PORTLAND – Nonprofit and public organizations seeking funding for projects that draw upon community strengths and foster collaboration are encouraged to apply to the Maine Community Foundation’s Community Building Grants Program.

Grants are made from the Oxford County Fund, a permanent fund restricted to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) tax status or public agencies serving Oxford County.

The next deadline for submitting grant applications is Jan. 15, 2008. Applicants will be notified in late March. Application, guidelines and a list of recent grants can be found at www.mainecf.org.

The Oxford County Committee will review proposals that support new initiatives or projects rather than fund on-going support. Projects should focus on the assets and strengths of the community.

Applicants are encouraged to build partnerships between and among community groups to plan, advance and evaluate a proposed project, including involving people they hope to serve in the project’s design and implementation.

The Oxford County Fund is one of 11 county or regional funds established at MaineCF that provide charitable resources to serve local communities.

A statewide organization with offices in Ellsworth and Portland, the Maine Community Foundation partners with donors and community groups to strengthen Maine communities. For more information, call 1-877-700-6800.