2025 Direct Services Grant Program

The 2025 Direct Services Grant Program (DSGP), administered by the John T. Gorman Foundation, is now open for applications. This grant is designed to support programs and organizations that provide direct services to individuals in Maine experiencing poverty. Eligible services include, but are not limited to, food assistance, shelter, clothing, physical and mental healthcare, transportation, English language classes, case management, and domestic violence support. The Foundation, while primarily focused on the well-being of children and families, extends this opportunity to all organizations that serve the basic needs of people affected by poverty within Maine.

The DSGP will distribute a total of $1.2 million in grant funding for the 2025 cycle. Organizations can apply for program or project funding as well as general operating support. Programmatic requests must be directly related to providing services to clients rather than infrastructure-related expenses such as database creation, strategic planning, staff training, or organizational evaluations. For organizations seeking unrestricted general operating support, they must have a mission focused on serving Maine residents experiencing poverty and a proven track record of providing immediate basic needs services. Those that solely serve people in poverty in Maine are encouraged to apply for operating support to access flexible funding.

Grants of up to $30,000 will be awarded to non-profit organizations providing direct services under existing programs. Each applicant organization may submit only one request per year. The grants will be awarded for a 12-month period, and recipients are expected to utilize the funds within that timeframe.

Applicants are encouraged to watch two short informational videos—one covering the program details and another explaining the online application process. If additional questions arise, applicants can schedule a 15-minute call or send an email to James Patefield, the Grants and Data Associate, for guidance on eligibility, proposal planning, and technical support.

To apply, organizations must review the 2025 DSGP Eligibility Criteria and Application Instructions before starting their application. A list of narrative application questions is also available to help applicants prepare their responses in advance. The application system requires users to save their progress frequently to prevent data loss. Returning applicants can access their in-progress or submitted applications through a designated portal.

The application deadline for the 2025 DSGP is 5:00 PM EST on Monday, March 24, 2025. The foundation’s office is located at One Canal Plaza, Suite 800, Portland, ME 04101, and can be reached at 207-518-6784.