Grant Process

 
Letters of Intent for the 2021-22 Maine Women’s Giving Tree grant cycle should be submitted by November 1, 2021. Proposals 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
  • Indirect costs (costs of running the organization but not directly related to the proposed project).

 

 

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 November 1 and sent to: grants@mainewomensgivingtree.org
  • The letter must contain:  the name of the organization; the name of the 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 on November 19.
  • 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 February 4 and should be sent via email to grants@mainewomensgivingtree.org

 

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 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.

 

Interim and Final Reports

Interim Reports for 2020 grants are due January 31, 2022 and Final Reports are due July 31, 2022. Please follow the guidelines detailed here:

MWGT Interim and Final Reports

 

If you have any questions regarding the application or grant process, please email MWGT at grants@mainewomensgivingtree.org  or use this form: