An applicant is eligible to apply if they meet the following criteria:

• Is a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, a school, or is a unit of municipal, county or tribal government, legally established in the state of Maine. Non-501(c)(3) applicants can not apply under a fiscal sponsor or agent.
• Operates within the state of Maine.
• Has a valid UEI number (www.sam.gov/content/duns-uei). You cannot receive a grant without a valid UEI.
• If applicable, has completed all Final Reports, required by the Maine Arts Commission for previous awards.
• Is compliant with organization requirements on both the state and federal level.

Notes:

• An applicant cannot be awarded funds for the Organization Operations Grant (FY2024) and the Organization Project Grant (FY2025).

Eligible Expenses

Awards may be used for the creation of work and the advancement of their artistic goals for things like:

• Materials or equipment
• Productions or installations
• Planning and preparation
• Tours or Exhibition costs
• Workshops
• Hiring artists
• Collaborative programming with other organizations
• Costs for ensuring your programs are accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities

Ineligible Expenses:

• Debt or loan repayment
• Equipment purchases over $5,000
• Home office or home studio rent and expenses
• Ongoing and operational business expenses
• Projects that support or oppose a particular political party or candidate for public office
• Projects that are exclusive to members of a particular religious faith group

Grant applications are reviewed on a competitive basis using the following criteria:

1. Impact (35%) Evidence of community impact and engagement.
2. Budget & Planning (35%) as it relates to the proposed project, partners involved, it’s budget, and goals with clear descriptions and details of the outcome.
3. Artistic Excellence (20%) of the project and it's goals as demonstrated in skills and techniques, the project's creative process shows a unique vision or perspective, and the work is meaningful to an intended audience.
4. Overall Quality (10%) of application. All components of the application add to a clear understanding of a cohesive project.

All applications and materials must be submitted using the online Application Portal. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to carefully review these details and call us with questions prior to beginning an application. It’s important to give yourself plenty of time to write a strong application, so be sure to start the process early!

• Create a Maine Arts Commission account. Create Now! Once you start an application, you can make changes anytime before you submit. Get your application going by using the application worksheet!
• Answer application questions (to be competed in the application portal):

1. Provide the mission and a brief history of your organization. (500 characters)
2. Clearly describe the project, how the funding will be used, and its goals. It may be helpful to include a timeline. (2,000 characters)
3. Explain how this funding will impact your community and the intended audience. We encourage efforts of inclusion with populations that have historically under-resourced due to geography, gender, race/ethnicity, disability, or socio-economic status. (2,000 characters)

• Complete the budget form
• Upload support materials

1.   Required Support Materials:

• Copy of IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter.
• Most recently completed federal tax return (990, or 990-EZ if applicable).
• Resume, bio or CV for all key members involved in the project.
• List of board members, including their professional affiliations.

Guidelines for Required Support Materials:

• All required documents should be in PDF format.

2.   Optional Support Materials:

• Additional information that supports the application (artistic samples and/or testimonials).

Guidelines for Optional Support Materials:

• Only up to 4 total support materials will be reviewed.

* For ANY link submitted for review: 1 Link = 1 Support Material. For example, 1 link should go directly to 1 image, 1 video, 1 text sample.

Applications missing any of the required materials or containing more than 4 optional support materials cannot be accepted.

The Maine Arts Commission may use submitted materials solely for the non-commercial promotion of the artist and/or Maine Arts Commission programs.

Submitted applications are first reviewed by staff for completion, eligibility, and funding guidelines. Applications are then reviewed by a diverse panel of arts and culture professionals. Panelists review each application and submit scores based on the review criteria (see below). These scores help us determine how we will disperse the funding.

Review Criteria

Grant applications are reviewed on a competitive basis using the following criteria:

1. Impact (35%) Evidence of community impact and engagement.
2. Budget & Planning (35%) as it relates to the proposed project, partners involved, it’s budget, and goals with clear descriptions and details of the outcome.
3. Artistic Excellence (20%) of the project and it's goals as demonstrated in skills and techniques, the project's creative process shows a unique vision or perspective, and the work is meaningful to an intended audience.
4. Overall Quality (10%) of application. All components of the application add to a clear understanding of a cohesive project.

Award Process

If your application is funded, you will be asked to sign a letter of agreement with the Maine Arts Commission, and you must comply with all requirements stated in that agreement. Your award money may take up to 12 weeks from the time you are notified. This means you may need to pay costs upfront with your own money and then be reimbursed when you receive funding from us. Award funds can be used to reimburse past eligible project costs incurred between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.

All applicants are notified, whether approved or declined, by email. If you receive an award, you will also receive future emails with next steps.