Direct Services Grant Program

Direct Services Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: John T Gorman Foundation
Amount: Up to US $30,000
Last Updated: February 03, 2026

Summary

The Direct Services Grant Program, initiated by the John T. Gorman Foundation, aims to support organizations addressing the basic needs of vulnerable Maine residents, including hunger, housing, and crisis support. This grant prioritizes initiatives that strengthen families and empower communities, ensuring that essential services are accessible. The Foundation seeks to bolster educational achievements for young children, aid successful transitions for older youth, and support low-income families and seniors, ultimately fostering a thriving community in Maine.

Overview

Our Mission The John T. Gorman Foundation advances ideas and opportunities that can improve the lives of disadvantaged people in Maine. To achieve the greatest impact, the Foundation has a special interest in strengthening families and helping communities provide them with the supports and opportunities they need to thrive. This focus on strengthening families reflects our founder, Tom Gorman's recognition that his personal success and achievement were largely derived from the support provided to him by his family and community, as well as his desire to provide those less fortunate with opportunities to succeed. Our Priorities The John T. Gorman Foundation is focused on improving educational achievement for young children; promoting successful transitions to adulthood for vulnerable older youth; helping struggling parents support their families and enabling low-income seniors to age in place. Research shows that successfully achieving these key objectives predicts future success. If they are not achieved, the consequences can be dire for current and subsequent generations. Direct Services Grant Program The Direct Service Grant Program supports organizations that are addressing the basic needs of vulnerable Mainers such as hunger, housing, and crisis support. The Direct Service Grant Program is meant to support organizations that are addressing the basic needs of vulnerable Mainers such as hunger, housing, and crisis support.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. To apply, organizations will need to additionally meet the following criteria:Be a non-profit with 501(c)(3) status or have a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) status.Have a mission that includes helping low-income, underprivileged residents of Maine;Be able to demonstrate, through data, that their proposed efforts are addressing an unmet need;Be able to demonstrate a track record of successfully meeting those needs; andFor program/project funding requests, be able to identify the results sought for the populations in question, the plan for achieving those results, and how they will be evaluated. The Foundation will support: Existing programsGeneral operating supportOne-time only grants spent over a twelve-month period

Ineligibility

Applicants cannot be a private foundation under I.R.C. § 509-(a)The Foundation will NOT support:New programs or new positions unless there is guaranteed funding beyond 12 monthsCapital campaignsAnnual fund appealsEndowmentsProjects requiring a multi-year commitment