Maine Cancer Foundation (MCF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing cancer incidence and mortality rates throughout the state of Maine. One hundred percent of funds raised by MCF are used to benefit the people of Maine, emphasizing support for cancer prevention, early detection, and improved patient outcomes. The foundation is particularly committed to addressing health inequities by ensuring all Mainers, including those in underserved and marginalized communities, have access to prevention, screening, and treatment resources. MCF’s mission is rooted in fostering prevention practices, increasing cancer screenings, and improving patient outcomes through enhanced access to care.

The 2025 Cancer Prevention Grant from Maine Cancer Foundation seeks to support evidence-based programs that reduce the risk of cancer for Maine residents. The grant specifically funds projects that focus on seven key cancer prevention areas: alcohol use, arsenic exposure, HPV vaccinations, obesity prevention, radon exposure, sun safety, and tobacco use prevention and treatment. Funded programs are expected to utilize best practices backed by research and to include measurable goals and outcomes. Priority will be given to projects addressing social determinants of health and serving populations that experience barriers to care, such as rural residents, racial and ethnic minorities, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

The funding scope allows for grant requests of up to $40,000 per year for up to two years, with a maximum total award of $80,000. Proposals are encouraged to implement policy, systems, and environmental changes; collaborate with other organizations in Maine; pilot new evidence-based ideas; and expand prevention efforts in geographically underserved areas. Projects must directly benefit Maine residents, and organizations must be 501(c)3 nonprofits, educational institutions, government entities, or other public or nonprofit health-related organizations. Funds cannot be used for direct individual support, business investments, programs outside of Maine, capital campaigns, or endowment contributions.

The application process requires submission through MCF’s online grants portal. Applicants who have not applied in the past year must create a new account. All applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on Friday, May 30, 2025, and awards will be announced in August 2025. MCF encourages applicants to contact them prior to submission to review project ideas and eligibility, and draft applications may be submitted for feedback before the deadline. Successful applicants will be required to report on their outcomes during the grant period.

Applications will be reviewed by a grant review committee, which may request additional information from applicants during the review process. MCF emphasizes geographic distribution in its funding decisions and may limit the number of awards to any one institution or system. Funded projects must align with MCF’s mission, and all results and benefits must remain in the public domain for the benefit of Maine residents. Organizations that discriminate based on race, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation are ineligible for funding.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to Tricia Jamiol, Program Coordinator, at tricia@mainecancer.org with questions about eligibility, project ideas, or the application process. More information and the application portal can be accessed through https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=mainecancer. The use of MCF’s new grant management system, implemented in 2024, means that applicants who have not applied in the past year will need to set up a new account in the portal.