Peaks Island Fund Grant

Maine Community Foundation

Predicted deadline: Jun 1, 2024 8:59pm PDT

Grant amount: Up to US $15,000

Funding uses: Education / Outreach, General Operating Expense, Project / Program, Capital Project, Training / Capacity Building

Location of project: Cumberland County, Maine

Location of residency: United States

Overview:

Background

Through the generosity of year-round and summer residents, businesses, and friends, the Peaks Island Fund benefits the community of Peaks Island and its residents by supporting the work of local nonprofits and responding to the emerging needs of the island and its residents. Local residents evaluate grant requests to determine how the funds will be distributed. They also monitor the pulse of the island to determine other needs that should be addressed to better the future lives of island residents.

Priorities

The focus of the Peaks Island Fund is to help sustain and grow a diverse, year-round community on the island.

Priority will be given to projects that:

• Help to reduce economic barriers to living on the island
• Provide or increase access to educational and enrichment programs for youth
• Preserve and protect the built and natural environment, including projects that reduce energy consumption
• Increase year-round social and cultural resources for the community
• Enhance opportunities for physical accessibility on the island, or
• Collaborative projects that focus on efforts to bring Peaks Island residents together through common action and partnerships.

Types of Support

The Peaks Island Fund will award grants to support: 1) new or expanding projects; 2) capacity building; 3) general operations; 4) equipment or renovations; 5) rapid response.

Project support for new or expanding projects

• New projects are those being implemented for the first time. 
• Expanding projects are existing projects that will serve a different population or include new services or content other than what was previously implemented.

Capacity-building support is for activities designed to make an organization stronger, more successful, or more efficient. This includes:

• training board, staff, or volunteers
• improving financial management and development.

General operating support for organizations whose core mission is clearly and directly related to the fund’s priority areas (see above).

• Organizations may apply each year for operating support of $10,000 annually with a maximum of $20,000 over two consecutive years.
• Organizations that receive two consecutive years of general operating support must wait two years after the second grant is awarded before they can apply again for general operating support.

Equipment or renovation support needed to meet an organization’s mission.

 (New in 2018) Rapid Response Grants for new or unexpected needs that do not fit the timeline for the regular Peaks Island Fund grant program. The Rapid Response Grants will support small grants ($2,000 maximum) for: 

• software, equipment and/or fees that are needed for the organization to deliver services 
• special training and professional development such as attending conferences or workshops that will improve skills or future professional opportunities
• programming
• building repairs
• community events

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.

Eligibility:

• Who is eligible to apply
• 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. (Click here for information on fiscal sponsorships).

Ineligibility:

• What we will not fund, without exception
• Expenses already incurred
• Political campaigns
• Lobbying in the form of calls to action on a specific vote
• Religious activities: including, but not limited to, religious services, promotion of religious beliefs, or activities that are restricted to church or religious group membership
• The Peaks Island Fund will not support:
• Endowments or capital campaigns: Activities designed to increase capital or assets of an organization. This includes costs related to verbal or written requests for financial support such as appeal letters or fundraising events.