Grant and Funding Sources

Please contact us if you have any comments or recommendations for additions to list for grant sources for libraries. Use the Contact Us page, choose Linda Lord.

Be sure check new grants below but also possible ongoing opportunities from foundations, trusts and other nonprofits listed below the recent additions and deadlines.

General Grant Sources

Recent Additions and Deadlines Subscribe to the library grant feed

Grant Descriptions

Family Literacy Initiative Grant Now Open

"The Maine Family Literacy Initiative (MEFLI) is designed to support the development of family literacy throughout the state of Maine. The applicant must demonstrate that it intends to provide family literacy programming in Maine that includes: adult education, early childhood education, and interactive intergenerational literacy services to families."

Up to $5,000 is available for the first year of the grant based on the plan described - see the application. Up to ten grants will be awarded. Two subsequent years of funding at $25,000 per year may be available based on: approval of the program design, required performance data, an interview by a panel of experts, and availability of funds.

Complete information with the Request for Proposal and the Application with instructions can be found at http://www.mainefamilyliteracy.com/grants/

For more information about the grants offered by the Maine Family Literacy Initiative, please contact Becky Dyer, MEFLI Director, at becky@mainefamilyliteracy.com

Libri Foundation: Books for Children Grant

The Libri Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2012 Books For Children grants.

The Libri Foundation is a nationwide non-profit organization which donates new, quality, hardcover children's books to small, rural public libraries throughout the United States. Since October 1990, the Foundation has donated over $5,000,000 worth of new children's books to more than 3,000 libraries in all 50 states.

In order to encourage and reward local support of libraries, The Libri Foundation will match any amount of money raised by your local sponsors from $50 to $350 on a 2-to-1 ratio. Thus, a library can receive up to $1,050 worth of new children's books. After a library receives a grant, local sponsors (such as formal or informal Friends groups, civic or social organizations, local businesses, etc.) have four months, or longer if necessary, to raise their matching funds.

The librarian of each participating library selects the books her library will receive from a booklist provided by the Foundation. The 700-plus fiction and nonfiction titles on the booklist reflect the very best of children's literature published primarily in the last three years. These titles, which are for children ages 12 and under, are award-winners or have received starred reviews in library, literary, or education journals. The booklist also includes a selection of classic children's titles.

Libraries are qualified on an individual basis. In general, county libraries should serve a population under 16,000 and town libraries should serve a population under 10,000 (usually under 5,000). Libraries should be in a rural area, have a limited operating budget, and an active children's department.

Please note: Rural is usually considered to be at least 30 miles from a city with a population over 40,000. Town libraries with total operating budgets over $150,000 and county libraries with total operating budgets over $350,000 are rarely given grants.

Applications are accepted from independent libraries as well as libraries which are part of a county, regional, or cooperative library system.

A school library may apply only if it also serves as the public library (i.e. it is open to the everyone in the community, has some summer hours, and there is no public library in town).

A branch library may apply if the community it is in meets the definition of rural. If the branch library receives its funding from its parent institution, then the parent institution's total operating budget, not just the branch library's total operating budget, must meet the budget guidelines.

A library that received a Books for Children grant in 2009 or earlier is eligible to apply if it fulfilled all the grant requirements, including sending in its final report.

Application deadlines for 2012 are: (postmarked by) January 23rd, and May 15th. Grants will be awarded January 31st and May 31st.

The names of grant recipients will be posted on the Foundation's website a few days after grants are awarded. Acceptance packets are usually mailed 14-18 days after grants are awarded.

If you want your books in time for your summer reading program, please apply for a January grant. May grant recipients may not receive their books until after most summer reading programs are over.

Please DO NOT waste money sending your application by Express Mail. The application deadline is based on postmark date, not arrival date.

Application guidelines and forms may be downloaded from the Foundation's website at: http://www.librifoundation.org.

For more information about The Libri Foundation or its Books for Children program, please contact Ms. Barbara J. McKillip, President, The Libri Foundation, PO Box 10246, Eugene, OR 97440. 541-747-9655 (phone); 541-747-4348 (fax); libri@librifoundation.org (email). Normal office hours are: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Time.

Foundations

Kresge Foundation: Capital Challenge Grant Program

The mission of the Kresge Foundation is to strengthen nonprofit organizations throughout the United States that advance the well-being of humanity. The Foundation’s six major areas of interest are health, environment, arts and culture, education, human services, and community development.

Through the Capital Challenge Grant Program, the Foundation supports organizations’ immediate capital needs, such as building construction or renovation, the purchase of real estate, and the purchase of major equipment. Grants are awarded on a challenge basis, usually one-third to one-fifth of the amount an organization has to raise to complete its campaign goal.

The Foundation accepts online letters of intent for this program throughout the year. Visit Kresge Foundation: Capital Challenge Grant Program to review the Capital Challenge Grant Program guidelines. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust

The foundation's interests include historic preservation, historical societies, arts and cultural programs, vocational education, education and the environment. Initial approach should be made through a letter to:

Michael J. Quinlan
The Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust
c/o Jensen, Baird, Gardner and Henry
10 Free Street
Portland, ME 04112
207-775-7271

The Aldermere Foundation c/o Trust Co. of Maine

The Aldermere Foundation c/o Trust Co. of Maine
145 Exchange Street,
Bangor 04401
Contact: Dee Condon Fax: (207) 941-2498

Independent Foundation was established in Maine in 1977.

