Davis Family Foundation Grants

The Davis Family Foundation, established in Maine, focuses on granting support to educational, medical, and cultural/arts organizations. With over $63.5 million awarded since 1986, the foundation emphasizes innovative projects that make a significant impact on Maine communities. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt and align with the foundation's priorities, ensuring projects enhance educational outcomes or address medical issues effectively. The foundation seeks unique projects that engage the community and preserve Maine's cultural heritage.

Their overriding goal for the Foundation was simple and straightforward: “to make grants where they will do the most good and where our gifts make a real difference.” The Foundation has provided more than $63.5 million in grants since its grantmaking activities began in 1986.
Involve educators in both design and execution
Strive to make a meaningful impact:Transforming the learning experience or post-academic outlook for specific learners
Medical projects
Ideal medical projects:
Solve systemic medical issues through programs or initiatives backed by evidence. The project should be scalable, replicable and ultimately sustainable independent of grant funding
Cultural/Arts projects
The Foundation seeks Cultural/Arts Projects that will create an engaging and/or informative cultural/arts experience for Maine community members, or preserve important cultural and historic elements of Maine in a manner that reflects best practice.
Ideal cultural/arts projects:

• Are unique and not ongoing
• Increase/expand access to year-round residents of Maine
• Support an organization's strategic goals as defined in a strategic planInclude multiple funding sources

Eligibility

Eligible Organizations must be:Tax Exempt: 501(c)(3) with 509(a)(1) or (2) status.
Aligned with Davis Family Foundation's Giving AreasLocated in a Geographic Priority Area (listed in order of priority): Southern Maine, other parts of Maine, New England (project must impact Maine learners), Outside of New England (100% of project must impact Maine learners)Educational: Colleges, universities, and other accredited educational institutions are encouraged to apply. Trustees will also consider requests from other educational organizations whose purpose is to improve academic outcomes for Maine students, provided that they meet some or all of these four criteria:The organization works directly with schools.
The organization has certified teachers on staff or offers programming approved by certified teachers.
The organization has a formal curriculum with educational goals that connect to Maine standards.
The organization enhances learning by offering credit or certification.Medical Organizations: Hospitals, clinics and medical research organizations are encouraged to apply. Trustees will also consider requests from other health organizations for programs designed to increase the effectiveness of medical care.Cultural/Arts Organizations: Organizations whose customary and primary activity is to promote music, theater, drama, history, literature, the arts or other similar cultural activities.
Fiscal Sponsorships: Additional information is required at the time of application. Please contact our team to begin this process early.Returning organizations should confirm:At least 24 months have passed since your last approved grantAt least 36 months have passed since the last approved grant for a Cultural/Arts applicant
You have submitted a completion report for your last grantAll governmental entities should contact staff to confirm eligibility before applying.

Ineligibility

Ineligible governmental entities: Cities, Towns, Public schools/RSUsThe Foundation is Unable to FundOrganizations with a project that aligns with the Foundation, but whose organizational primary mission does not fall within a primary funding category
Public elementary and secondary schools
Charter schools, although requests for startup funds are eligible
Youth organizations with no academic or medical mission
Schools which receive financial support from a church or other religious organization
Health/Medical organizations with no licensed clinician
Organizations outside of New England, unless the project is 100% Maine based
509(a)(3) organizationsDiscouraged project expenses:General operating requestsAny inclusion of overhead including general administration, rent, and any ongoing salary of positions that would exist regardless of this proposal. All costs should be project-specific.Budgets that reflect the request is similar/repetitive to past requests
Scholarships
EndowmentsProhibited expenses (application will be declined):Religious programs/projects