Grant Program Information
UMC works to empower Midcoast Maine nonprofits through finance and guidance, supporting a network of resources stronger than any single organization. UMC’s primary focus areas are food, housing, health & safety and economic security.
UMC provides grants to local nonprofits for program and operational needs. UMC’s competitive grant process is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofits and groups in Knox and Waldo counties whose mission fulfills the needs of individuals or families falling within our four focus areas. Note that UMC does not fund capital campaigns, endowments, debt, lobbying, annual appeals, sponsorship of events, conferences, seminars and does not fund private schools.
Grant applications are thoroughly reviewed by UMC’s Grants Committee, with final decisions on funding recommendations made by the UMC Board of Directors.
As grant writers know, not all grant applications are successful and there are many reasons why a grant may not be funded. We will provide constructive feedback when we can.
While we aim to fully fund proposals making an impact in our focus areas, please recognize that the total requests for funding still exceed our available grant fund.
UMC GRANTS PROGRAM FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The application period is from Mar. 1 – 31. Applications must be completed through our online portal, and submitted with all required attachments. We do not accept paper applications or proposals. Your completed online application must be received by 5 p.m. EST on March 31.
Applications are reviewed by UMC’s Grants Committee. The Grants Committee performs an initial review, looking into any questions or concerns that arise. After a final review of all materials, the committee makes funding recommendations to the UMC Board. UMC’s Board then discusses and votes on the Grants Committee’s final recommendations.
General operating support is funding that can be used in any way the organization needs. It allows grantees to nimbly meet challenges throughout the year and apply funding as needed to accomplish their mission. This option is for applicants whose mission falls securely within one or more of UMC’s areas of focus; Food, Housing, Health & Safety, and Economic Security.
Program grants are considered for an agency whose mission is broader than our areas of focus, but one or more programs fall securely within them. Agencies are encouraged to consult with UMC about which type of grant to seek if they have questions prior to submitting an application.
Grants vary in scale in relationship to the proposal and focus area addressed and the philanthropic budget available for the year. The minimum grant awarded is generally $1,000 and the maximum is $25,000. In 2024 the average grant size was $15,000.
We communicate our funding decision after the Board votes on the Grants Committee recommendations. Grantees are usually notified on or around the beginning of September.
The UMC grant process is competitive in nature, with a priority on making a meaningful impact in our areas of focus within Knox and Waldo Counties. We regret we cannot yet fund all applications we receive.
Please call our office at 207-2367-2299 or email Rebecca at admin@unitedmidcoastcharities.org and we’ll do our best to answer your questions as quickly as possible.
2025 Grant Schedule
March 1: Grant Application period opens.
March 31: Application period closes.
April 10 thru July 31: Board reviews, site visits, and selected agency presentations occur.
July 1: Final reports due from grantees who received 2024 funding.
August 19: UMC Board votes on Grants Committee final award recommendations.
August 25: Results letters sent.
PLEASE NOTE: Interim grant reports are no longer required but final grant reports for previous year funding are due on July 1
Useful Application Resources
- Download a sample application to review questions and gather information. If you’d like a Word version of the application form, please contact Rebecca at admin@unitedmidcoastcharities.org. Bear in mind that you can only copy-and-paste your information from the Word version into the online application template. You must complete the online template for your application.
- Presentation slides from our Goals & Objectives Workshop – call us for more info!
- Quick guide about How to Write Goals and Objectives for Grants