Harvest Fund
Purpose
The Harvest Fund at Maine Initiatives provides grants to Maine organizations working for the development and well-being of natural and human resources through sustainable agriculture and food systems practices and policies that are environmentally sound, humane, economically viable and socially just.
The Harvest Fund supports organizations or projects that:
- involve advocacy and grassroots organizing on food and farming issues that address social justice, small and mid-sized farm profitability, community health and vitality, and environmental protection,
- address the root causes of hunger and a lack of access to healthy food, including food production, by poor, marginalized, underserved and special needs individuals and communities,
- promote policies which advance sustainable agriculture and food systems on the regional and local levels,
- address the need for living wages and safe working conditions in the food industry and agricultural sector,
- provide infrastructure support needed to increase the consumption and production of locally and regionally grown food,
- improve the health of individuals and communities by increasing local food consumption,
- create opportunities for broad networking and collaboration among organizations working to promote sustainable food and agriculture systems, or
- leverage other funds for projects and activities related to the overall purpose of the Harvest Fund.
Types and sizes of grants
The Harvest Fund provides one-year grants of up to $10,000 for specific projects and core operating support. Organizations may receive one Harvest Fund grant in any twelve-month period. Grants of $5,000 or more are reserved for efforts with broad regional or statewide reach. Community gardens and K-12 school activities may receive up to $500. These grants are for supplies and materials only and represent just a small portion of the Harvest Fund’s focus.
The Harvest Fund strives for an equitable geographic distribution of its resources throughout Maine. We encourage new initiatives involving new communities.
To be eligible
- Only Maine-based organizations may apply to the Harvest Fund.
- Applicants must be tax-exempt or have a tax-exempt sponsor.
- The Harvest Fund does not fund individuals or for-profit businesses, including farms.
- All proposals must include an evaluation component
- We fund organizations and projects that have strong local support.
- Projects that involve growing food must use natural systems: no synthetic fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.
To apply
Provide:
1. Cover sheet and budget. (No cover letter, please.)
2. Narrative: In no more than three pages, tell us:
- the mission and history of your organization.
- the project’s purpose.
- expected results and long-term impacts.
- how the project will sustain itself beyond the funding period (if applicable).
- how it meets the Harvest Fund’s criteria.
- how results are to be measured and evaluated.
3. Financial statement: Your most recent financial statement or annual report.
4. Personnel: A list of key volunteers, board of directors, and current staff.
5. (Optional) Support materials such as newsletters, brochures, press clippings, photos, or letters of support.
6. IRS 501(c)(3) designation letter or proof of other tax-exempt status for your group or your fiscal sponsor.
7. Statement that your organization does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, political affiliation, or religious beliefs (One copy only.)
Submission and deadlines
Submit one copy of your application to info@maineinitiatives.org or:
The Harvest Fund at Maine Initiatives
295 Water Street, Suite 100
P.O. Box 2248
Augusta, ME 04338
It should be emailed, postmarked, or hand-delivered by the second Friday of February or August.
Call us to make sure we’ve received your application. We generally announce grants within sixty days.
For more information
To discuss proposal ideas, call 207-622-6294 or e-mail info@maineinitiatives.org.
