Community Building Grant Program

Geographic Scope: Statewide Maine (all 16 counties)

Purpose: This grant program supports projects and organizations focused on making communities stronger by investing in people, engaging communities in design and delivery, and strengthening community resources.

Funding Focus

The Community Building Grant Program is one of the only grant programs in Maine that supports a broad range of projects and organizations across the entire state, including:

• Arts
• Education
• Environment
• Economic development
• Human services

Types of Funding Available

General Support: Flexible funding for any type of work including new/expanding/ongoing programs and operational needs (including capital expenses). General support is awarded to an organization for any purpose, not a specific project.

Project Grants: Support for NEW projects within the first two years, including capital expenses. Total project budget cannot exceed $100,000.

Eligibility Requirements

For General Support:

• Organization must be located in Maine (have a Maine address)
• Most recent completed fiscal/financial year expenses BELOW $500,000
• NOT a municipality, government agency, public school, or faith-based organization
• Organization must meet the Community Building criteria (invest in people, engage communities, strengthen community resources)

For Project Grants:

• Organization must be located in Maine (have a Maine address)
• Most recent completed fiscal/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

Eligible Expenses (Project Grants Only)

• Project Budget may include up to 20% of total amount requested for administrative costs
• Administrative costs may cover overhead/operating expenses (rent, utilities, bookkeeping, etc.)
• Maximum administrative costs: $2,000 per $10,000 request or 20% of total, whichever is less

What They Don't Fund

• Activities or expenses occurring before June 1 (after award date)
• Endowments
• Annual appeals
• Scholarships

Application Process

1. All proposals reviewed by staff for eligibility
2. May be reviewed by subcommittee to narrow pool
3. Eligible proposals assigned to county advisor/staff member
4. Brief telephone call scheduled in late March or April
5. County committee collectively reviews and decides which proposals to fund
6. More than 130 volunteer advisors from all 16 counties serve on review committees

Review Criteria

Committees identify strongest proposals that:

• Meet program criteria
• Represent diverse sectors
• Represent diverse geography and populations
• Have greatest positive impact on strengthening communities

Geographic Consideration

Primary County Served: Applicants must indicate ONE county that will most directly benefit. This determines which committee reviews the proposal. If people in three or more counties will directly benefit, select the "statewide" committee option.

Timing: Community Building Grants can only support activities occurring AFTER the grant is awarded (usually by June 1).

Contact Information

• Staff contact available by county at: mainecf.org
• Main Office: 245 Main Street, Ellsworth, ME 04605-1613
• Portland Office: Two Monument Square, Suite 403, Portland, ME 04101
• Phone: 207-667-9735
• Fax (Ellsworth): 667-0447
• Fax (Portland): 761-2459

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
• Percentage of applicants receiving grants: Varies by county

How to Apply

Application Portal: MaineCF launched a new online grant application portal in July 2025.

Steps to Apply:

1. Access the online application portal
2. Create an account in the system
3. Complete the 2026 Application Questions and Guidance form
4. Submit application through portal

Required Materials

• 2026 Application Questions and Guidance (Microsoft Word version available for download with additional guidance in red)
• Information about your organization's work
• Details on how your organization meets the Community Building grant program criteria
• For general support: Focus on organization's work and how it meets criteria (not a specific project)
• For project grants: Detailed project information including budget

Application Timeline

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

Important Notes

• Strongly encouraged to download and use the Microsoft Word version of the 2026 Application Questions and Guidance
• Additional guidance available in red text (will not appear on online application)
• Webinar available on how to use the portal (recorded)
• Written instructions available for creating account and applying
• Program is highly competitive - read guidelines closely
• Verify proposal is completed correctly before submission