The 2010 People of Color Fund advisors: (L to R) Stefan Jackson, Wil Smith, Shelly Roseboro, Barbara Ginley, Dominic Suru, Lisa Sockabasin, Catherine Bestemen and Bill Burney. (Not pictured: Fatuma Hussein.)
Total grant dollars requested last cycle: $198,610
Total grant dollars awarded last cycle: $94,500
Percentage of proposals that received funding: 50%
Maximum grant size: $7,500
Average grant size last cycle: $6,250
Application deadline: March 15
Background
In 2007, the River Rock Foundation gave a $1 million gift to the Maine Community Foundation to establish the first fund in Maine dedicated to addressing the needs of people of color. The objective of the fund is to help communities of color achieve greater racial equity in Maine. The People of Color Fund will assist these efforts by supporting these communities as they seek to develop their leadership, knowledge, tools, and skills.
The targeted beneficiaries of this fund will be self-identified people of color. Specific populations include but are not limited to people of Native American, Latin, Central American, African, Arab, Asian, and Caribbean descent.
Priorities
The goal of the People of Color Fund grant program is to assist people of color in Maine achieve greater equity by:
- investing in the development of existing, new and emerging leadership
- supporting organizations that serve communities of color
- assisting communities and individuals of color to affect systemic change.
The People of Color Fund advisory committee has identified three areas of interest where it will concentrate its grantmaking. While applications for other projects will be accepted and reviewed, the committee will give priority to the areas of interest listed below when awarding grants.
- Leadership Development: Projects or organizations that provide skill building, training, and mentorship for leaders of color
- Civic Engagement: Projects or organizations that increase understanding of and involvement in public institutions and civic processes; this includes legislative processes, voting, and citizenship classes.
- Youth: Projects or organizations that do any one of the following:
- provide skill building, training, mentoring, apprenticeships, or internships
- promote cultural awareness and preservation
- help to address the particular challenges faced in their communities.
The People of Color Fund will award two types of grants:
- Project Grants for initiatives that advance racial equity
- Organizational Development Grants to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of organizations that serve communities of color. This includes projects to:
- strengthen governance and leadership
- improve staff skills
- create and implement strategic and organizational business plans
- improve services and programs
- improve financial management
- expand financial and human resources such as staff and volunteers.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for support, applying organizations must:
- provide services or support to an identifiable community of color in Maine
- have people of color in leadership positions with significant responsibilities (such as an officer of the Board of Directors or a management level staff position)
- be nonprofit, 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt organizations, public schools, public agencies working for the State of Maine, or Indian tribal governments (and their political subdivisions) recognized by the Department of the Interior or have a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3) organization, public school, public agency, or Indian tribal government (click here for more information on applying with a fiscal sponsor).
People of Color Fund grants will not be made for lobbying or religious activities; program expenses that have already been incurred; or annual funds or endowments.
In addition to the above criteria, the fund will only support projects in which a majority of the participants or intended recipients are people of color.
Note: Eligible organizations that have received grants from other Maine Community Foundation funds in the last 12 months are eligible to apply to the People of Color Fund.
Project Progress Report
All grant recipients will be required to submit a Project Progress Report (PDF | RTF | Word Document) approximately 10 months after receiving payment of the grant.
How to Apply
Grant application forms are available from the MaineCF offices or can be downloaded above.
All proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria:
- the ability of the proposed project or organization to promote equity, diversity and/or inclusion in Maine
- the organization or project uses collaboration or partnerships with other organizations
- the involvement of people of color in the development and management of the organization or project
- the project or services support or help members of a community of color
- the ability of the organization to complete the project as proposed
- the project proposal, strategies, and goals are clear and easy to understand.
When to Apply
Proposals must be postmarked by March 15 and mailed to:
People of Color Fund
Maine Community Foundation
245 Main Street
Ellsworth, ME 04605
Proposals submitted by e-mail will not be accepted. Applicants will be notified of the final decisions in late May.
Contact
If you have any further questions regarding the People of Color Fund, please contact Lelia DeAndrade by e-mail or by phone at (877) 700-6800.