Deadline: 15-Sep-21
The Maine Community Foundation has launched its Grant Program.
Priorities
The Rines Thompson Fund focuses its funding on community-based organizations that contribute to the vibrancy of Greater Portland.
- Geographic area: Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Gorham, Portland, Scarborough, South Portland, Yarmouth, and Westbrook
- Issue areas: Environment and conservation, early childhood and youth programming, and arts and culture
- Collaboration: For appropriate projects and programs, collaboration between and among organizations is encouraged. A letter from the executive director of each collaborating organization is required and should clearly explain the level of involvement and responsibility. For organizations partnering with schools, a letter of agreement from the participating school official is required.
Types of Support
The Rines Thompson Fund will consider the following:
- New or Expanded Projects or Programs: Organizations may request support to develop and implement new programs or for the expansion of an existing program that is proven to be successful at meeting its stated objectives. Capital projects are generally not supported.
- Improve Organizational Effectiveness: Organizations may request support for activities focused on strengthening their operations or strategic focus, or improving program effectiveness in specific areas. Examples include long-range planning, use of technology to improve program delivery or operations, and board development.
- Operating Support: Organizations may request support for overhead and administrative costs that are a normal part of its mission. The organization should have a strong track record of performance and applicants must explain the organization’s effectiveness in carrying out its mission.
Funding Information
- Average award: $5,500
- Maximum award: $10,000
Ineligible Funding
- Educational institutions (K-12 public and private, higher education) and municipalities
- Requests from organizations that are outside the priority areas listed above
- Expenses that have already been incurred
- Capital campaigns or endowments and other activities designed to increase the capital or assets of an organization
- Scholarships and camperships
- In order to have greater impact per request, organizations that received a grant are discouraged from submitting a request to the Rines/Thompson Fund the following year.
Eligibility Criteria
- 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)
- Municipalities
- Public schools
- Public agencies working for the State of Maine
- Indian tribal governments (or political subdivisions) recognized by the Department of the Interior
- Groups without any tax status may apply with a fiscal sponsor that is an eligible organization as described above.
- Any eligible organization may submit one application per grant program, regardless of previous application history or current award progress.
For more information, visit https://www.mainecf.org/apply-for-a-grant/available-grants-deadlines/rines-thompson-fund/