https://www.machiassavings.bank/guidelines.aspx Applicants will be asked to describe their organization and why they are deserving of funding. The Foundation will prioritize...
Deadlines: Please allow 30 days from the time of the request for donations. The Giving Committee meets monthly.
Restrictions: The Foundation only makes grants to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations. A nonprofit may apply for a donation from the Machias Savings Bank and still be eligible for a grant from the Foundation. Awards are generally limited to organizations...
The Alfred M Senter Fund Trust
- $5,000 to Bath Area Family Ymca, Bath: Support of programs
- $4,000 to Dean Snell Cancer Foundation, Brunswick: Support of programs
- $3,000 to Albiston Foundation, Carrabassett Valley: Support of programs
How to apply: Application letter
Restrictions: Grants are restricted to public charities which provide services in the state of maine. Preference is given to the towns of brunswick, topsham, durham, harpswell, west bath, lisbon and bath.
Agnes M Lindsay Trust
- $5,000 to Maine Needs, Portland: Homeless shelter
- $3,000 to Maine Immigrant & Refugee Services Inc, Lewiston: Campership
- $3,000 to Bath Area Family Ymca, Bath: Food pantry/food bank
How to apply: In writing, resume of organization and program, use of funds, two years of audited financial statements and irs determination letter.
Restrictions: Limited to ma, me, nh, and vt. Must be 501 (c) (3) but not a private foundation.
Simmons Foundation - Perkinsthompson
- $3,300 to Inn Along the Way, Damariscotta: Death Wings Project
- $3,000 to Preble Street, Portland: Preble StreetTeen Services
- $3,000 to Hospice of Southern Maine, Scarborough: Hospice Training
How to apply: See attached schedule
Deadlines: There are no submission deadlines
Restrictions: See attached schedule
Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation
- $10,000 to Sweetser, Saco: General Purpose
- $10,000 to The Drop-in Center, Poland: General Purpose
- $2,500 to Biddeford Food Pantry, Biddeford: General Purpose
How to apply: Potential recipient organizations will be identified and examined by the Board of Directors of the Foundation. The Foundation may require written grant proposals from each potential grant recipient. If the Foundation does require a written grant proposal, the grant proposal...
Restrictions: All recipient organizations are required to be Section 501(c)(3) organizations. The Foundation places particular emphasis on Maine-based organizations operating in Androscoggin, Cumberland, and York Counties, and intends to make grants to...
The Richard M Schulze Family Foundation
- $5,000 to Madelines Mission, Bath: Human services
- $5,000 to Greater Portland Family Promise, Portland: Human services
- $2,850 to Store Next Door, Lewiston: Human services
How to apply: See grant application guidelines at www.schulzefamilyfoundation.org
Deadlines: See grant application guidelines at www.schulzefamilyfoundation.org
Restrictions: See grant application guidelines at www.schulzefamilyfoundation.org
Mascoma Bank Foundation
- $5,000 to Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center, Portland: Services for new mainers
- $5,000 to Greater Portland Family Promise, Portland: Homelessness prevention
- $3,000 to United Recovery Fund, Portland: Client employment supports
How to apply: Applications may be submitted on the mascoma bank website and should be complete on submission.
Deadlines: Proposals are considered quarterly. Deadlines are january 1, april 1, july 1, and october 1.
Restrictions: Grants to organizations within the lending area of mascoma bank. An organization receiving funds from the foundation is eligible to submit a new application if at least 24 months has passed since they have received a donation.
Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation Inc
- $20,000 to Caring Unlimited, Sanford: General operating support
- $15,000 to Grahamtastic Connection, Springvale: General operating support
- $15,000 to Preble Street, Portland: General operating support
How to apply: No specific format or content
Restrictions: Limited to charitable, religious, scientific, literary or educational purposes described in section 170(c) of the internal revenue code.
Cape Elizabeth Home Dba Jonah and Elizabeth Dyer Char Corp
- $15,000 to Southern Maine Agency on Aging, Biddeford: To address the pressing needs of maine's aging population, particularly focusing on...
- $10,000 to Hospice of Southern Maine, Scarborough: To provide hospice care, grief support, and volunteer services to patents and their loved...
- $7,800 to Peregrine Corporation, South Portland: For the waves senior program for persons with intellectual disabilities
How to apply: All applications shall be in writing and shall set forth the name and address of the applicant; the name and address of the qualified licensed non-profit nursing homes, assisted living homes, boarding homes, retirement homes or other living accommodation; a statement of expenses...
