The Very Basics Fund
Funding Amount
Up to $5,000 per grant
Deadline
April 30, 2027
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Twice a year
- Current deadline
- April 30, 2027
- Tracked since
- April 2026
Deadlines each year: April 30 · October 31
From the program guidelines: “Applications due April 30 and October 31 each year”
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Eligible organizations
- Other charitable organizations able to receive tax-deductible contributions
- Schools
Geography
- Faith-based organizations
Required status
- 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Other requirements
- Other public entities
- 501(c)4, 501(c)5, and 501(c)6 organizations
Overview
Program Type: Grant program for under-resourced non-profit organizations serving populations in need
Geographic Scope: Greater Franklin County, Livermore, and Livermore Falls, Maine
Purpose: Support non-profit organizations serving populations in need who are under-resourced to meet growing service demands
Eligible Applicants:
- Non-profit organizations (501(c)3 organizations)
- Other charitable organizations able to receive tax-deductible contributions
- Schools
- Faith-based organizations
- Other public entities
- 501(c)4, 501(c)5, and 501(c)6 organizations
Award Limitations:
- Maximum request: $5,000 per grant
- Applications due April 30 and October 31 each year
Application Materials:
- Very Basics Fund Policy
- Very Basics Fund Recipients list
- Very Basics Fund Application form
- Very Basics Fund Six-Month Report Form (required after receiving funds)
How to Apply
Application Process
- Complete the Very Basics Fund Application form
- Submit by the deadline
- Recipient organizations must submit a Six-Month Report Form
Application Deadlines:
- April 30 (for spring/early summer funding consideration)
- October 31 (for fall/winter funding consideration)
Maximum Request: $5,000 per application
Required Follow-up: Six-Month Report Form must be submitted by funded organizations
What United Way of Tri Vally Area actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2021 — the most recent filing with itemized grants
United Way of Tri Vally Area reported $29K in grants for 2024 as a total without an itemized list; the grant details below are from 2021, its most recent itemized filing.
- Grants in 2021
- 13
- Total given
- $77K
- Median grant
- $4,500
- Range
- $3,000–$12K
- By dollars: Maine 100%. Top recipient cities: Farmington, ME; Lewiston, ME; Auburn, ME.
Example grants
Literacy Volunteers · Farmington, ME
$12K
Franklin Cty Childrens Task Force · Farmington, ME
$9,200
Western Maine Community Action · East Wilton, ME
$8,800
Seniors Plus · Lewiston, ME
$8,000
Safe Voices · Auburn, ME
$6,500
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Nonprofits
- Capacity building
Categories
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