Rapid Response Fund is sponsored by Elmina B. Sewall Foundation. Supports emergency and time-sensitive needs of organizations and communities aligning with the Sewall Foundation’s mission in Maine.

Rapid Response Fund — Elmina B. Sewall Foundation Rapid Response Fund Grants The Rapid Response Fund is a grant opportunity that supports emergency and/or time-sensitive needs of organizations and communities whose work aligns with the Sewall Foundation’s mission: To support a culture of equity and interconnected well-being for people, animals, and the environment in Maine.

Emergency refers to an unexpected and unplanned event or situation that requires an immediate and time-limited response. Time-sensitive refers to opportunities that are short-term in duration (usually within the next few months) and purpose. Some examples of Rapid Response Fund grants that we’ve recently made are included below.

Funding requests can be for work happening anywhere in Maine and do not need to fit into one of our grant programs.

Available Funding for 2026: $400,000 Up to $100,000 is for land back and land access projects (see Priorities below) Rapid Response Fund grants do not support: Ongoing operations, programs, or activities Requests to replace existing sources of funding * Sponsorship of events for organizational promotion Requests that require expenditure responsibility Grant Size: Most Rapid Response Fund grants will be no greater than $10,000.

Grant Term: All Rapid Response Fund grants are limited to a 12 month term. Application Timeline: We will begin accepting inquiries for 2026 funding on January 5, 2026. Requests must be received by September 1, 2026.

Please see Application Process below for details and instructions. * For 2026: As mentioned above, the Rapid Response Fund is not intended to replace existing funding sources given that grants are typically up to $10,000. However, we will consider inquiries aimed at stabilizing programs and organizations facing sudden funding losses or responding to policy changes.

Eligibility and Priorities The Rapid Response Fund has limited resources that are available through a competitive process to organizations across the state that meet the criteria described below. Please review our general Eligibility Requirements, found on our Application Process page, for more details.

Focus of work is located in Maine Applicants must be eligible to receive tax-deductible donations as outlined in Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

This includes: 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt organizations; public schools; public agencies working for the State of Maine; Indian tribal governments (and their political subdivisions) recognized by the Department of the Interior Applicants may also apply through a fiscal sponsor, as long as the fiscally sponsored entity does not have a pre-existing tax status and has a clear not-for-profit purpose that serves the public The work of the applicant must be aligned with the values and approach of the Sewall Foundation Eligible organizations may apply regardless of their funding history with the Sewall Foundation The Rapid Response Fund does not fund : Direct or grassroots lobbying or political campaign activities, or 501(c)(4) organizations Private for-profit enterprises or cooperatives In keeping with Sewall’s values and commitment to fostering equity and centering community voice, Rapid Response Fund grants are generally focused on: Community-based organizations with operating budgets under $250,000 Organizations led by and/or serving black, indigenous, people of color, rural Mainers, and women Land back and land access efforts.

Up to $100,000 of the Rapid Response Fund is allocated to support land back (land return) and land access projects. Eligible costs include down payments, legal fees, appraisals, due diligence, and other time-sensitive acquisition expenses. Most grants from the fund will not exceed $10,000.

Additional priorities include: Organizations, networks, or grassroots efforts working to coordinate or mobilize response/action for their field or sector, a geographic region, or a specific community or population Collaborative and cross-sector efforts Efforts that are explicit in their commitment to racial and environmental justice Efforts that integrate the well-being of people, animals and the environment Examples of Rapid Response Fund Grants Below are examples of the kinds of opportunities that Rapid Response Fund grants might support.

These examples are for illustration only – not intended as an exhaustive list – and do not guarantee funding nor refusal to fund individual requests.

Some examples of Rapid Response Fund grant uses: Increasing capacity of a small nonprofit to respond to emergency needs (food, fuel, housing) in their community Supporting an animal shelter to address an unforeseen crisis Supporting unexpected legal costs to remove barriers to equity This grant opportunity follows a two-step process, which will begin with an initial inquiry to the foundation via email.

Staff will review this inquiry and if there is strong alignment with the program intentions and priorities, the foundation will follow-up with a link to a brief application. After reviewing program intentions and priorities, please send your inquiry to rapidresponse@sewallfoundation. org .

Inquiries must be received by September 1, 2026. Please include the following information: A brief summary of the emergency or time sensitive need which the funds requested would address. One to two paragraphs are suggested.

One to two sentences addressing how your work aligns with the Rapid Response Fund priorities. If you are a fiscally sponsored group, or collaborative, please note in the inquiry email. Sewall staff will review your inquiry for alignment with program criteria and priorities, and will respond within two weeks.

Complete an Online Application If there is clear alignment, you will be invited to submit an application and a link will be sent via email. The application is very brief. We will add the text from your inquiry email to the application once it is submitted.

Please note that an invitation to submit an application does not guarantee funding. Sewall staff will review your request and make a decision. You will be notified within two weeks once your application is received.