Finding the Right Funding Source
"Start Local – then expand"
Funding sources can be grouped into the following categories:
- Local Foundations
- Corporate Giving Programs (local)
- State of Maine Foundations
- State Government
- Federal Government
Local Foundations
Windham Education Foundation - The mission of WEF is to "expand and enrich all aspects of the educational experience for Windham Students through fundraising, individual & corporate gifts, and responsible management." If you are a public, private or home schooled student in the Town of Windham, you are eligible to benefit from The Windham Education Foundation. While funding scholarships will be a major goal, other grants such as those supporting teacher initiatives, the classroom, technology, and the arts, are all examples of grants that could be funded.
Corporate giving programs based in the state of Maine
Many corporations feel a sense of responsibility to give back to the communities in which they do business. The following corporations have either direct giving programs, foundations, sponsorship programs, in-kind donations, product donations, volunteer programs, or matching gift programs.
Corporation Name |
City of Headquarters |
Androscoggin Bank |
Lewiston |
Bangor Savings Bank |
Bangor |
Energy East Corporation |
New Gloucester |
Franklin Savings Bank |
Farmington |
Gardiner Savings Institution, FSB |
Gardiner |
Hannaford Bros. Co. |
Scarborough |
Kennebunk Savings Bank |
Kennebunk |
L.L.Bean, Inc. |
Freeport |
Machias Savings Bank |
Machias |
Moss Inc. |
Belfast |
Planet Dog |
Portland |
Prime Tanning Co., Inc. |
Berwick |
Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution (SBSI) |
Saco |
TD Banknorth Inc. |
Portland |
Tom's of Maine, Inc. |
Kennebunk |
State of Maine Foundations
Maine Community Foundation - The Maine Community Foundation serves thousands of people who share a common mission: improving the quality of life in our state. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations create charitable funds that help Maine meet the challenges of changing times. Today, the foundation's assets of $250 million are held in stewardship for more than 800 funds. Maine Community Foundation grants cover the full range of nonprofit undertakings, with a special focus in the areas of education, the environment, arts and humanities, and social and community services.
State Government
Federal Government
Other Resources:
The Grantsmanship Center at the University of Southern Maine
The Foundation Center - The Foundation Center is the most authoritative source of information on private philanthropy in the United States. We help grantseekers, grantmakers, researchers, policymakers, the media, and the general public better understand the field of philanthropy. The Foundation's web site is designed to guide you quickly to the information you are looking for—instruction on funding research, help with proposal writing, tools for locating prospective funders, news and research on the field, or a library or training class near you.