The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation is now accepting applications for the Rapid Response Fund.
Donor Name: Elmina B. Sewall  Foundation
State: Maine
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 09/01/2024
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The Rapid Response Fund is a grant opportunity that supports emergency and/or time-sensitive needs of organizations and communities whose work aligns with the Sewall Foundation’s mission: to support work in Maine to improve the well-being of people, animals and the environment while  fostering relationships that strive for social equity and community resilience.

Emergency refers to an unexpected and unplanned event or situation that requires an immediate and time-limited response.
Time-sensitive refers to opportunities that are short-term in duration (usually within the next few months) and purpose.

Priorities

In keeping with Sewall’s values and commitment to fostering equity and centering community voice, Rapid Response Fund grants are generally limited to:

Community-based organizations with operating budgets under $250,000
Organizations led by and serving people in under-resourced populations and geographies, including: African Americans, Indigenous, and people of color; immigrants and refugees; LGBTQ; people with low incomes; differently-abled populations; incarcerated populations; people in recovery; and populations who are homeless or at risk of homelessness

Additional priorities include:

Organizations, networks, or grassroots efforts working to coordinate or mobilize response/action for their field or sector, a geographic region, or a specific community or population
Collaborative and cross-sector efforts
Efforts that are explicit in their commitment to social and environmental justice
Efforts that integrate the well-being of people, animals and the environment.

Funding Information

Available Funding for 2024: $300,000.
Grant Size: Most Rapid Response Fund grants will be no greater than $10,000.

Grant Period
All Rapid Response Fund grants are limited to a 12 month term.
Uses of funds 
Some examples of Rapid Response Fund grant uses:

Increasing capacity of a small nonprofit to respond to emergency needs (food, fuel, housing) in their community
Supporting an animal shelter to address an unforeseen crisis
Supporting unexpected legal costs to remove barriers to equity.

Eligibility Criteria 

Applicants must be eligible to receive tax-deductible donations as outlined in Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. This includes: 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt organizations; public schools; public agencies working for the State of Maine; Indian tribal governments (and their political subdivisions) recognized by the Department of the Interior
Applicants may also apply through a fiscal sponsor
The work of the applicant must be aligned with the mission and values of the Sewall Foundation
Eligible organizations may apply regardless of their funding history with the Sewall Foundation
Sewall Foundation does not fund: direct or grassroots lobbying or political campaign activities.

For more information, visit EBSF.