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About the Quality of Place Initiative

Inspiration for the Initiative

Following the publication of GrowSmart Maine’s report by the Brookings Institution, “Charting Maine’s Future: An Action Plan for Sustainable Prosperity and Quality Places“, EFN steering committee members agreed that the report’s key concept: “quality of place,” conveys the essential relationship between Maine’s environmental well-being and its economic prosperity and overall quality of life.

To explore how philanthropy might best support the implementation of the report recommendations, EFN met with members of the Governor’s Council on Maine’s Quality of Place and with representatives from the business, nonprofit, and government sectors. EFN now proposes to apply its shared financial resources and knowledge to identify and support practical solutions to advance ideas from theory to action and results.

EFN recognizes that regional and statewide efforts are already underway or being planned, and that some, including the Governor’s Quality of Place Council, are committed to advancing selected recommendations but may be undercapitalized or face other barriers to success.

Goals for the Initiative

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:

Quality of Place and the link between built and natural environments achieve broad-based, statewide support.
Regional collaborations achieve greater impact and demonstrate the efficacy of partnerships in supporting and/or protecting built and natural places.
Nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, business, and philanthropy work together to implement Quality of Place strategies; knowledge, and resources are shared among and across the sectors.
Best Quality of Place practices are identified and promoted.
Barriers and funding gaps for effective Quality of Place projects are identified and addressed.

About the Goals for the Initiative

Quality of Place Advisory Committee

About the Governor’s Council on
Quality of Place Recommendations

Application Guidelines (2009)

Letter of Inquiry Guidelines (2010)

2009 Grantees & Semi-Finalists

Letter of Inquiry Synopsis (October, 2009)