The Community Building Grant Program supports projects and organizations focused on making communities stronger.
Donor Name: Maine Community Foundation
State: Maine
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Program
Deadline: 02/16/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Community Building Grant Program is one of the only grant programs in Maine that supports a broad range of projects and organizations across the entire state, including arts, education, environment, economic development, and human services. It is also MaineCF’s largest grant program and receives nearly 600 applications annually. It provides general support and project grants.
Interest Areas
- Community Improvement
- Capacity Building.
Types of Funding
- General Support for flexible funding of any type such as new/expanding/ongoing programs and operational needs including capital expenses. Your organization’s primary work must meet the Community Building criteria listed above AND your organization must:
- Be located in Maine, defined as your organization has a Maine address,
- Have most recent completed fiscal or financial year expenses BELOW $500,000, and
- NOT be a municipality, government agency, public school, or faith-based organization. (These organizations may be eligible for NEW project grants only.)
- Project Grants for NEW projects within the first two years including capital expenses that meet the Community Building criteria listed above AND your organization must:
- Be located in Maine, defined as your organization has a Maine address,
- Have most recent completed fiscal or financial year expenses AT or ABOVE $500,000,
- Municipalities, government agencies, public schools, or faith-based organizations may apply regardless of expenses
- Total project budget does not exceed $100,000, and
- Project expenses DO NOT include endowments, annual appeals, or scholarships.
Funding Information
Maximum Award: $10,000.
Eligible Expenses
The Project Budget may include up to 20% of the total amount requested from MaineCF for administrative costs. These funds may be used for overhead or operating expenses (examples: rent, utilities, bookkeeping) and can be a line item labeled as “administrative costs.” You may calculate this amount based on a percentage of the total requested (not more than 20 percent or $2,000 of a $10,000 request) and do not need to specify how the funds will be used.
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 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.
Criteria
Your proposed project or organization must:
- Invest in people by increasing skills/abilities, knowledge, and/or well-being
- Engage the people you serve in the design, delivery, and/or evaluation of the work
- Strengthen community resources including organizations, partnerships, and built and natural environments.
For more information, visit MCF.