Deadlines: 2/28, 5/31, 8/31 & 11/30 for march, june, sep & dec awards
Restrictions: Grants are made to qualified non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations that are senior agencies, senior medical providers, nursing homes, assisted living homes, boarding homes, and retirement homes located in maine with emphasis on the towns of...
The Sherman Family Foundation C/O Beverly Sherman
- $10,000 to Preble Street, Portland: General
- $2,500 to Sweetser, Saco: General
- $1,000 to Opportunity Alliance, South Portland: General
How to apply: Request in letter
Restrictions: No restrictions or limitations
Avangrid Foundation Inc
- $50,000 to Preble Street, Portland: Community programs
- $15,000 to New Beginnings, Lewiston: Community programs
How to apply: Foundation has a grant application
Restrictions: Qualified 501(c)(3) and related entities based and operating in the us and territories primarily, with a focus sustainable communities and vulnerable persons.
Td Charitable Foundation
- $25,000 to Preble Street, Portland: Preble street health services
- $10,000 to Community Care, Bangor: Transitional and rapid-rehousing program for youth experiencing homelessness
How to apply: Grant applications are accessible soley via the internet. The web address to access grant applications is: https://www.tdbank.com/corporate-responsibility/the-ready-commitment/funding -opportunities/
Restrictions: Organization must be a 501(c)(3) public charity. Organization must be located in a state with a td bank, na branch. The foundation will award only one grant to any program within one calendar year. Grants cannot be made to/for the...
The Aaron A and Maria H Putnam Family Charitable Trust
- $12,000 to Adopt A Block Aroostook, Houlton: Providing families food & recreation
- $10,328 to Putnam House, Houlton: Senior center
How to apply: Prescribed request for grant form
Deadlines: Calendar year end
Restrictions: Must be 501(c)(3) organization for health, education, economic development & community service needs of houlton, maine
Marr-Anderson Family Foundation
- $10,000 to Grahamtastic Connection, Springvale: Technology Support for Children in Need
- $5,000 to Wayfinder Schools, Camden: Passages Program
How to apply: See https://www.marrandersonfamilyfoundation.org/our-grant For Specific Information
Deadlines: See https://www.marrandersonfamilyfoundation.org/our-grant For Specific Information
Restrictions: See https://www.marrandersonfamilyfoundation.org/our-grant For Specific Information
Ploughshares Foundation
- $10,000 to Homeworthy, Rockland: General
- $2,000 to Wayfinder Schools, Camden: General
How to apply: All applications must be in written form. They must include a description of the organization which is submitting the application, the grant amount(s) requested by such organization and the use which the submitting organization intends to make of any grant(s) that may be...
Deadlines: No
Restrictions: No
Atlantic Charitable Fund C/O Alan J Pethick
- $6,000 to The Northern Lighthouse, Mars Hill: Support for homeless, domestic violence, and substance abuse programs
- $6,000 to New Beginnings Inc, Lewiston: Support for homeless, domestic violence, and substance abuse programs
How to apply: Written request
Restrictions: Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) organization and include housing for low-income people and/or domestic violence prevention as part of the organization's mission.
Elsie & William Viles Foundation C/O Mark L Johnston Treasurer
- $5,000 to Coastal Kids Preschool, Damariscotta: Backpack explorers project
- $4,000 to Neighbors Driving Neighbors, Mount Vernon: Recruit, on-board, train ED and new drivers
How to apply: The application form, submission materials, and other application information can be found online at: https://www.elsieandwilliamvilesfoundation.org/Application/ To request funding, applicants should be prepared to submit a cover letter, proof of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and...
Deadlines: Applications open April and are due by May. Recipients are notified in July.
Restrictions: The Foundation only provides funding for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes as are permitted to organizations exempt from federal income tax and described in section 501(c)(3) of the code, including without...
Bill and Joan Alfond Family Foundation
- $500,000 to Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, Waterville: Skowhegan public school early childhood education wing
How to apply: Applicants should submit their requests as follows: (1) a brief (1-3 page) letter describing the project, drive or campaign. This should include a statement of need, number of people benefited, geographic area served, total fund raising goal, strategy and amount requested from...
Deadlines: No submission deadlines.
Restrictions: The foundation contributes to organizations in the field of higher education. The foundation also contributes to worthy charities within its principal area of geographic interest. When considering major grants, the foundation normally...
The Christensen Fund
- $350,000 to Indigenous Peoples Rights Inc, West Boothbay Harbor: General support
How to apply: Prospective grantees are invited to submit full proposals electronically (pre-grant inquiry). The information to be included, not limited to: identity, contact information, tax status, registration and governing documents, financial statements, key officers and major funders,...
Deadlines: See below
Restrictions: No restrictions
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