MCF: Hospice Fund Grant

The MCF: Hospice Fund, established by the Maine Community Foundation, aims to enhance hospice services in Cumberland and York counties. It provides grants to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and public agencies that support volunteer and bereavement programs. The fund prioritizes projects that raise awareness of hospice services and improve end-of-life care quality. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and other specified entities. Funding cannot be used for capital projects or activities outside the specified counties.

Background
For over 30 years, Hospice of Maine provided hospice volunteers and bereavement services to clinical hospice programs in southern Maine. Based on the changing environment and in an effort to strengthen and unify hospice services, in January 2006, the Board of Directors transferred Hospice of Maine’s direct service programs to VNA Home Health Care and Hospice of Southern Maine, which allowed these organizations to create and expand their full-service hospice programs. As part of this transition, Hospice of Maine decided to use its remaining assets to create this Hospice Fund in a manner consistent with the mission and philosophy of Hospice of Maine and the intention of its supporters.
The Hospice Fund supports hospice services, especially programs that support volunteer and bereavement services, in Cumberland and York counties.

Eligibility

To receive a grant, an organization or project must:

• Support hospice services in Cumberland and/or York county.Who is eligible to apply:

Nonprofit, charitable organizations tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and also classified as an organization described in sections 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2)
Public agencies working for the State of Maine
Indian tribal governments (or political subdivisions) recognized by the Department of the Interior
Groups without any tax status may apply with a fiscal sponsor that is an eligible organization as described above.This program provides:Capacity-building grants to support activities that will make hospice/bereavement organizations stronger, more efficient, or more effectiveProject support grants for new or expanding projects and ongoing programs.Indirect costs as an allowable expense.
When allowed, administrative overhead expenses of up to 20% of the total requested budget may be included.

Ineligibility

Funds may not be used for:

• Activities outside of Cumberland and York countiesCapital projects or endowments The fund is not intended to support general operationsExpenses already incurred
• Regranting to a secondary grantee through a competitive process
• Political campaigns
• Lobbying in the form of calls to action on a specific vote

Religious activities, including, but not limited to, religious services, promotion of religious beliefs, or activities that are restricted to church or religious group membership.