RFP: Conservation Field Scan and Funder Landscape

Maine Community Foundation is seeking proposals for a statewide field scan of the current recommendations and needs of the conservation sector and its primary funders. Proposals must be received by November 4, 2024.

To view the full RFP, please click here.

2024 Program Update: Working Toward Greater Impact

Maine Community Foundation continually evaluates, adapts and designs its competitive grant programs to reflect community needs and the foundation’s strategic initiatives. Building a better Maine is important, but it isn’t always easy.

The Conservation for All grant program is undergoing an exciting redesign to align with MaineCF’s climate initiative and commitment to equity. The program will not accept applications in 2024 as we evaluate and redesign the program in partnership with community advisors. During this interim year, MaineCF awarded grants to select past applicants whose work strongly aligns with the previous program criteria.

Please subscribe to MaineCF e-news using the link in the footer of this page for updates about the 2025 program relaunch, grant programs and strategic initiatives.

Conservation for All

Quick Overview

2023 Cycle Stats

Max Award: $15,000
Interest Areas: Environment, Recreation/Sports
Geographic Area: Statewide
Types of Funding: General Support, Project
Application Opens: The Conservation for All program will not accept applications in 2024.
Deadline: N/A
Notification: N/A
Staff Contact: Stephanie Cesario, scesario@mainecf.org, 207-412-0824
Apply: The Conservation for All program will not accept applications in 2024 as we evaluate and redesign the program in partnership with community advisors.
Applications received: 61
Amount requested: $826,028
Number of grants awarded: 13
Grant dollars awarded: $186,034
Percentage of applicants that received grants: 21%
Average Award: $14,310
Additional grants by donors: 7 grants totaling $51,390
Recent Grants: Click here to view the last three years of grants.

Background

The Fund for Maine Land Conservation grant program started in the early 1990s and awarded nearly 200 grants totaling $889,768. In 2018, MaineCF received a bequest that made it possible to reexamine and redesign our grantmaking approach to land conservation. We closed the Fund for Maine Land Conservation grant program and in its place created two new land conservation grant programs: 1) Conservation for All, which offers general support, and 2) Maine Land Protection, which offers support for land acquisitions and easements.

Conservation for All Fund Advisors

  • Samaa Abdurraqib, Maine Humanities Council
  • Red Fong, Maine Environmental Education Association, Southern Maine Conservation Collaborative
  • Stefan Jackson, Natural Difference consulting
  • Sinet Kroch, Maine Environmental Education Association, The Nature Conservancy
  • Estephanie Martinez-Alfonzo, Mycorrising consulting
  • Lily Nygren, student
  • Deborah Parede, Maine Environmental Education Association, The Nature Conservancy
  • Kerri Sands, College of the Atlantic
  • Charlene Swift, Maine Coast Heritage Trust
  • Bryan Wentzell, Maine Mountain Collaborative
  • Sue Young, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians