MaineCF grants available to Kennebec County nonprofits

PORTLAND & ELLSWORTH —Nonprofit organizations in Kennebec County may be eligible for grants from the Maine Community Foundation’s Community Building Grant Program.

The program invests in local projects and organizations that help build strong communities. In 2023, eight Kennebec County nonprofit organizations were awarded grants totaling $68,470. A donor with an advised fund at MaineCF awarded one additional grant totaling $5,000, according to a news release from Taylor Mace with the foundation.

The Community Building Grant Program supports projects and organizations that invest in people, engage with the people served, and strengthen community resources. Applicants must identify how the organization or project invests in people’s skills, knowledge and/or well-being. They will also be asked to explain how they engage the people served in the design, delivery and/or evaluation of the work. The grantmaking committees are also interested to learn which community resources are being strengthened.

Last year’s grantees included:

• Children’s Discovery Museum, to ignite curiosity and celebrate learning through hands-on programs and interactive play spaces;
• Maine Resilience Building Network, to develop a coalition of Gardiner-area community members to develop locally driven solutions for youth; and
• New England Music Camp Association, for musical instruction to vulnerable teens through a Learn to Own program.

For a full list of grants by county, visit mainecf.org.

The Community Building Grant Program is MaineCF’s largest grant program. It is one of the only grant programs in the state that supports a broad range of interest areas, including arts, education, environment, economic development and human services.

The grant program offers two types of funding: project grants and general support. Project grants are only available to larger organizations for new projects. General support grants are geared towards smaller organizations and this flexible funding may support new, expanding or ongoing programs as well as operational needs.

Learn more at mainecf.org.