THE RANGE OF OUR GRANTS IS AS WIDE AS THE NEEDS OF
SOUTHERN MAINE’S DIVERSE COMMUNITIES.
SEE OUR GRANT-MAKING HISTORY
1. APPLYING FOR A GRANT
Nonprofit organizations that benefit individuals living in southern Maine can request support by applying for a responsive grant. Before you begin, please review the guidelines and instructions below. We encourage you to contact us with any questions and to discuss how your program might fit with our priorities.
Eligibility & Priorities
Organizations must be a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, located in or serving Cumberland and/or York counties, Maine, and addressing our current priorities.
Timetable & Instructions
Our two-step online process has the following deadlines for each application period:
| Initial Inquiry | Full Application | Decision |
| Dec. 1 - Jan. 15 | March 1 | June |
| Jun. 1 - Jul. 15 | September 1 | November |
Deadlines that fall on a weekend or holiday are extended to the next work day.
2. APPLICATION REVIEW & EVALUATION
The Sam L. Cohen Foundation receives more compelling requests than can be approved at each semi-annual meeting of the board of directors. Alignment with the guidelines alone does not ensure that a grant will be approved. When evaluating a proposal, staff and directors look to answer a variety of questions.
3. GRANT REPORTING
We maintain a continued interest in the organizations and projects we support. Your report enables us to review our grant-making programs and evaluate more effectively the impact of our grants. In most cases, final grant reports are due 13 months after the award date They are submitted through your portal on our online system.