Sam L. Cohen Foundation Grant

The Sam L. Cohen Foundation provides grants to support arts, culture, education, civic engagement, health services, and Jewish cultural initiatives in Maine. The foundation prioritizes organizations that serve underserved populations and promote community engagement. They fund projects up to $50,000, with an average grant size under $15,000. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and other tax-exempt organizations serving Cumberland and York Counties. The foundation seeks to foster creativity, improve quality of life, and enhance educational opportunities.

NOTE: We welcome the opportunity to discuss your project or answer questions prior to submitting an initial inquiry, especially if you are a first-time applicant.
Program Areas
Cohen Foundation is a private, grantmaking foundation
Education
Our grantmaking spans the entire continuum of pre-K through college and adulthood, as we focus on providing opportunities for underserved populations in the areas of youth development, leadership, and enrichment.
Funding
Cohen Foundation will consider responsive grant requests for amounts up to $50,000; however, the average grants size awarded is less than $15,000.

Eligibility

Applicants:Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; using a fiscal agent that is a
501(c)(3) nonprofit; a church, synagogue, temple or mosque; or a
political subdivision of the State of Maine that is exempt from federal
taxMust be located in or primarily benefitting residents living in
Cumberland and/or York Counties, Maine; or effecting people throughout
MaineMust have submitted the final grant report if you received a grant previously from the FoundationMust not have received a grant from the Foundation in the previous calendar yearThe Foundation will support new programs, on-going programs, general operations in certain circumstances, and capital improvements.The Foundation will support general operations to organizations whose overall mission aligns with the Foundation's values.

Ineligibility

The Foundation will not support:The Foundation supports access to sexual and reproductive health information and services and, as a result, we do not support programs that limit access to these services.The Foundation does not support programs that conflict with the organizational values stated above.In general, the Foundation will not support annual fund appeals, endowments, and projects requiring a multi-year commitment. Typically grants will not be awarded to the same organization in two consecutive years. Organizations that have received a prior grant from the Foundation are not eligible to submit another application until the Foundation directors have received a written report of the results of previously funded projects.