ELLSWORTH — Nonprofit and public organizations seeking funding for projects that draw on the strengths of the community and foster collaboration are encouraged to apply to the Western Mountains Fund, part of the Maine Community Foundation’s Community Building Grants Program.

The deadline for applying for grants is Jan. 15, 2010. Organizations will receive notification in late March.

In the most recent grant cycle, the Western Mountains Committee received 14 proposals requesting approximately $60,000. The committee awarded nine grants totaling $38,100 with an average grant size of $4,200.

New guidelines for MaineCF’s Community Building Grant Program will go into effect in 2010. Organizations planning to apply for grants from the Western Mountains Fund should visit the “for nonprofits” section at www.mainecf.org to review the new guidelines, download the new application, and register for an informational Webinar.

For questions or for more information, visit www.mainecf.org or call 1-877-700-6800.