Sustainable Maine Program Grants

Sustainable Maine Program Grants is sponsored by Natural Resources Council of Maine. This program offers grants to schools, organized nonprofit committees, municipalities, and community libraries in Maine to help them reach their sustainability goals.

Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) Sustainability Grant Application The Natural Resources Council of Maine's Sustainable Maine Program encourages individuals, communities, and the state to adopt practical, effective measures that conserve and protect our natural resources. Our overarching goal is a resilient future where people are able to work, play, and thrive in Maine.

To help advance sustainability initiatives throughout the state, we are offering grants for community organizations up to $2,000 to help them reach their goals.

**There are three deadlines for grant applications to be submitted for consideration:** * **Summer Grants - must be submitted by June 5, 2026** * **Fall/Winter Grants - must be submitted by September 4, 2026** * **Spring Grants - must be submitted by December 4, 2026** NRCM will evaluate your application on the following criteria: 1. Relevance to NRCM's Sustainable Maine Program; initiative must contribute to a sustainable community 2.

Strength of the group's organizing skills; demonstrated ability to carry out the project plan 3. Need for funding to reach the goals of the sustainability initiative For community-based grant applications, preference will be given to initiatives undertaken by: 1. Start-up groups (less than two years in existence) and; 2.

Mature organizations if the initiative itself is new (less than one year in the making). _Please Note: Depending on the depth of each response, the full application should take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Applicants may submit and save or edit their responses upon completion of the application.

For questions, please send an email to Sustainable Maine Program Manager_ _Vanessa Berry at vberry@nrcm. org_ ? Take future action with a single click.

Name of School, Club, Organization, or Group Street Address (Optional) Email Home Phone (Optional) - [x] Remember me so that I can use _Fast_**Action** next time. **Grant Project Questions** Please answer the following questions and consider the criteria below. Projects that receive funding priority will: 1.

Tie into waste reduction, especially the reduction and elimination of single-use plastics, promote the switch to reusables, and/or divert food waste from the landfill or incinerator. 2. Create lasting and systemic change.

Activities will change a policy, system, or environment to foster sustainable behavior. Funding should not be used to: 1. Fund volunteer or staff time 2.

Reimburse past activities and costs For school applicants, please provide the number of students enrolled at this school. If grant funds will be used district-wide, provide the number of students within your school district. (Optional) Which of the following categories best describes your project?

(Please select all that apply)(Optional) **Which of the following categories best describes your project? (Please select all that apply) is required. ** - [x] Addressing Source Reduction and Reuse Challenges - [x] Addressing Recycling Challenges - [x] Addressing Food Waste Challenges - [x] Education and Outreach Campaigns - [x] Addressing Equity of Access to Sustainable Practices What is the goal of your sustainability project?

What is your desired level of funding (amounts up to $2,000)? * (Please enter the dollar amount without the $ in front of it) Describe how this funding will help your school and/or community reach its sustainability goals. Please provide an itemized list of materials needed and their costs.

In what ways has the school/organization established a foundation for this project to ensure its success? What has been accomplished so far? Will members of the community be involved in this project?

If you answered "yes" to either of the two questions above, please use this space to describe how community members and/or students will be involved. (Optional) Describe your timeline for the use of these funds. In what ways, if any, can NRCM provide additional support in this project?

(Optional) Please feel free to include any additional information you would like us to know as we review your application. (Optional) Where did you hear about this grant? (Optional) Your donation will be securely processed.

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