Grant Process

The Maine Women’s Giving Tree seeks proposals for its 2017-18 grant cycle. MWGT expects to award six to nine grants ranging from $2,500 to $15,000 in June 2018. The total amount to be awarded will be approximately $55,000. Grant requests must focus on projects or programs in Arrowsic, Bath, Brunswick, Freeport, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Topsham, West Bath, Woolwich and Wiscasset.

 

 

Mission Statement

The mission of the Maine Women’s Giving Tree (MWGT) is to improve the lives of people in our region by making annual grants to qualified non-profit organizations that serve women, children and families in Arrowsic, Bath, Brunswick, Freeport, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Topsham, West Bath, Wiscasset or Woolwich.

Grant Award Eligibility and Criteria

To be considered for a grant, organizations must:

  • Meet MWGT’s mission
  • Provide certification of current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Serve women, children and families in the communities listed in our mission statement
  • Address an important need to maximize the impact of MWGT funds in the community
  • Articulate clear goals, objectives, and measurable outcomes

Organizations seeking MWGT support:

  • May apply for only one grant a year
  • Must expend all grant funds within 12 months of their receipt
  • Must submit two written progress reports: an interim report after six months and a final report at the conclusion of the grant

MWGT does not fund:

  • Organizational endowments
  • Capital improvements or building maintenance
  • Political activities or PACs
  • Religious or faith-based organizations
  • Event tickets or sponsorship, annual fundraising drives or events
  • Deficit reduction
  • Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation,age, religion, disability, or national origin

 

Grant Submission

The grant submission process will consist of two stages:

Stage One:  Submission of Letters of Intent

  • A one-page Letter of Intent to submit a grant proposal must be received by email on or before October 27, 2017 and sent to: grants@mainewomensgivingtree.org
  • The letter must contain:  the name of organization; name of principal contact person; a brief description of the proposal; the approximate amount of the grant request; and proof of the organization’s 501(c)(3) tax status
  • Letters of Intent will be evaluated, and a response will be sent to the agency contact person by November 17, 2017.
  • No more than 15 organizations will be selected to submit a formal grant application.

Stage Two:  Submission of Grant Applications

  • If you are selected to submit a formal grant application, please review the grant application information on this page and on the Grant Timeline and Grant Application pages.
  • All grant applications must be received no later than January 12, 2018 and should be sent via email to grants@mainewomensgivingtree.org.
  • In addition, one hard copy should be mailed to Maine Women’s Giving Tree, PO Box 1065, Brunswick, Maine 04011.

 

The Grant Review Process

A Grant Review Committee carefully screens and evaluates every grant application. Using objective criteria, the Committee then makes initial recommendations for funding. These recommendations are presented to and voted on by the entire membership at a special meeting in mid-May. Every organization that submitted an application then receives a written notification of our decision. In June MWGT hosts a reception honoring all organizations receiving grants.

Please consult the Grant Timeline page for important deadlines.

Grant applications, detailed guidelines and review criteria may be downloaded here.

Please consult “Maine Community Foundation’s Tips for Creating a Strong Grant Application” here.

If you have any questions regarding the application or grant process, please use this form to contact MWGT: