Investing in Leaders of Color
Quick OverviewMax Award: $6,950Interest Areas: Civil Rights/Social Action/Advocacy; Community Improvement/Capacity BuildingGeographic Area: StatewideTypes of Funding: Capacity-buildingApplication Opens: July 15Deadline: Sept. 16, 11:59 p.m.Notification: By Dec. 15Staff Contact: Gloria Aponte C.; gaponteclarke@mainecf.org, 207-412-0847Apply: Click on the orange “Apply” button at the top right of this page. |
2023 Cycle StatsApplications received: 35Amount requested: $243,250Number of grants awarded: 10Grant dollars awarded: $69,500Average award: $6,950Percentage of applicants that received grants: 29%Additional grants by donors: two totaling $13,950Recent grants: Click here to see the last three years of grants. |
Purpose
Investing in Leaders of Color supports nonprofit leaders of color and their organizations. The program provides one-on-one coaching, a stipend for professional development and operating costs, and networking opportunities.
This program is designed for people of color in leadership positions in nonprofit organizations that serve communities of color and promote racial equity in the state of Maine. Grants will be made to the organizations.
Criteria and Priorities
Leaders’ organizations must meet the Maine Community Foundation’s grant eligibility requirements. Please read our eligibility and grant guidelines before submitting an application.
Criteria
To receive a grant:
- Applicant organizations must serve communities of color
- Applicant organizations must promote racial equity
- Leaders must be a person of color in a leadership role at an applicant organization in the state of Maine
- Leaders must be available for one-on-one coaching and professional development within a one-year time frame.
Priorities
Priority will be given to:
- Leaders from organizations led by people of color
Types of Funding
This program provides a capacity-building grant, totaling $6,950 per organization/leader, which consist of the following components:
- One-on-one coaching ($3,450)
- Each leader is eligible for up to 23 hours of coaching at a rate of $150/hr. The leader’s organization will be paid for their participation in this program at the same hourly rate as coaches.
- Professional development ($2,000), including but not limited to:
- Conferences, workshops, and/or trainings (including travel, accommodations, and meals)
- Tuition assistance
- Professional membership fees
- Operating costs ($1,500), including but not limited to:
- Technology (e.g., computer, laptop, tablets, smartphones, AV equipment)
- New software
- Books, literature, professional journals.
Additional Information
Ineligible Expenses
Funds may not be used for:
- See “What we will not fund, without exception” on our eligibility and grant guidelines page.
Background
Investing in Leaders of Color (ILOC) was piloted in 2019 with nine nonprofit leaders from across the state. ILOC is part of MaineCF’s racial equity strategic work, which is focused on building the field of people and organizations working to promote and increase racial equity in Maine.
