Frances Hollis Brain Foundation Fund Grant

The Frances Hollis Brain Foundation Fund Grant, managed by the Maine Community Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations addressing the needs of vulnerable communities in Maine. It prioritizes projects focused on education, health care, and food security, particularly those benefiting early childhood education. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public schools, and tribal governments. The fund emphasizes community support and effectiveness, while excluding political activities and prior expenses from funding consideration.

Background
David and Frances Brain established the Frances Hollis Brain Foundation in 1993 as a tangible expression of their values. Through their foundation, they sought with their family to address their social concerns and encourage future generations of the family to contribute to the well-being of their communities in Maine, Georgia, and Kentucky. In 2017 they turned to the Maine Community Foundation to manage their grantmaking in Maine.
Purpose
The Frances Hollis Brain Foundation Fund supports nonprofit organizations and projects that serve disadvantaged, underserved, and/or vulnerable communities in Auburn, Bath, Biddeford, Brunswick, Greater Portland, Lewiston, Saco, and/or Sanford.
Issue Areas
Consideration will be given to organizations or projects that focus on one of the following:
EducationEarly childhood care and educationPreK to 2nd grade reading or math readinessKindergarten to 12th grade extended-day learning (after-school and summer learning programs)Health careCommunity clinics and safety net providersOral health initiativesHunger prevention and food securityHomelessness alleviationLegal services connected with the above areas

Eligibility

Who is eligible to apply:Nonprofit 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.Groups without any tax status may apply with a fiscal sponsor that is an eligible organization as described above.Geographic Area: Lewiston/Auburn, Biddeford/Saco, Sanford, Brunswick, Bath, Greater Portland:

Ineligibility

What we will not fund, without exception:Expenses 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 membershipFunds may not be used for:Annual appeals
Endowments
Tickets to charitable eventsThe fund typically does not support grant proposals that require a multi-year commitment.The fund will not award a grant to the same organization in two consecutive years.Organizations that have received a prior grant from the fund are not eligible to submit a new application until the fund has received a written report on the results of previous grant awards.