Rural Partnerships Grants

Rural Partnerships Grants is sponsored by Elmina B. Sewall Foundation. Supports collaborative, community-led solutions to structural challenges in rural Maine, with affordable housing being one of the supported initiatives.

The foundation emphasizes equity, community voice, and outcomes that exceed what single organizations could achieve independently. Grants are by invitation only due to limited available funding; priority is given to the Katahdin Region and Washington County.

Rural Partnerships — Elmina B. Sewall Foundation Rural Partnerships Grants The Sewall Foundation works with our partners to create a thriving, healthy, and resilient rural Maine where communities envision and guide their future.

We support collaborative backbone infrastructure and partnerships that co-create solutions to structural problems with the communities closest to the issues at hand and achieve outcomes beyond what any single organization could achieve on their own. 2026 available funding: $95,000 In 2025, many multi-year grants were awarded, so available funding in 2026 is limited. As a result, grants will be offered by invitation only.

We may invite new applications, including from organizations not currently funded, or work with existing partners to amend their current grants. Program Contact: ruralpartnerships@sewallfoundation. org Photo courtesy of Women for Healthy Rural Living For over a decade, the Sewall Foundation has focused on place-based rural grantmaking in the Katahdin Region and Washington County.

Between 2025 and 2027, we will continue to prioritize work in the Katahdin Region and Washington County while also exploring ways to expand support by 2027 for additional regional, statewide, and cross-sector partnerships. Priority work supported in the past includes: Climate change planning and adaptation Human health and social service systems change initiatives Natural resource-based economic opportunities (ex.

regional trail systems, industrial mill site cleanup and redevelopment) Regional visioning or planning initiatives Two-generation (2Gen) approaches Wabanaki partnerships (land back, habitat restoration, economic development) Workforce development and training 2026 Available Funding: $95,000 Generally, grant funding levels in this program area are: Individual organizations: $10,000 to $60,000 per year Increased funding amounts may be available to organizations that are acting as a hub for federal grants or that have special capital, operating, or project needs.

Collaborative efforts involving multiple organizations/groups: up to $200,000 per year when that level of funding is available. For 2026, please reach out to discuss collaborative effort needs.

Occasionally, organizations may apply for both organizational and collaborative funds Transformational opportunities: variable funding levels These efforts address critical community and regional priorities and create sustainable, systemic changes. Generally, funding is limited to one to two years. 2026 Application Information Applications were due by February 25, at 5pm.

Grant decisions will be announced by early May, 2026. Because of the limited funding available this year, our grantmaking will be by invitation only. We may invite new applications, including from organizations not currently funded, or work with existing partners to amend their current grants.

We’re pleased to present this series of articles on our inspiring grant partners . Downeast Institute (DEI) received two Rural Partnerships grants to support its first-ever fundraising campaign. The $4 million dollar comprehensive campaign will allow DEI to purchase a neighboring 10-acre property, renovate four old lobster cottages to provide much-needed housing and fill several key leadership positions.

Our Katahdin has received six Healthy People Healthy Places grants since 2017. Read to learn how Our Katahdin’s collaborative volunteer movement is breathing new life into the former mill town of Millinocket, Maine, and bringing jobs back to the region. Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC) has received 10 Healthy People Healthy Places grants since 2013.

Read to learn how SCEC is bringing together businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, and citizens to create jobs and prosperity in Washington County.