A project of the Maine Community Foundation and the Maine Philanthropy Center
There is a printable version of the Guidelines and Procedures available for download here.
Deadline: June 22, 2009
Through financial support and learning opportunities, EFN’s Quality of Place Initiative seeks to advance projects that strengthen the link between the natural and built environments, emphasize public engagement, and, in the case of collaborations, recognize the elements required to build and sustain them. The Initiative is designed to achieve the following outcomes:
Successful grantees will have opportunities to learn from one another and to share their results and experiences with funders, media, and policy makers. Therefore, this initiative requires an applicant’s commitment to contribute to the outcomes of the initiative We anticipate having at least two gatherings per year with additional activities developed in partnership with grantees Grantees will be compensated for additional expenses incurred.
The Environmental Funders Network has raised funds to provide adequate funding to achieve the outcomes mentioned above. Our intent is to fund a small number of initiatives that hold the greatest promise for change. Grants are expected to fall in the $20,000-$100,000 range. The Fund will consider multi-year funding.
As a general rule, we will not make grants for capital projects, endowment campaigns, or land acquisition. We encourage applicants to include expenses related to working with other organizations (e.g., facilitation, travel, and meeting costs). Additionally, we encourage collaborative efforts to include budget items that will be distributed to partners (see directions on the budget template).
Submission Requirements (by email):
1. Grant application form
2. Current list of directors/trustees and officers of applicant.
3. Current year operating budget, current profit and loss statement, audited financial statements (if available), and Form 990
4. Project budget: financial details must include funding sources (received, committed, and/or requested to date) and expenses. Please use the grant application form’s budget worksheet.
5. In no more than five pages, 12 point font, and 0.8 inch margins respond to the following in order and identified with the corresponding number and title:
I. Project Description
II. Opportunity to Advance Quality of Place Recommendations
III. Potential Impact
IV. Demonstrate innovative practices and/or tools
V. Collaboration Readiness (Please answer the following questions if your project involves a collaboration. If not, skip to section VI.)
VI. Organizational Readiness
VII. Project Timeline
Please do not submit any other materials at this time.
Where to submit:
Please submit materials electronically in one e-mail to grants@mainecf.org by June 22, 2009. Please write in the subject line: Quality of Place Application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. THANK YOU.

September 15, 2009
Grantees Announced
August 2009
Advisory Committee makes grant decisions.
June 22, 2009
Proposals are due.
May 2009
Advisory Committee reviews 97 letters of inquiry and invites 17 projects to submit full proposals.
April 17, 2009
Letters of Inquiry are due.
March 2009
EFN announces new Quality of Place grant.
About the Goals for the Initiative
About the Governor’s Council on
Quality of Place Recommendations