Submitted by backbaybilly t3_yw8crd in Maine
I (foolishly) volunteered to seek grants for a non-profit organization in Cumberland County. This is for a food bank that distributes food to people in need. No paperwork, no questions asked. Serving over 500 families per week. Specifically, they are looking for a grant to purchase a generator for their building which is undergoing a major renovation. I've done some research but does anyone have any suggestions?
Maine Community Foundation might be a good place to start.
Good Shepherd Food Bank has emergency grants up to $5k per year for things exactly like this.
Thank you. I believe that we already have a grant from them this year. I will investigate.
Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation ?
Reach out to your local Rotary clubs
Have you determined the make/model and install cost from a local dealer? Permits, fuel source, electrical work? You have a very achievable goal, so define it exactly. Then ask the dealer for a charitable discount, talk to your bank manager about their community grant program, talk to the rotary club, and then you could have half covered. Ask everyone for referrals, and consider hitting up the local newspaper for a short article outlining need and ask people to donate directly.
Thank you. I will be speaking this week with the owner of the electrical company on the job. I will start with him and go from there.
I have looked into that foundation but the grant cycle is closed for this year. I will certainly investigate when it reopens next year.
The USDA has a few that I used to write for a somewhat similar circumstance. Their micro grants for food security may help or they have one for fresh fruit and veggies.
Maine grant watch, grants.gov and chamber of commerce if you have access are all powerful tools.
https://www.walmart.com/sparkgood apparently allows check out round ups to go to local charities that sign up.
The food bank is in Harrison. Currently serving around 500 families. I do have some information on the towns served and the numbers of individuals and families.
Thank you.
You’re welcome. They have four grants programs now so it could be different. This program was just released maybe two months ago. I would also recommend signing up for the Maine Philanthropy mailing list or even getting a membership for $60. They realize the next three months of foundations grant opportunities each month and they also have a directory of local grant makers and you can get free online access to the Foundation Directory Online.
Sewall foundation may also be a good place to check. And I think someone else mentioned contacting local banks. Find their community engagement director on linked in and ask for a meeting to learn more about their work.
This might help. I had some success when raising funds for my local lions club.
Have you considered requesting that the Town of Harrison, the County and other municipalities where individuals live who are served by the food bank utilize their ARPA dollars for this project? It seems right in line with the goals of those funds.
Where would I start with that? Should I approach the town manager? Can organizations apply for that money or is it up to the town to dole it out?
You could contact the [Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation] (https://masoniccharitablefoundation.org/). They can probably put you in touch with a lodge in your area, who may be able to donate to your cause.
My lodge donates thousands each year to local charities, including a couple food banks. The foundation can match our lodges contribution 2 to 1, so when we donate $500 the group gets $1,500.
It depends on a number of factors- but town managers and county administrators would be able to let you know if there are funds remaining.
I will investigate. Thank you for the info.
NoSound5607 t1_iwi7839 wrote
Candid’s Foundation Directory is probably the best resource for finding grant opportunities. Individual access is pricey, but often libraries will maintain a subscription for use at their locations.
Most banks will have some kind of community philanthropy because of the Community Reinvestment Act. A lot of them are closed applications, but sometimes they’ll take unsolicited proposals. If they don’t have a relationship with your organization, they aren’t likely to give more than a few thousand dollars. The key with them, and other corporations, is giving them access to volunteer opportunities which food banks usually have in spades.
Good luck! The writing part is usually easy - it’s finding the grants that’s hard. Make sure you have easy access to the food bank’s financial records, specifically their 990 and audited financials.