Community Building Grant Program

Community Building Grant Program is sponsored by Maine Community Foundation. Supports projects that strengthen Maine communities by utilizing existing resources and fostering collaboration.

Community Building - Maine Community Foundation 2027 Community Building Program The Community Building grant program criteria changed for 2027 to strengthen community-level impact by focusing on community-based and community-driven work. The grant program will continue to support all 16 Maine counties with a stronger focus on organizations and projects that primarily serve one county.

After November 16, applicants may review a Microsoft Word version of the grant application before applying online here . To learn more, please register to attend the 2027 Community Building informational webinar on Wednesday, December 2 at noon. On December 15, visit this website to view the webinar recording and download the presentation slides.

Interest Areas : Community-based and community-driven work Geographic Area : County specific Types of Funding : General support, Project Application Opens : Nov. 16 Deadline : Feb. 16, 11:59 p.

m. Staff Contact : See a list of staff contacts by county here . Apply: Click on the orange “Apply” button at the top right of this page.

Applications received : 611 Amount requested : $5,756,437 Number of grants awarded : 363 Grant dollars awarded : $3,137,050 Percentage of applicants that received grants : View your county’s specific data here: Community Building – Maine Community Foundation . Additional Grants by donors: $407,270. 00 (as of April 2026) Recent grants : Click he r e to view the last three years of grants.

The Community Building grant program supports community-based and community-driven organizations and projects primarily serving a single Maine county. All applicants must meet the Maine Community Foundation’s grant eligibility requirements and non-discrimination policy. Please read our eligibility and grant guidelines and non-discrimination policy before applying.

If your organization does not have a tax status and is applying using a fiscal sponsor, please read our fiscal sponsorship guidelines for competitive grant programs . If you do not complete and attach MaineCF’s fiscal sponsorship form , your proposal will be considered ineligible. Memorandum of understanding letters and other fiscal sponsorship forms will not be accepted.

Your organization or project must: Be located in Maine , defined as your organization has a Maine address Primarily serve one county , defined as more than half of the people served and/or activities offered by your organization/project are located in the county Focus on community-based and community-driven work , defined as the people impacted are involved in designing, delivering, and/or evaluating your organization’s work or project NOTE: If you are unsure whether your organization or project meets these criteria, please contact the Community Partner assigned to your county .

Municipalities, government agencies, public schools, or faith-based organizations may only apply for project grants. Organizations whose most recent fiscal or financial year expenses were below $750,000 may be eligible to apply for EITHER a general support grant or project grant. General support grants for organizations whose most recent completed fiscal or financial year expenses were below $750,000.

This flexible funding may support new, expanding, or ongoing programs, as well as operating needs and capital expenses. Project grants for NEW projects within the first two years, including pilot programs, one-time programming outside your organization’s general operations, and one-time capital projects.

Project budgets MAY include: Staff time and one-time capital expenses outside your organization’s general operating budget Administrative overhead up to 20% of the requested funding (include a line item labeled “administrative costs” totaling up to 20 percent or $2,000 of a $10,000 request) Projects budgets may NOT include: Expenses that occur before June 1 (no retroactive funding) Existing programming expanded to focus on a different geographic area or population General operating expenses Annual appeals or capital campaigns Scholarships or camperships Required Attachments for Proposals A list of all the members of your organization's board or advisory committee, including town/city of residence and occupation is required for all proposals.

Project grant proposals may require additional letters in the following circumstances: Municipalities : A letter from the head of the municipality agreeing to accept MaineCF funding Municipal libraries : A letter from the head of the municipality confirming municipal status Public school districts or private schools : A letter from the principal or superintendent agreeing to accept MaineCF funding Your project includes working with a school, tribe, or other organization whose participation is necessary for the success of the work : A letter of agreement from the partner organization’s representative that explains their level of involvement Frequently Asked Questions Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page provides general guidance on the online application portal, fiscal sponsorship, required proposal materials, proposal review process, donor sharing, and eligibility questions.

We encourage you to reach out to the staff member who covers the county you are located in with any questions. County and Regional Program –Staff List Funding Types: General versus Project Support Katie Howard , a MaineCF community partner, explains the differences between general and project support funding and provides helpful grant application tips.

For MaineCF Donors & Fundholders For MaineCF Applicants, Reviewers, and Grantees To access an application, a proposal, or a grant report. For MaineCF Staff Members Staff access to MaineCF materials. County & Regional Program For MaineCF County and Regional Committees Advisor access to committee information.

Online Scholarship Review For MaineCF Scholarship Reviewers Advisor access to scholarship applications.