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If you believe in giving people the hope, opportunity, and resources to tackle the root causes of economic, social, and environmental problems, welcome to Maine Initiatives, a fund for change. We’re a community of donors, activists, grantmakers, and grantees working together for social change. Our support of grassroots organizing and advocacy is making a difference in Maine.

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2009 Grants for Change

Yes, we can - and did!

This year, in the face of a recession that has rocked the world of philanthropy, Maine Initiatives has succeeded in making more major grants than ever.

It happened thanks to the unflagging generosity of our donors. Through Grants for Change, which grew out of our fifteen-year old major grants program, we made our first $75,000 three-year grant - a substantial leap from the $40,000 three-year grants we were making a year ago.

We also broke new ground by offering one-year grants in the $5,000-to-$15,000 range and smaller rapid-response “Lightning” grants that are putting dollars on the street for immediate one-time needs.

2009 Grantees

New Grants for Change grantees:
Maine People’s Alliance: $75,000 ($25,000 per year for three years)
EqualityMaine Foundation: $10,000
Centro Latino: $5,000
Defending Water for Life in Maine: $5,000
Engage Maine: $5,000
Kennebec Valley Organization: $5,000
League of Young Voters: $5,000
Maine Citizens for Clean Elections: $5,000
Maine Labor Group on Health: $5,000
Preble Street Homeless Voices for Justice: $5,000

Second- and third-year grants:
Food AND Medicine
ILAP (Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project)
Maine Fair Trade Campaign
Maine Women’s Policy Center
ME PASA (Maine Personal Assistance Services Program)
PICA (Peace through Inter-American Community Action)
Southern Maine Workers Center

Lightning grants (to date):
Maine Interfaith Youth Alliance
EqualityMaine Foundation
Tengo Voz
Global Network Against Nuclear Weapons and Power
League of Young Voters
Justice Action Group
Peace Action Maine
Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine
Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine
Muskie Fund for Legal Services
Frances Perkins Center

Meet all our major and Grants for Change grantees, 1994 to present