Skip Maine state header navigation

Agencies | Online Services | Help

Skip First Level Navigation | Skip All Navigation

Home > For Libraries > Grants & Funding

Grant and Funding Sources

Grant 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.

Recent Additions and Deadlines

General Grant Sources

The 2008 Lois Lenski Covey grant application [PDF] is available (for grants between $500-$3,000).

"The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation, Inc. annually awards grants to rural and urban, public and school libraries serving at-risk children. The Foundation gives priority to applications from libraries and agencies with real need and limited book budgets."

Only 2008 application forms will be considered. Complete pages 2-4 of this application and return them to:

Mr. Joel Sharrow
Moses and Singer LLP
405 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10174-1299
Please write “Lois Lenski Covey Foundation, Inc.” in the lower left-hand corner of the envelope.

For more information about the Lois Lenski Covey Foundation, Inc.

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.

BJ’s Charitable Foundation

The mission of BJ’s Charitable Foundation is the enhancement of community programs that benefit children and families in the locations served by BJ’s Clubs in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia.

The majority of the Foundation giving is focused on nonprofit organizations that promote the safety, security, and well-being of children and families; support education and health programs; provide community service opportunities; and aid in hunger and disaster relief.

The remaining application deadlines for 2008 are May 9 and August 8.

BJ's application guidelines are available on their Charitable Foundation website

Libri Foundation - 2008 Books for Children

The Libri Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2008 Books for Children grants. The next deadline is April 15th.

Libri Foundation Background

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 $3,500,000 worth of new children's books to more than 2,600 libraries in 48 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.

Matching grant

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.

Qualifying

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.

Previous Books for Children grant recipients are eligible to apply for another grant three years after the receipt of their last grant.

Libraries that do not fulfill all grant requirements, including the final report, may not apply for another grant.

Deadlines

The remaining application deadlines for 2008 are: (postmarked by) August 15th. Grants will be awarded August 31st.

Application guidelines and forms may be downloaded from the Foundation's website.

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. Normal office hours are: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Time.

Motorola Abraham Lincoln Grants Program

The Motorola Foundation, in partnership with the Chicago History Museum, will commemorate the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth through the Motorola Abraham Lincoln Grants Program. The program will provide grants to projects developed by U.S. civic, educational, and cultural organizations that actively engage the public in the lessons from Lincoln’s life.

Funded projects should focus on one of the following three themes: bringing history into the future, engaging in current events, or leadership skills. Eligible applicants include schools and school systems; community organizations; arts and culture organizations; museums; universities; and, other nonprofit organizations with programming on diversity, freedom, history, and leadership. The application deadlines are March 30 and July 30, 2008. Online applications must be submitted through the website listed above.

Complete details for Motorola Lincoln Grants and application

Smart Investing @ your library®

The American Library Association (ALA) and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation announced today they are working together on a new grant program called "Smart Investing @ your library®."

Through this program, the ALA and the NASD Foundation will help build the capacity of public libraries to provide effective, unbiased investor education. During the two-year pilot phase of this program, a select group of libraries will be invited to compete for up to 12 grants that range in size from $5,000 to $100,000.

"Knowing where to go for reliable investor education resources is a challenge for many Americans," said ALA President Leslie B. Burger.  "ALA is pleased to work with the NASD Investor Education Foundation to remind Americans that they can freely access this vital information at their local public libraries."

"Smart Investing @ your library(r)" will be administered jointly by the Reference and User Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, and the NASD Foundation. Margaret Monsour will be the ALA project director. The program will support public libraries in their efforts to meet investor education and protection needs at the community level.

It will encourage innovation in library programming by helping libraries serve patrons not only at the libraries themselves, but also online and in a variety of community settings. Priority will be given to projects in which libraries work in partnership with civic groups, educational institutions and government agencies among others. In addition to the grant support, the program will provide objective investor education materials to the participating libraries, as well as professional development for librarians.

 For more information, visit http://www.ala.org.

For details about grant programs and other FINRA Investor Education Foundation

initiatives, visit http://www.finrafoundation.org/ .

Grants listed by ALA

Bricks and Mortar Projects Funded

  1. The Kresge Foundation-- The purpose of the Kresge Foundation is "to promote the well-being of mankind." The Foundation seeks to strengthen the capacity of charitable organizations to provide effective programs of quality. The Foundation's geographic scope is national and, on occasion, international, and grants support a range of organizations reflecting almost the entire breadth of the nonprofit sector. The Foundation primarily makes challenge grants for building construction or renovation through its Bricks and Mortar Program. Grants are also given for the purchase of real estate and major equipment. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Company Communities Funded

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

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 was created in 1997 to improve community life in Maine.

"Grant applications may be submitted for amounts from $2,000 to $50,000 annually. Applications are reviewed quarterly and must be received by April 1st, July 1st, October 1st, or January 1st for consideration. Eligible organizations may submit only one application per calendar year. Decisions and funding are generally announced within 30 days of each quarterly funding cycle application deadline". Visit Bangor Savings Bank Foundation's web site for information on eligibility.

Program Officer
The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation
99 Franklin Street
P.O. Box 930
Bangor, Maine 04402-0930
http://www.bangor.com/foundation.htm

Beaumont Foundation of America

Beaumont Foundation of America
P.O. Box 1855
Beaumont, TX 77701
1-866-546-2667 (toll-free)
409-813-1816
Beaumont Foundation

This foundation grants Toshiba branded equipment in three different programs, one being "Community Grants (for 501(c)3 organizations) of technology equipment to community-based organizations. Maine communities will be in the next round- 2004. Please visit the web site for complete information on eligibility requirements, for the other two programs, and the opening date for the new round of 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.megrants.org/mpc/home/mpchome.cfm
Telephone 207-780-5039

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

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.

The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation

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

  • 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."