Supports community-informed projects that improve health and make health care more accessible and equitable. The program offers one-year planning grants or multi-year implementation grants for projects addressing barriers to health equity.
Deadline: 2026-07-08Amount: $30,000 - $100,000
Health EquityCommunity-led SolutionsHealthcare Access
Provides funding for community, regional, or statewide health-focused meetings and conferences that align with MeHAF's mission, specifically those relevant to groups facing disproportionate barriers to health services.
Deadline: RollingAmount: $1,000 - $2,000Rolling
Community ConveningHealth AccessHealth Equity
About This Foundation
Maine Health Access Foundation Inc. is a private corporation based in AUGUSTA, ME. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 2001. The principal officer is % Wendy J Wolf. It holds total assets of $154.4M. Annual income is reported at $142.1M. Health Equity Capacity Building: Staff, consultant, and evaluator support to implement the Health Equity Capacity Building Program, which focuses on community-based organizations that are led by individuals from populations that experience inequitable health burdens and disparities in quality of care, and that address the needs of such populations. Specifically, this includes grantee-determined technical assistance and support to wrap around grant funds. In 2021, a program redesign effort involved significant staff time as well as stipends for grantees who participated in advising the planning process. According to available records, Maine Health Access Foundation Inc. has made 528 grants totaling $21.8M, with a median grant of $30K. Annual giving has grown from $5.1M in 2020 to $6.1M in 2023. Grantmaking activity was highest in 2022 with $10.6M distributed across 260 grants. Individual grants have ranged from $300 to $459K, with an average award of $41K. The foundation has supported 261 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in Maine, Vermont, District of Columbia, which account for 98% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 9 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
Application Information
Deadline
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 entities. Private foundations, fiscal sponsorships and organizations with pending non-profit status are occasionally eligible to receive funding; such entities must contact the foundation prior to application to ensure appropriate due diligence. MeHAF primarily funds Maine-based organizations; however, qualified organizations from outside the state may apply for funding if the project activities focus on Maine's health care system or Maine residents. Individuals are ineligible to receive MeHAF grants.
Nova Fund: In January 2023, MeHAF received an unsolicited gift of just over $9 million given by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. MeHAF's Board approved spending of the funds within 3 - 5 years of receipt. The proceeds of the gift have been named the Nova Fund. In March 2023, a rapid planning process with the Board, Community Advisory Committee, and staff yielded a high-level plan for allocation of the funds to the following categories: Health Justice Movement Building; Health Care Workforce; Fiscal Support Strategies for Small Health-Focused Nonprofits; Crisis Response; Increased Funding for Current/Recent Priorities; Big Ideas. During 2023, beyond grants made to current/recent priorities that are reflected elsewhere in this tax return, a multi-day planning retreat was held to begin planning for Health Justice Movement Building.
Expenses: $228K
Health Equity Capacity Building: Staff, consultant, and evaluator support to implement the Health Equity Capacity Building Program, which focuses on community-led organizations led by and addressing the health and health care needs of populations that experience inequitable burdens and disparities. Includes grantee-determined technical assistance and support to complement grant funds.
Expenses: $155K
Responsive Grants Programs - Community Responsive Grants and Systems Improvement and Innovation Grants: Staff and consultant expenses to support two open competitive grants programs that seek to center community-identified health and health care access needs and community-led solutions. Support includes technical assistance and program evaluation.
Expenses: $141K
Health Advocacy: Staff and consultant (evaluation and planning/facilitation) expenses to implement this program that supports key advocacy organizations that represent health care and health issues and populations that are MeHAF priorities.
Expenses: $74K
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Maine Health Access Foundation Inc. fund?
Health Equity Capacity Building: Staff, consultant, and evaluator support to implement the Health Equity Capacity Building Program, which focuses on community-based organizations that are led by individuals from populations that experience inequitable health burdens and disparities in quality of care, and that address the needs of such populations. Specifically, this includes grantee-determined technical assistance and support to wrap around grant funds. In 2021, a program redesign effort involved significant staff time as well as stipends for grantees who participated in advising the planning process. Based on available records, the foundation has funded 528 grants. Its grantmaking reaches organizations primarily in ME, VT, DC.
How much does Maine Health Access Foundation Inc. give in grants?
Maine Health Access Foundation Inc. has distributed a total of $21.8M across 528 grants. The median grant size is $30K, with an average of $41K. Individual grants have ranged from $300 to $459K.
How do I apply for a grant from Maine Health Access Foundation Inc.?
The application deadline is Deadlines are outlined on the MeHAF website; open funding is available for select programs.. 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 entities. Private foundations, fiscal sponsorships and organizations with pending non-profit status are occasionally eligible to receive funding; such entities must contact the foundation prior to application to ensure appropriate due diligence. MeHAF primarily funds Maine-based organizations; however, qualified organizations from outside the state may apply for funding if the project activities focus on Maine's health care system or Maine residents. Individuals are ineligible to receive MeHAF grants. An application form is available on the foundation's website.
Where is Maine Health Access Foundation Inc. located?
Provides small-scale, project-based funding for organizations to explore new or different approaches to their work that align with MeHAF's mission. Projects must be completed with tangible outcomes within one year.
Deadline: RollingAmount: Up to $10,000Rolling
Health AccessHealth EquityInnovation
Maine Health Access Foundation Inc. is headquartered in AUGUSTA, ME. While based in ME, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 9 states.
