The Keystone Grants program, offered by the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, focuses on grassroots and community-led efforts that address critical issues of environmental and racial justice in Maine. The program supports organizations that utilize advocacy, community organizing, and strategic communications to build a robust civic engagement infrastructure. By funding organizations that provide capacity-building support to grassroots initiatives, the foundation aims to advance a just, sustainable, and healthy Maine.

Keystone Grants prioritize work that meets at least three of the following criteria:

A commitment to environmental justice and racial justice
Grassroots or community-led efforts, involving people directly impacted by the issues they are addressing
Provision of capacity and technical support to grassroots initiatives
Efforts focused on creating a just, healthy, and sustainable future, primarily through advocacy, community organizing, civic engagement, and movement-building
Work that is statewide or has a clear impact in Maine
In 2025, the foundation has $1,500,000 in available funding for this program. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $50,000 for individual organizations. Collaborative efforts with multiple partners can request up to $200,000. The foundation particularly values organizations led by Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), rural Mainers, and women, as well as those working collaboratively across sectors.

Applications for the 2025 cycle are due by February 13, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Grant decisions will be announced by the end of April 2025. Applicants are encouraged to review the Sewall Grant Application Guide and Creating an Account Guide for detailed instructions. All applications must be submitted through the Sewall Foundation Online Grant Portal.

For additional information or questions, applicants can contact Nyalat Biliew, Community Partner, or email info@sewallfoundation.org.