The Maine Community Foundation’s Conservation for All grant program, launched last year, seeks applications from organizations and projects dedicated to helping Maine people access and connect to the outdoors.

The program provides general support grants to organizations and projects that build strong connections between people in Maine and its land and water. Grants up to $15,000 are available.

The deadline for grant applications is Aug. 2. The application and a list of recent grants are available at mainecf.org. Applicants are encouraged to read eligibility and grant guidelines.

Questions should be directed to Senior Program Officer Maggie Drummond-Bahl at [email protected] or 207-412-0839.

In 2020, the Conservation for All grant program awarded more than $200,000 to 18 different projects in all regions of the state. Local grantees included:

• Friends of L. C. Bates Museum, Hinckley, to develop and distribute engaging “Kid’s Kits” and offer outdoor experiences that connect students and families to the environment and its stewardship in collaboration with teachers: $3,500;

• Friends of Messalonskee, Oakland, to create more access to the Messalonskee Lake Watershed through conservation activities, including an invasive plant paddle program encouraging underserved members of the community: $12,500;

• Loon Echo Land Trust, Bridgton, to connect communities to conservation through land protection and stewardship, outreach, education, and universal access improvements, and to increase organizational equity, diversity, and inclusion through board training: $7,500;

• Mahoosuc Pathways, Inc., Bethel, to add connecting lands to the Bethel Community Forest as part of the Chadbourne Tree Farms purchase: $15,000;

• Somerset Woods Trustees, Skowhegan, to partner with Skowhegan Outdoors at Main Street Skowhegan to increase public use of Somerset Woods Trustees conservation lands by a broader spectrum of community: $15,000; and

• Tree Street Youth, Lewiston, to provide outdoor exposure and enrichment experiences for at-risk and immigrant/refugee youth: $6,500.

Headquartered in Ellsworth, with additional personnel in Portland, Dover-Foxcroft, Rockport, and Mars Hill, the foundation works with donors and other partners to provide strong investments, personalized service, local expertise, and strategic giving to improve the quality of life for all Maine people.