  • Purpose and activities: Giving primarily for the arts, education, and religious organizations.
  • Fields of interest: Animals/wildlife, preservation/protection; Arts, Arts Education; Christian agencies and churches; Libraries (Public); Museums (art)
  • Geographic focus: Maine
  • Deadlines: None

Bangor Savings Bank Foundation: Foundation Grant Making

"The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation was created in 1997 to help fulfill our commitment to improving community life in Maine. Today, the Bank has chosen to improve the impact and coordination of its giving by channeling all major charitable contributions from the Bank through the Foundation's grant-making process."
Learn more about Bangor Savings grants:

The Libra Foundation

Elizabeth C. Flaherty
Administrative Assistant
Three Canal Plaza
P.O. Box 17516
Portland, ME 04112
(207) 879-6280
http://www.librafoundation.org/

  • The Libra Foundation is a private operating foundation established by Elizabeth B. Noyce which became active in June, 1989.
  • This foundation is authorized by the Internal Revenue Service to make grants and contributions to charitable organizations other than political organizations.
  • Applicants must be tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the IRS code and "not a private foundation" under section 509(a) of the code
  • Please direct inquiries, requests for application forms, letters and grant requests to contact information above.

The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy - The Maine Family Literacy Initiative

Becky Dyer
Maine Department of Education
State House Station 23
Augusta, ME 04333
email: becky.dyer@maine.gov
Telephone (207) 624-6755
http://www.barbarabushfoundation.com/sli.html

  • Purpose: Expand small family literacy programs throughout Maine.

Maine Philanthropy Center

USM Library
P.O. Box 9301
Portland, Maine 041-04-9301
http://www.mainephilanthropy.org/
Telephone 207-780-5039

  • The Maine Philanthropy Center is a nonprofit organization established in 1995 by a group of foundations to promote effective philanthropy in Maine.
  • Check the web site for helpful events and support for fundraising.
  • About The Maine Philanthropy Center

The following serve as affiliates to the Maine Philanthropy Center and can access the Foundation Center's CD-ROM for research on private and public foundation in Maine (and across the nation).

  • Bangor Public Library
  • Camden Public Library
  • UM Merrill Library in Machias
  • Cary Library in Houlton

The Davis Foundation

Attn: Nancy M. Wilson, Executive Director
4 Fundy Road
Falmouth, Maine 04105
Telephone: 207-781-5504

  • Applicants must be tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the IRS code and "not a private foundation" under section 509(a) of the code.
  • Strong preference is given to organizations located in Southern Maine, but those in other parts of Maine and New England may be considered.

Maine Community Foundation

225 Main Street
Ellsworth, Maine 04605
Telephone 207-667-9735

OR

Portland: One Monument Square, Suite 200
Portland, ME 04112
Telephone 207-761-2440
Telephone toll free 1-877-700-6800
e-mail: info@mainecf.org
www.mainecf.org

Maine Humanities Council Let’s Talk About It

Let’s Talk About It is an adult reading & discussion program sponsored by Maine Humanities Council’s Center for the Book in partnership with the Maine State Library. Programs are offered free of charge to Maine libraries thanks to funding from the Belvedere Fund of the Maine Community Foundation & the citizens of Maine through the New Century Community Program, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Please note there are application deadlines for hosting a Let's Talk About It program for Summer, Fall, and Winter/Spring.

More information about the program, application and deadlines to apply

Rose and Samuel Rudman Library Trust

Managed by Maine Community Foundation, awards granted every year to public libraries in Maine communities with population under 10,000 people.

Eligible libraries are located in Waldo, Knox, Hancock, Washington, Aroostook, Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.

Online application for member libraries

The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation

The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation is a private non-profit organization that "promotes strengthening and supporting communities and draws upon the values and spirituality of the founders."

49 Florida Ave.
Bangor, Maine 04401
Telephone: 1-207-990-2910
Fax: 207-990-2975
Email: info@stkfoundation.org
http://www.stkfoundation.org/

Company Communities Funded

FedEx Global Community Relations Program--The mission of the FedEx Global Community Relations Program is to support the communities the company serves through financial contributions, in-kind shipping services and volunteer services of employees. The company's core giving areas include: Emergency and Disaster Relief; Pedestrian and Child Safety; and Education, with emphasis on technology, global economics, cultural diversity and programs that enhance learning. FedEx also provides support for Health and Human Services, primarily through the United Way and March of Dimes, with limited support for youth development organizations and others that meet basic human needs. FedEx is especially interested in supporting organizations that request 5% or less of the total project budget. The company also weighs the involvement of employees in groups that seek financial support. Applications may be submitted at any time.

Technology for Community Grant Initiative--This grant initiative provides technology tools to nonprofit organizations to enhance their effectiveness and to support the innovative use of mobile technology.