River Rock Shared Future Fund Grant

Purpose
The River Rock Shared Future Fund’s long-term goal is achieving greater racial equity by increasing economic opportunities, education levels and health and wellness in communities of color in Maine.
Types of Funding
Two-year general support grants for flexible funding of any type such as new/expanding/ongoing programs and operational needs including capital expenses. Your organization’s primary work must meet the River Rock Shared Future Fund criteria listed below.
Multi-year grantees will be selected every two years.

Eligibility

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) Your organization must: Be located in Maine, defined as your organization has a Maine addressHave offered at least two or more programs in the last year focused on improving economic, educational, or health outcomes and/or community well-being for underserved geographic areas or populations in Maine. “Underserved” is defined as communities with lower incomes, less access to financial institutions, lower graduation rates, lower literacy levels, and poor health outcomes.Engage the people served in the design, delivery, evaluation, and/or leadership (board or staff) of the workAdvance the River Rock Shared Future Fund’s purpose by focusing on one or more of the following areas: Economic Opportunity: improving economic well-being for low-income populations or geographic areas.For example: accessing employment opportunities, career development, workforce training, financial literacy, working towards a collective economy.Education: improving educational outcomes for underserved student populations or geographic areas.For example: tutoring, mentoring, increasing social emotional tools, support for lifelong learning.Health: increasing access to healthcare or improving health for populations and geographic areas experiencing health disparities in Maine. (These grants are made possible thanks to support from the Maine Health Access Foundation.)For example: direct access to physical and mental healthcare, educational outreach, healthcare navigation, substance use prevention, trauma-informed programming.Community: supporting social connections, belonging, and thriving in underserved Maine communities.For example: community gathering spaces, civic and community engagement, cultural expression and healing, networks.

Ineligibility

Municipalities, K-12 public/private schools, higher education institutions, and faith-based organizations are not eligible to apply for this grant program.