The Maine Semiquincentennial Commission is pleased to announce the launch of a new grant program to support communities, organizations, and institutions in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Funded by the Maine State Archives and the Maine State Cultural Affairs Council, this one-time grant opportunity well help us create a meaningful, statewide commemoration that honors Maine’s past and inspires its future.
Program Description
The primary purpose of this grant program is to support inclusive, community-centered research, events, programs, projects, or exhibitions offered by museums, heritage areas, history organizations and sites, other nonprofits, and state, county, municipal, and tribal entities. Funded projects should follow the Maine Semiquincentennial Commission’s three guiding principles:
Connect: Uniting Maine’s Stories with America’s Legacy
- Foster a sense of community and shared heritage through collaborative events and discussions.
Share: Illuminating Maine’s Legacy in America’s Story
- Provide engaging and informative programs that highlight Maine's role in American history and the broader national narrative
Learn: Examining Maine’s Role in America’s Ongoing Journey
- Encourage lifelong learning and curiosity about our past, present, and future.
Eligible Activities
- Grants may be utilized in support of research, programming, and interpretive projects that seek to deepen public understanding of Maine’s complex history. Representative projects include but are not limited to the following:
• Research, including archival research, oral histories, research related to a building, structure, or space that broadens interpretation of the site
• Development and installation of historic markers and/or interpretive signage
• Production of educational programming related to Maine history such as classroom offerings, student projects, and field trips, as well as adult learning opportunities like conferences, symposia, lectures, workshops, and seminars
• Creation of public exhibitions, cultural presentations, publications and/or educational materials
• Digitization/processing of relevant collections
• Historic preservation projects
• Living history events
• Community service or volunteer activities
Funds
• Grant amounts of up to $10,000
• No funding match or cost-share is required
• Partial awards will not be made
• Restrictions: All purchases made with grant funds are to be made during the grant period and be directly associated with the project. Grant funds may not be used to pay for existing supplies or previous work. Grant funds may not be used to pay existing staff salaries but may be used to pay someone who usually volunteers, or who is working beyond regular hours. Organizations may not apply through a fiscal sponsor to meet eligibility requirements.
Eligible Organizations
• Maine tribal entities, nonprofit organizations and other institutions that support the arts, culture, learning, and the humanities, and/or preserve historic buildings, objects, art, culture, or records.
• Maine county and municipal governments and state agencies who comply with the Local Government Record Retention Schedules issued by the Maine State Archives.
• Not eligible:
o Individuals, for-profit organizations, political or advocacy organizations.
o Cultural Affairs Council member organizations: Maine State Archives, Maine State Library, Maine State Museum, Maine Historic Preservation Commission, Maine Historical Society, Maine Arts Commission, and Maine Humanities.
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
• Quality and clarity of project description
• Alignment with the Maine Semiquincentennial Commission’s guiding principles
• Strength and authenticity of collaborations
• Geographic diversity and reach
• Potential for sustainability and lasting legacy
• Appropriateness and feasibility of the budget
Application Timeline
Application submission deadline: |
| October 31, 2025 |
Grant notification date: |
| December 15, 2025 |
Earliest project start date: |
| January 1, 2026 |
Project must be completed by: |
| December 31, 2026 |
Organizations may submit applications for multiple projects; projects may run concurrently.
To Apply
Please complete and submit the application below to Sarah Hansen, Director, Maine Semiquincentennial Commission at sarah.e.hansen@maine.gov.
All applications must be submitted electronically and include “ME250 Grant Application” in the subject line to ensure proper processing and review.
At the completion of the project, all grantees will be required to submit a final report including:
• A summary of how funds were spent and a narrative summary of project outcomes and public impact (images are appreciated).
• Reports are preferred 30 days after project completion, and no later than January 30, 2027.
Download Grant Application
How to Download, Save, and Fill Out a Fillable PDF
Download
- Click the provided link below to open the PDF.
- Select the download icon (usually a downward arrow) or right-click and choose “Save As.”
Save
- Choose a location on your computer (such as Documents or Desktop) and click Save.
- Open the file from that location to begin filling it out.
Fill Out
- Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader (free to download here) or another PDF program that supports fillable forms.
- Click into each field to type your information.
- When finished, go to File > Save (or Save As if you want to keep a blank copy).