Grants to Maine nonprofit organizations, state and local agencies, tribal entities, faith-based organizations, and institutions of higher education for volunteer programs that benefit the community. Funding is intended for programs that address community issues within the focus areas of workforce development, public health, housing, climate change, and the environment. Programs must have sufficient service work to account for at least 10,800 hours of service by AmeriCorps members in each of three years.
Applicants must implement an evidence-based program model that addresses one of these community issues:
Public Health – including domestic violence, abuse or neglect, substance use, emergency preparedness/response, adverse childhood experiences, and mental health;
Workforce development – combining service with skill development or certifications that lead to post-service employment
Housing – affordable and safe housing; home energy conservation, weatherization, or repair including programs that perform the modifications, teach homeowners DIY skills or help residents connect with programs that offer financial assistance to accomplish the projects
Climate action compatible with Maine Won’t Wait (the state climate action plan) and Maine Climate Corps; and,
Environmental/community resilience, adaptation, and sustainability including emergency preparedness.
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)
Additional Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must operate an AmeriCorps program only in Maine. Eligible types of organizations are public or private non-profits, State/county/local units of government, higher ed institutions, faith-based organizations, labor organizations, federally recognized Tribes, and regional organizations.
All applicants must have an existing physical presence in the community where AmeriCorps members will serve. Organizations must have an official IRS employer identification number. Applicants will need to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier with the federal System for Award Management and have an active registration.
Volunteer Maine will give preference points under the program model to applications from partnerships or coalitions whose members represent local organizations working together to implement a common evidence-based approach to a community problem. Partnerships are expected to either build on existing cooperative efforts or draw new partners together in ways that do not duplicate existing community efforts.
Ineligible
For a list of prohibited activities, see Page 8 of the Guidelines in Supporting Documents, below.
Pre-Proposal Conference
An information session will be held on March 30, 2023, at 9 am.
Both the proposal sections using the federal eGrants system and additional documents emailed to the Division of Procurement Services must be received no later than 11:59 p.m., local time on April 13, 2023.
All questions must be received by the RFA Coordinator by April 3, 2023, no later than 4:00 p.m., local time.
Estimated Size of Grant
Typical awards range from $196,000 to $280,000.
Term of Contract
A grant period is three (3) years with 12-month annual budget periods serving as the basis for adding funds. The program year is September 1 through August 31 although school-based programs may start around August 15.
