Rural Partnerships Grants
Supports collaborative, community-led research and solutions to structural challenges in rural Maine, emphasizing cross-sector partnerships for sustainable, systemic change.
Funder: Elmina B. Sewall Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2027 (Full application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Individual orgs: $10,000–$60,000/year; Collaboratives: up to $200,000/year (when available); 2026 funding: $95,000 total
Summary: Supports collaborative, community-led solutions to structural challenges in rural Maine, focusing on sustainable, cross-sector partnerships.
Key Information: Grants are by invitation only due to limited available funding; priority is given to the Katahdin Region and Washington County.
Description
The Rural Partnerships Grants from the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation are designed to strengthen collaborative backbone infrastructure and partnerships in rural Maine, especially in the Katahdin Region and Washington County. The program seeks to empower communities to envision and guide their own futures, fostering sustainable, systemic change through cross-sector collaborations. Supported initiatives address structural challenges such as affordable housing, broadband expansion, climate adaptation, economic and community development, food systems, human health, natural resource-based opportunities, regional planning, Wabanaki partnerships, and workforce development. The foundation emphasizes equity, community voice, and outcomes that exceed what single organizations could achieve independently.
