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Maine Community Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$59.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
50%

Maine Community Foundation Inc - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $58,980,423 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $530 million
  • Success Rate: 50% (Community Building Grant Program)
  • Decision Time: 10-12 weeks
  • Grant Range: $500 - $50,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Statewide Maine (all 16 counties)

Contact Details

Main Office:
245 Main Street
Ellsworth, ME 04605

Phone: 207-667-9735
Website: www.mainecf.org
Grant Application Portal: mainecf-grants.smapply.io

For Grant Questions:
Contact Community Impact team via website or main phone number

Overview

Founded as Maine's largest community foundation, the Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF) brings people and resources together to build a better Maine. With total assets under management of approximately $530 million and annual grantmaking of nearly $59 million in 2023, MaineCF operates through offices in Ellsworth, Portland, Dover-Foxcroft, Rockport, and Mars Hill. The foundation manages more than 275 nonprofit agency funds totaling nearly $150 million in charitable assets. MaineCF's grantmaking philosophy is based on John McKnight's assets-based model of community building, focusing on grants that build on community strengths, take a preventative approach to problems, and support leadership development. President and CEO Deborah Ellwood, who was appointed to the Maine Climate Council in 2023, leads the organization with a commitment to serve all of Maine, demonstrate respect for people and places, achieve quality and integrity, and remain non-partisan.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

MaineCF offers more than 20 competitive grant programs with established annual deadlines. Key programs include:

  • Community Building Grant Program (largest program): $500 - $10,000

    • Awarded $2.4 million in 2024 across all 16 counties
    • Receives 400+ applications annually, awards 200+ grants (50% success rate)
    • Supports arts, education, environment, economic development, and human services
    • Rolling deadlines that vary by county
    • Provides both general support and project grants

  • Maine Women's Fund: Up to $15,000 per year

    • Accepts applications biennially (2025, 2027)

  • Land for Communities: Up to $50,000

    • Supports community land acquisition projects

  • Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Fund: Varying amounts

    • Spring cycle reopens December 15 for new applications

  • Organizational Capacity Building: $10,000 - $20,000

  • Small Grants Program: $1 - $10,000

Priority Areas

MaineCF funds projects across all interest areas including:

  • Arts and culture
  • Education and literacy
  • Environment and conservation
  • Community development
  • Human services and food security
  • Mental health and substance use disorder support
  • Historic preservation
  • Youth development
  • Immigrant and BIPOC community support
  • Childcare and early education

What They Don't Fund

  • Expenses already incurred (grants only support future expenses)
  • Regranting through competitive processes to secondary recipients
  • Political campaigns
  • Lobbying in the form of calls to action on a specific vote
  • Religious activities, including religious services, promotion of religious beliefs, or activities restricted to church or religious group membership
  • Payment of pledges or other legal obligations

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

  • Deborah Ellwood, President and CEO - Leading the foundation with a commitment to serve all of Maine; appointed to Maine Climate Council in 2023

Senior Leadership Team:

  • Michelle Rogers, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
  • Laura K. Lee, Vice President, Community Impact
  • Tom Janenda, Vice President, Communications and Marketing
  • Becka Yturregui, Vice President, Donor Engagement
  • Bree Arsenault, Vice President, Philanthropy
  • Elena Sulima, Senior Director of Finance
  • Michele Camarco, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer - recently received Alpha Gamma Delta's The Talent of Leadership Award

The foundation employs approximately 48-50 staff members across offices in Ellsworth, Portland, and other Maine locations.

Quote from community partner Dick Trafton on leadership: "Leadership attracts strength to an organization. How you run a meeting, how you involve members of the board or committee, and listen and encourage them to take an active role—that process of engagement helps strengthen the organization."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Access Online Application: Click the "Apply" button at mainecf-grants.smapply.io
  2. Timeline: Online applications open approximately 3 months before program deadlines
  3. Work at Your Pace: Save your work and exit at any time during the application process
  4. One Application Per Program: Each organization may submit one application per grant program, regardless of previous application history
  5. Deadlines: Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the deadline date (no late applications accepted)
  6. Weekend/Holiday Deadlines: If deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the nearest business day

Required Materials:

  • Completed online application form
  • Board member list with towns and occupations
  • Partnership/collaboration letters when applicable
  • Only submit requested materials (additional materials will not be reviewed)

Decision Timeline

  • Review Period: 10-12 weeks from application deadline
  • Review Process: Program staff reviews each proposal for eligibility, then assigns to volunteer community reviewers
  • Notification: Award decisions sent via email
  • Grant Timing: For Community Building Grants, projects must occur after June 1 (requests for activities before June 1 will be declined)

Success Rates

Community Building Grant Program: 50% success rate (400+ applications, 200+ grants awarded annually)

This represents a notably high success rate for competitive grants, making it one of the foundation's most accessible programs. Success rates for other specialized programs vary and are not publicly disclosed. In 2024, MaineCF made 1,119 total grants across all programs.

