Deadline: 1-Sep-22
The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation has launched the applications for Rapid Response Fund to support emergency and/or time-sensitive needs of organizations and communities whose work aligns with the Sewall Foundation’s mission: to support work in Maine to improve the well-being of people, animals and the environment while fostering relationships that strive for social equity and community resilience.
The Rapid Response Fund has limited resources and is a competitive grant program – meaning they compare funding requests and makes awards based upon closest alignment with the Fund priorities.
Priorities
- In keeping with Sewall’s values and commitment to fostering equity and centering community voice, Rapid Response Fund grants are generally limited to:
- Organizations led by and serving people in under-resourced populations and geographies, including: African Americans, Indigenous, and people of color; immigrants and refugees; LGBTQ; people with low incomes; differently-abled populations; incarcerated populations; people in recovery; and populations who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
- Additional priorities include:
- Organizations, networks, or grassroots efforts working to coordinate or mobilize response/action for their field or sector, a geographic region, or a specific community or population
- Collaborative and cross-sector efforts
- Efforts that are explicit in their commitment to social and environmental justice
- Efforts that integrate the well-being of people, animals and the environment
Funding Information
- Available Funding: In 2022, the total amount of the Rapid Response Fund is $300,000. $100,000 will be available for each grant round.
- Community-based organizations with operating budgets under $250,000.
- Grant Size: Most Rapid Response Fund grants will be no greater than $10,000.
- Grant Term: All Rapid Response Fund grants are limited to a 12 month term.
Rapid Response Fund grants do not support
- Ongoing operations, programs, or activities
- Requests to replace existing sources of funding
- Sponsorship of events for organizational promotion
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be eligible to receive tax-deductible donations as outlined in Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. This includes: 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt organizations; public schools; public agencies working for the State of Maine; Indian tribal governments (and their political subdivisions) recognized by the Department of the Interior
- Applicants may also apply through a fiscal sponsor
- The work of the applicant must be aligned with the mission and values of the Sewall Foundation
- Eligible organizations may apply regardless of their funding history with the Sewall Foundation
- Sewall Foundation does not fund: direct or grassroots lobbying or political campaign activities
For more information, visit https://www.sewallfoundation.org/rapid-response-fund
