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[Elmina B. Sewall Foundation](https://www.sewallfoundation.org)

September 2026 (Rapid Response Grants) | February 2027 (Food Systems Grants)

$10,000–$60,000/year (individual orgs); up to $100,000–$200,000/year (collaborations); 1–4 year proposals; 2026 total available funding: $180,000 (limited, by invitation only)

Supports grassroots, equity-driven efforts to build a just, healthy, and community-led food system in Maine, prioritizing marginalized and underserved groups.

2026 grants are by invitation only due to limited new funding; priority for BIPOC, rural, and women-led efforts.

--- ## Description The Food Systems program at the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation funds efforts to co-create a thriving, healthy, and just food system in Maine. The program prioritizes equity-driven, grassroots initiatives led by or serving Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), rural Mainers, and women—especially those that strengthen Maine’s local food system and are guided by those most affected by food system injustices. Supported areas include food justice, food sovereignty, land and water access, nutrition equity, food networks, and food policy. The foundation emphasizes supporting smaller organizations and those facing barriers to accessing other resources. --- ## Due Dates - **Rapid Response Grants** (anticipated): Rolling January–September; projected final deadline: **September 2026** - **Food Systems Grants** (anticipated): Projected full application deadline: **February 2027** *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - **Total available funding in 2026:** $180,000 (most funds committed to multi-year grants; new funding is limited) - **Individual organizations/efforts:** $10,000–$60,000 per year (1–4 years) - **Collaborations/multi-organization efforts:** Up to $100,000–$200,000 per year (1–4 years) - Increased funding may be available for organizations addressing multiple priority areas. - Rapid Response Grants: Typically up to $10,000 per request, with a $100,000 cap for land access/land back efforts. --- ## Eligibility - Must support work in Maine. - Priority for: - Organizations led by or serving BIPOC, rural Mainers, and women. - Grassroots, equity-driven, community-led efforts. - Smaller organizations and those facing barriers to accessing resources (including fiscally sponsored projects). - Areas of focus: - Food justice, food sovereignty, land/water access, nutrition equity, food networks, food policy. - Rapid Response Grants: For time-sensitive needs related to land access, legal fees, appraisals, etc. --- ## Application Process - **2026 cycle:** By invitation only due to limited new funding. - Applicants may be invited to apply (including organizations not currently funded), or current partners may be asked to amend existing grants. - Applications are submitted via the [online portal](https://sewallfoundation.givingdata.com/portal/login). - Required attachments may include project/operating budgets and financial statements; do not submit IRS 990s. - Contact the Food Systems Community Partner at [foodsystems@sewallfoundation.org](mailto:foodsystems@sewallfoundation.org) with program questions. - For technical help with the online system, contact [Laura Dover](mailto:ldover@sewallfoundation.org?subject=Online%20Application). --- ## Additional Information - The foundation is committed to resourcing communities facing racial and socioeconomic inequity. - Emphasis on supporting both immediate needs and the development of sovereign and just food systems. - For land access/land back efforts, see the [Land Back and Land Access approach document](https://www.sewallfoundation.org/s/FINAL-Sewall-Approach-Land-Back-and-Land-Access-031125.pdf). - See [Application Instructions](https://www.sewallfoundation.org/application-instructions) for detailed guidance. --- ## External Links - [Food Systems Program Page](https://www.sewallfoundation.org/food-systems) - [2026 Fact Sheet (PDF)](https://www.sewallfoundation.org/s/FactSheet_FoodSystems_2026.pdf) - [Application Instructions](https://www.sewallfoundation.org/application-instructions) - [Land Back & Land Access Approach (PDF)](https://www.sewallfoundation.org/s/FINAL-Sewall-Approach-Land-Back-and-Land-Access-031125.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |--------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Program questions | [foodsystems@sewallfoundation.org](mailto:foodsystems@sewallfoundation.org) | | Technical/application help | [Laura Dover](mailto:ldover@sewallfoundation.org?subject=Online%20Application) | | Phone | 207-865-3810 |75:T92c,Funder: Elmina B. Sewall Foundation Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2026 (Rapid Response Grants) | February 2027 (Food Systems Grants) Funding Amounts: $10,000–$60,000/year (individual orgs); up to $100,000–$200,000/year (collaborations); 1–4 year proposals; 2026 total available funding: $180,000 (limited, by invitation only) Summary: Supports grassroots, equity-driven efforts to build a just, healthy, and community-led food system in Maine, prioritizing marginalized and underserved groups. Key Information: 2026 grants are by invitation only due to limited new funding; priority for BIPOC, rural, and women-led efforts. --- ## Description The Food Systems program at the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation funds efforts to co-create a thriving, healthy, and just food system in Maine. The program prioritizes equity-driven, grassroots initiatives led by or serving Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), rural Mainers, and women—especially those that strengthen Maine’s local food system and are guided by those most affected by food system injustices. Supported areas include food justice, food sovereignty, land and water access, nutrition equity, food networks, and food policy. The foundation emphasizes supporting smaller organizations and those facing barriers to accessing other resources. --- --- ## Funding Amount - **Total available funding in 2026:** $180,000 (most funds committed to multi-year grants; new funding is limited) - **Individual organizations/efforts:** $10,000–$60,000 per year (1–4 years) - **Collaborations/multi-organization efforts:** Up to $100,000–$200,000 per year (1–4 years) - Increased funding may be available for organizations addressing multiple priority areas. - Rapid Response Grants: Typically up to $10,000 per request, with a $100,000 cap for land access/land back efforts. --- ## Eligibility - Priority for: - Organizations led by or serving BIPOC, rural Mainers, and women. - Grassroots, equity-driven, community-led efforts. - Smaller organizations and those facing barriers to accessing resources (including fiscally sponsored projects). - Areas of focus: - Food justice, food sovereignty, land/water access, nutrition equity, food networks, food policy. - Rapid Response Grants: For time-sensitive needs related to land access, legal fees, appraisals, etc.45:[null,["$","$L73",null,{"grant":{"id":"408ba816-6ffc-4ec9-a418-44a5dab653bf","created_at":"2026-03-14T08:35:56.16847+00:00","updated_at":"2026-03-14T08:36:36.50965+00:00","title":"Food Systems Grants","description":"The Food Systems program at the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation supports science- and research-based, grassroots efforts to co-create a thriving, healthy, and just food system in Maine. The program is grounded in equity, prioritizing initiatives led by or serving Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), rural Mainers, and women. It funds projects that address food justice, food sovereignty, access to land and water, nutrition equity, food networks, and food policy. The Foundation seeks to strengthen Maine’s local food system by supporting organizations most impacted by food system injustices, with a focus on those that are smaller or face barriers to accessing other resources. 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Food Systems Grants

Food Systems Grants

Keystone Grants

Rural Partnerships Grants

Animal Welfare Grants

Wabanaki Grants

Rapid Response Fund Grants

Keystone Grants

Rural Partnerships Grants

Animal Welfare Grants

Wabanaki Grants

Rapid Response Fund Grants