Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund Grant

Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Maine Community Foundation
Amount: Up to US $10,000
Last Updated: September 08, 2025

Summary

The Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund Grant supports early childhood and youth leadership initiatives in Greater Portland. It emphasizes the crucial involvement of parents and educators in preparing children for school and fostering youth leadership. Eligible organizations must focus on children aged birth to eight or youth leadership through high school. The fund offers general support and project grants, excluding funding for prior expenses, endowments, or political activities.

Overview

Purpose The Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund grant program supports early childhood and youth leadership programs in Greater Portland. The directors of the fund recognize the critical roles parents and early childhood education providers play to ensure a child’s readiness to enter school on a path to success and the importance of youth leadership programs that help develop aspirations and abilities of our youth. To receive a grant, an organization or project must be based in the Greater Portland area and focus on one of the following: Young children aged birth to eight, their families and teachersYouth leadership for students through high school. Types of funding This program provides: General support grants for ongoing programming and operational needs (organization mission must be focused on one of the two areas above)Project grants for new or expanding early childhood or youth leadership-based projects or programs.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Who is eligible to applyNonprofit 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt organizations, including most municipalitiesPublic schoolsPublic agencies working for the State of MaineIndian tribal governments (or political subdivisions) recognized by the Department of the InteriorNon-exempt groups with a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3) organization, public school, or public agency.

Ineligibility

Grants cannot pay for program expenses that have already been incurredGrants will not be made to annual funds or endowmentsOrganizations that have received Daveis Fund grants in two consecutive years are requested to wait a year before applying again.Types of fundingOperating support: ongoing administrative costs such as rent, utilities, office supplies, salaries (not tied to a specific project expense).Ongoing activities: continuing programs or projects that have no clear end date.Endowments or capital campaigns: activities leading up to a capital campaign such as feasibility studies as well as costs related to verbal or written requests for financial support such as fundraising events or appeal letters.Camp scholarships: funding for admission, enrollment, tuition, or other costs related to individual or group attendance at a short-term recreational or educational program.Capital expenses: purchases of property, equipment, or building materials related to the organization’s core operations.What we will not fund, without exceptionExpenses already incurredPolitical campaignsLobbying in the form of calls to action on a specific voteReligious activities: including, but not limited to, religious services, promotion of religious beliefs, or activities that are restricted to church or religious group membership