PORTLAND – Maine Preservation and the Maine Community Foundation have announced the creation of the Maine Steeples Project, a grantmaking initiative that will help preserve church steeples statewide.

The program seeks to match local efforts to preserve church steeples of historic, cultural and community significance to communities in Maine. A total of $50,000 a year will be awarded on a matching basis in two categories: $10,000 for condition assessments and $40,000 for steeple restoration grants.

A Maine Community Foundation donor, interested in protecting Maine’s heritage, stepped forward to initiate the project. “The Maine Steeples Project is a great fit for the foundation’s community building mission,” said Jennifer Southard, director of philanthropic services with Maine Community Foundation.

The grant process is two-fold: a formal assessment is a prerequisite for a steeple restoration grant. Application forms are available at www.mainecf.org. Applications for assessment grants are accepted on a rolling basis; the deadline for steeple restoration grants is March 15.

For more information on assessment grants, contact Eflin at 775-3652 or [email protected] For information on restoration grants, contact Southard at 761-2440 or [email protected].