Funding
Strategic Investment Grants.
Heart of Maine United Way’s Strategic Investment Grants serve as the primary vehicle for funding programs that align with our community goals across our 6-county region. These grants, distributed every three years, are pivotal in driving positive changes in the lives of 1 in 3 individuals across our six-county service area.
With a commitment to transparency, community involvement, and multi-year support, these grants empower organizations to address pressing issues, choose shared community indicators, and contribute to our Opportunity 2028 Bold Goals.
2025 Funding Opportunities
Impact Grants
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- Amount: $10,001–$50,000 annually
- Duration: Three years
- Purpose: Supports programs aligned with Opportunity 2028 goals and shared community indicator
- Eligibility: Programs demonstrating measurable outcomes and significant community impact
- Due Date: January 13, 2025 @ 4:00 PM
Fast Track Grants
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- Amount: $2,500–$10,000 annually
- Duration: Three years
- Purpose: Designed for smaller programs or initiatives with high impact and measurable outcomes.
- Eligibility: Ideal for organizations seeking smaller-scale funding with fewer grant requirements.
- Due Date: January 13, 2025 @ 4:00 PM
Transformative Impact Grants
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- Amount: $85,000 annually (1 award)
- Duration: Three years
- Purpose: Funds a collaborative initiative led by a backbone organization, focusing on long-term, sustainable change for youth (ages 0–18).
- Eligibility: Requires a coalition of three or more organizations with a shared vision and objectives. Not counted toward the 4-program or $80,000 agency cap. LOI required.
- LOI Due Date: January 8, 2025 @ 4:00 PM
Successful applications will receive multi-year funding, contingent upon the availability of funds and program performance
Highlights of our funding
Every three years, HoMEUW distributes Strategic Investment Grants to health and human service programs throughout our six-county service area: Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo, and Washington Counties.
Community volunteers, trained in our scoring process, review, score, and determine which programs will be funded. Volunteer to be a reviewer! All reviewers undergo training to ensure consistency and fairness in evaluating applications.
Programs will align with Opportunity 2028 Shared Community Indicators as their performance measures, replacing the previous use of individual program logic models.
Eligibility Criteria
Heart of Maine United Way’s Strategic Investment Grants are open to organizations dedicated to driving meaningful impact in our six-county service area. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a commitment to transparency, equity, and measurable outcomes, aligning their work with our Opportunity 2028 Bold Goals. Beyond meeting basic requirements such as nonprofit status and financial reporting, funded partners must embrace values of inclusivity and community focus. This ensures that the programs we support not only address critical needs but also advance equity and serve marginalized populations.
Volunteer Review
Heart of Maine United Way invites community members to play a pivotal role in our Strategic Investment Grant process by becoming a grant reviewer. This critical volunteer opportunity supports our mission by ensuring thoughtful, equitable funding decisions that align with our Bold Goals. Grant reviewers participate in a structured process, including training, application reviews, and program interviews, contributing approximately 15 hours of their time. Volunteers bring diverse perspectives to evaluate program strengths, challenges, and measurable outcomes. By joining us, you can help drive meaningful change while gaining a deeper understanding of the needs and opportunities in our community.
Partnership with united way
Heart of Maine United Way invites community members to play a pivotal role in our Strategic Investment Grant process by becoming a grant reviewer. This critical volunteer opportunity supports our mission by ensuring thoughtful, equitable funding decisions that align with our Bold Goals. Grant reviewers participate in a structured process, including training, application reviews, and program interviews, contributing approximately 15 hours of their time. Volunteers bring diverse perspectives to evaluate program strengths, challenges, and measurable outcomes. By joining us, you can help drive meaningful change while gaining a deeper understanding of the needs and opportunities in our community.
KEY APPLICATION DATES & TRAININGS 2025
All agencies should attend ONE information session. Weekly drop-in sessions during the application period are available for grant questions and technical support. Registration is not required.
Important Dates:
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- Zoom Information Sessions: Our live sessions have already occurred, but please find the materials below.
- December 9, 2024: Applications open for Impact and Fast Track Grants at 10:00 AM. The Letter of Interest (LOI) for the Transformative Impact Grant will also be available.
- Weekly Drop-In Support Sessions: Open throughout the application period for general questions and technical assistance.
- Mondays (December 16 – January 13) 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Join Zoom
- January 8, 2025: LOI for Transformative Impact Grant due by 4:00 PM.
- January 13, 2025: Applications for Impact and Fast Track Grants are due by 4:00 PM.
- February 18, 2025: Applications for Transformative Impact Grant due by 4:00 PM
- June 2025: Award decisions and notifications.
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