Reapplication Policy

Open Reapplication: Any eligible organization may submit one application per grant program, regardless of previous application history or current award progress. There are no waiting periods or restrictions preventing unsuccessful applicants from reapplying to the same or different programs in future cycles.

Application Success Factors

Eligibility Specifics:

  • Must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations classified under sections 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2)
  • Municipalities and public schools eligible
  • Public agencies serving Maine eligible
  • Federally recognized Indian tribal governments eligible
  • Unincorporated groups may apply with an eligible fiscal sponsor

Critical Success Factors:

  1. Community-Centered Approach: MaineCF's philosophy is based on assets-based community building. Successful applications demonstrate how projects build on existing community strengths rather than focusing solely on deficits.

  2. Leadership Development: Applications that show how the project supports leadership development within the community align with MaineCF's core values.

  3. Preventative Approach: Projects that take a preventative approach to community challenges are favored over purely reactive solutions.

  4. Budget Discipline: Administrative/indirect overhead is capped at 20% of total request when allowed. Ensure budgets reflect this limitation.

  5. Future-Focused: Only expenses that will occur after the grant award are fundable. For Community Building Grants, this typically means June 1 or later.

  6. Complete Applications: Submit only requested materials. The foundation emphasizes that additional materials beyond what is requested will not be reviewed.

  7. Board Engagement: Including board member information (towns and occupations) demonstrates governance strength and community connections.

Recent Funded Projects (2024 Examples):

  • Drop-In Center (Androscoggin County): $5,000 for general support to provide low-barrier space for people in need
  • Generational Noor (Androscoggin County): $10,000 for substance use disorder and mental health support for BIPOC and immigrant communities
  • Appalachian Mountain Club (Piscataquis County): $10,000 for illustrated children's book about fish habitat restoration
  • Little Schoolhouse Childcare (Piscataquis County): $10,000 for licensed, affordable childcare center operations
  • Belfast Theatre Arts Company (Waldo County): $10,000 for community-based entertainment and learning
  • Ecology Learning Center (Waldo County): $10,000 for community engagement manager position

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • High Success Rate: The Community Building Grant Program has an impressive 50% success rate—significantly higher than most competitive grant programs. This makes MaineCF one of the more accessible funders for Maine nonprofits.

  • Geographic Distribution: MaineCF intentionally funds all 16 Maine counties through county-specific pools, ensuring statewide reach. Research your specific county's deadline and priorities.

  • Broad Scope Welcome: Unlike many foundations with narrow focus areas, MaineCF funds across all interest areas. Don't self-select out because your work seems too general.

  • Assets-Based Language: Frame your proposal using assets-based language—emphasize community strengths, prevention, and leadership development rather than deficits and problems.

  • General Support Available: MaineCF offers both project and general support grants. General support provides flexible funding for operations, programs, or capital expenses—consider which best fits your needs.

  • Start Early: Applications open 3 months before deadlines. Starting early allows time to craft a strong proposal and address technical issues.

  • Reapplication Friendly: No penalties for unsuccessful applicants. If you don't succeed, incorporate reviewer feedback and try again in the next cycle or for a different program.

References

  1. Maine Community Foundation Official Website - Accessed December 2024
  2. Maine Community Foundation Grants Page - Accessed December 2024
  3. Eligibility and Grant Guidelines - Accessed December 2024
  4. Available Grants & Deadlines - Accessed December 2024
  5. Community Building Grant Program - Accessed December 2024
  6. Recent Maine Community Foundation Grants - Accessed December 2024
  7. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Maine Community Foundation - Accessed December 2024
  8. Instrumentl 990 Report - Maine Community Foundation - Accessed December 2024
  9. Meet Our Staff - Maine Community Foundation - Accessed December 2024
  10. Financial Information - Maine Community Foundation - Accessed December 2024
  11. Dick Trafton: Leadership Should Promote Involvement - Accessed December 2024
  12. MaineCF announces 2024 Community Building Grants - Piscataquis Observer - Accessed December 2024
  13. From MaineCF's President and CEO: Our Commitment - Accessed December 2024
  14. Maine Community Foundation leader named to Maine Climate Council - Bangor Daily News - Accessed December 2024
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