Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust Grant

Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust
Amount: Up to US $20,000
Last Updated: August 10, 2025

Summary

The Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust, established in 1988, focuses on enhancing community connections through arts, culture, and environmental initiatives in Maine. The Trust supports projects that foster creative expression, promote historic preservation, and encourage environmental stewardship. Grant applicants can seek up to $20,000 for operating support or specific projects that align with these priorities. The Foundation emphasizes equitable access and community representation in its funding decisions.

Overview

Background The Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust was established in 1988 by Joan Morton Kelly and her mother, Mildred Duncan Morton, to facilitate their philanthropic activities. Foundation Program Areas The overarching interest of the Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust is to connect people and place through the arts, culture and the natural environment in Maine. Program Areas reflect how communities, organizations and individuals can cultivate creative expression and a sense of responsibility towards one another and to the lands and waters around us. Proposals may be for operating support or specific projects and may be of local or statewide benefit. Across all programs, community connection is paramount. Program Areas of interest to the Trust are Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation and Environmental Initiatives. Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation The Trust is interested in community arts and cultural programs, cultural facility improvements, historic preservation projects and celebration of the diverse cultural heritage of Maine. Arts and culture programs and organizations help foster vibrant communities, creative expression, inspiration and build community connections. Community cultural centers and preservation of historic sites and resources can enhance downtown and community revitalization efforts and be a cornerstone of community arts and cultural life. The Trust is also interested in programs that expand cross-cultural understanding of the unique and layered histories of Maine and contemporary expressions of culture and heritage. The Trust’s Arts and Culture Program Area welcomes operating support or project proposals that meet any of the following goals: Access to the arts, creative expression and community cultural programsPriorities include:Access to arts experiences of all kinds, arts education for all ages, and performances and programs that serve Maine communities and residents.Visual and performing arts programs in Maine museums, public libraries, historical societies and other cultural organizations.Both urban and rural programs that reflect local needs and bring community members together, including lectures, exhibits and special events.Projects and programs that serve diverse populations and cultural experiences including Black, Indigenous and people of color in Maine.Facility improvements for community cultural centers and historic preservation projects that contribute to community vitalityCultural facility improvement priorities include:Structural, health, safety, public access or energy efficiency improvements.Technology upgrades and other renovation needs.Small venues in rural or underserved areas where few other resources are available, and which contribute to community revitalization.Historic preservation projects that contribute to community vitalityPriorities include:The restoration and conservation of significant historic structures such as those listed on the National Register, or have documented importance through Tribal Historic Preservation Departments or are a known community landmark. The Trust will support structural improvements and building systems (such as electrical service) rather than maintenance, painting or short-term repairs.Preservation projects may also include restoration of significant material cultural resources.Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide a letter indicating that the Maine Historic Preservation Commission or appropriate Tribal Historic Preservation Office is aware of the project, and that work is being conducted to appropriate preservation standards.Celebrate the diverse cultural heritage and multiple histories of MainePriorities include:Programs that build community connection, celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of Maine communities and elevate the unique experiences of Black, Indigenous and other under-represented groups.Efforts that build bridges within communities to elevate cultural histories of place, expand awareness, cultural connection and share learning. Environmental Initiatives The Trust is interested in environmental initiatives that protect ecological values, water quality and ecosystem health through land conservation, stewardship, education and research programs. The Trust is interested in supporting organizations that promote positive relationships with nature including scientific, ecological and cultural perspectives. The Trust is also interested in expanded efforts to conserve culturally significant lands for Wabanaki communities. The Trust’s Environmental Initiatives Program Area welcomes proposals for operating support or projects that meet any of the following goals or related priorities: Provide equitable access to outdoor experiences and nature-based education Priorities include:Programs that offer outdoor experiences and nature-based education for youth and community members to inspire care and responsibility for the environment.Programs that provide safe, inclusive spaces for youth and others to develop appreciation for nature, science and the social and cultural dimensions of land and place.Programs that benefit BIPOC and underserved communities.Enhance environmental stewardship.Priorities include:Support of the growing stewardship responsibilities of conservation groups in light of development pressures, climate change and greater public use of conserved lands and waters.Support of staffing, programs and partnerships for stewardship, education and community engagement.Advance new approaches for land conservationPriorities include:Partnerships, tools and relationships for conservation that emphasize equity and inclusion.Land conservation that protects biodiversity or provides access to lands and waters for recreation, education and restoration. Organizations requesting funding for land acquisitions should include a funding plan for the project.Building capacity for the protection, stewardship and management of culturally significant lands for Wabanaki lifeways and culture.Promote restoration and improvement of water quality in coastal and inlandwatershedsPriorities include:Applied science and research for the restoration and management of ecosystems, especially the coastal and inland waters of Maine.Relevant research and education for water quality and habitat improvement.Addressing climate change impacts on coastal and aquatic resources.Initiatives that use science, policy and community engagement to improve and restore natural resources and ecosystems. Funding Up to $20,000 in grant funding may be requested.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust supports organizations throughout Maine and aims to respond to emerging needs and developments through its priority Program Areas.Types of Grants:Applicants may request project or operating support. Operating support requests should provide information on the organization’s current strategic direction or priorities. Project grants should articulate clear goals, timelines and outcomes for the project.  Projects may be for specific programs or capital expenses and may align with more than one of our Program Areas or goals.For capital funding requests, applicants should include a budget for the project and evidence of the fiscal and fundraising capacity necessary to complete the proposed work beyond the amount of the Morton-Kelly grant request.Organizations may apply even if they have received consecutive funding in the last 2 years. Beginning next year, a one-year year hiatus will be required after two consecutive grants.

Ineligibility

We do not fund:multi-year requestsendowments or annual campaignspolitical advocacynational or regional organizations based outside of Maine, except in cases where a project is being conducted entirely within the state;organizations that provide medical services, operate medical research facilities or focus on a particular disease or condition; ororganizations that are primarily social service providers.