The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation’s Rural Partnerships Grants program supports efforts to create thriving, healthy, and resilient rural communities in Maine. The foundation funds collaborative infrastructure and partnerships that address systemic challenges with community-led solutions. The 2025 grant cycle prioritizes projects in the Katahdin Region and Washington County, with an eventual expansion to additional regions and cross-sector partnerships by 2027. The foundation’s funding approach emphasizes collective impact and sustainable change beyond what a single organization could achieve independently.

The grant program supports a wide range of initiatives, including affordable housing, broadband expansion, climate change planning, community and economic development, food systems, human health and social services, natural resource-based economic opportunities, regional planning, two-generation (2Gen) approaches, Wabanaki partnerships, and workforce development. Grants are awarded to individual organizations, collaborative efforts involving multiple partners, and transformational projects that address critical regional needs and create systemic change.

For 2025, the total available funding is $2,885,000. Individual organizations may apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $60,000 per year, while collaborative projects can receive up to $200,000 annually. Higher funding levels may be available for organizations serving as hubs for federal grants or those with special capital, operational, or project needs. Transformational opportunities receive variable funding, typically for one to two years. Some applicants may qualify for both individual and collaborative funding.

Applications for the 2025 funding cycle are due by February 13, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Grant decisions will be announced by the end of April 2025. The foundation provides resources to assist applicants, including a Grant Application Guide and a list of application questions. First-time applicants are encouraged to review the Creating an Account Guide for step-by-step instructions on the submission process. Applications must be submitted online, and returning applicants can resume in-progress submissions through the grant portal.

The Sewall Foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrate strong community partnerships and long-term sustainability. Past grantees include organizations such as Our Katahdin, which has revitalized the former mill town of Millinocket, and the Sunrise County Economic Council, which supports economic development in Washington County. The foundation’s support enables rural communities to implement solutions that enhance economic opportunities, infrastructure, and social well-being.

For more information or technical assistance, applicants can contact the foundation at info@sewallfoundation.org or call (207) 865-3810. Additional details and resources can be found on the Sewall Foundation’s website.