Land for Communities (L4C) Grant - Land-based Projects

The Land for Communities (L4C) Grant, established by the Maine Community Foundation, supports community land projects that enhance relationships to land for underserved populations in Maine. With funding options up to $50,000 for land acquisition and $25,000 for other land-based projects, the grant aims to empower communities by expanding access and promoting stewardship. This initiative prioritizes projects that engage local populations and focus on land return and community agriculture.

The Land for Communities (L4C) grant program supports community land projects that increase relationships to land for underserved geographies and populations in Maine.
Types of Funding
Project support for land acquisition:
Up to a maximum of $50,000 towards the purchase of land that meets the criteria above. Project costs may include purchase price, closing costs, legal support, survey, appraisal or value assessments, lease agreements, right-of-way agreements, and/or stewardship funds.
Project support for land-based projects:
Up to a maximum of $25,000 for land-based projects that meet the criteria above that are not acquisition related. Land-based project costs may include, but are not limited to, infrastructure, convenings, technical support programs, stewardship needs, and/or staff time dedicated to the project.
Project support may include administrative overhead, up to 20% of the requested funding.

Eligibility

Your project must:
Be located in MaineExpand access for an underserved geography or populationFocus on land for community use, specifically one or both of the following:Land return (Land back to Wabanaki Nations or Wabanaki-led organizations, restoring Wabanaki stewardship of lands and waters)Land for food (Hunting, fishing, wild harvesting, working farms, community agriculture, working waterfront, community fisheries)Engage the people served in the design, delivery, evaluation, and/or leadership (board or staff) of the work