The purpose of the Foundation is make grants to organizations working to improve the lives of Maine people in the areas of human service and the environment. We favor small organizations that do not yet have a large financial base. Our primary interest is to fund organizations in and projects affecting Cumberland County. We must make grants to organizations with 501 (c)(3) status.

With respect to agencies which provide direct social services, we are interested in how the program to be funded would serve overall community or regional needs. In addition, we are interested in how services are geographically distributed within Cumberland County.

During the last several years, the Foundation has made grants from $800 - $6,200. While we expect grants to be in the same general range, we will consider grants in larger amounts. Among the recipients have been the Friends of Casco Bay, Friendship House, Immigrant Legal Project, Woodfords Family Services, and Project for Supported Living.

The brief application form with supporting materials must be received by April 1st. The Foundation awards grants annually in June.

Please be aware that the Foundations' directors may not issue a general request for proposals. Information concerning the Foundation will continue to be available through the Grant Information Center of the University of Southern Maine.

For more information, please contact: