Community Building Grant Program

Community Building Grant Program

Funder: Maine Community Foundation
Geographic Scope: Statewide Maine
Maximum Award: $10,000
Status: Active and accepting applications

Purpose

Supports projects and organizations focused on making communities stronger across Maine. This is MaineCF's largest grant program, receiving over 600 applications annually.

Focus Areas

The program supports a broad range of projects and organizations across multiple sectors:
• Arts
• Education
• Environment
• Economic development
• Human services

Funding Criteria

All proposals must:
• Invest in people by increasing skills/abilities, knowledge, and/or well-being
• Engage the people served in the design, delivery, and/or evaluation of the work
• Strengthen community resources including organizations, partnerships, and built and natural environments

Types of Funding

#### General Support
For flexible funding of any type including:

New/expanding/ongoing programs

Operational needs

Capital expenses

Eligibility for General Support:

Organization must be located in Maine (have a Maine address)

Most recent completed fiscal or financial year expenses BELOW $500,000

NOT a municipality, government agency, public school, or faith-based organization

#### Project Grants
For NEW projects within the first two years (including capital expenses)

Eligibility for Project Grants:

Organization must be located in Maine (have a Maine address)

Most recent completed fiscal or financial year expenses AT or ABOVE $500,000

Municipalities, government agencies, public schools, or faith-based organizations may apply regardless of expenses

Total project budget does not exceed $100,000

Project expenses DO NOT include endowments, annual appeals, or scholarships

Administrative costs up to 20% of total amount requested (maximum $2,000 of a $10,000 request)

2025 Cycle Statistics

• Applications received: 716
• Amount requested: $6,815,477
• Number of grants awarded: 271
• Grant dollars awarded: $2,408,808
• Additional grants by donors: $372,850

Application Timeline

• Application Opens: November 17
• Deadline: February 17, 11:59 p.m.
• Notification: By June 1

Key Requirements

• Applicants must choose ONE county that will most directly benefit from funding
• If people in three or more counties will benefit, applicants may choose "statewide" option
• Projects/activities must occur after the grant has been awarded (usually by June 1)
• Requests for support for activities or expenses occurring before June 1 will be declined

Review Process

• All proposals reviewed by staff for eligibility
• Depending on volume, subcommittee may review proposals and decline those not closely matching criteria
• Eligible proposals assigned to county advisor or staff member for brief telephone call (late March or April)
• County committees collectively review and decide which proposals to fund
• More than 130 volunteer advisors from all 16 counties serve on review committees
• Committees identify strongest proposals that meet criteria and represent diverse sectors, geography, and populations

Contact

Staff contacts available by county. MaineCF staff members manage the program and can answer questions.

Additional Resources

• Webinar recording available on program changes
• Microsoft Word version of 2026 Application Questions and Guidance (with additional red guidance text)
• FAQ document available
• Recent grants viewable from last three years

Contact Information:

Phone: 207-667-9735

Address: 245 Main Street, Ellsworth, ME 04605-1613 or Two Monument Square, Suite 403, Portland, ME 04101