Sample Grants
Below you will find a sample grant from each category the Foundation supports. This information is provided to illustrate how eligibility is determined and how each particular project meets the priorities of the Foundation. These grants are only examples of eligible applicants and are not intended to represent all projects of interest to the Foundation. When reviewing this information, it is important to keep in mind that eligibility is based on thepurpose of the organization, not the purpose of the project. As always, if you have questions, please call the Program Officer.
Category: Education
Challenger Learning Center of Maine
Missions for Maine
- Awarded: March 2011
- Award Amount: $20,000
- Areas of Interest: Education, STEM, systemic change
Description:This program uses space exploration as a theme to create STEM-based learning experiences for grades 4-10. Courses are integrated into the science curriculum and meet Maine Core Learning Standards and 21st Century skills. The Center offers realistic simulations of mission control and an orbiting space station where students join teams to work together toward solving the space mission's innovative science and math lessons. The goal of this program is to foster long-term interest in mathematics, science and technology, and motivate students to pursue careers in those fields. Since it's opening in 2004 more than 30,000 Maine students have participated in the Challenger science program. In addition, teachers from across the state received professional training through workshops and pre- and post- mission curricula to integrate into their science classes. Through this grant the Center is able to serve an additional 65 schools resulting in 1,950 more students who hopefully have become inspired by education in science, math, engineering and technology.
Category: Health
St. Joseph Hospital
Creative Change of Behavior for Diabetes Patients with Anxiety and Depression
- Awarded: March 2010
- Amount Awarded: $12,000
- Areas of Interest: Health, increased effectiveness of medical care, decreased health costs
Description: In the last decade, St. Joseph's service area of Bangor, Maine has seen a rise in the rate of diabetes from 5% of the population to 15%. This growing epidemic is the focus of the Hospital's Diabetes Institute of Behavioral Medicine as it seeks to educate and serve families grappling with diabetes. As such, the Institute proposed a six-month pilot project to introduce diabetes patients who also experience anxiety and depression to a new, self-management program that uses the latest computer technology. Participating patients have access to a diabetologist, nutritionist and educator. Each patient receives a handheld iPod containing software applications to assist with decision-making concerning weight loss goals, glucose control, exercise monitoring, and nutrition consumption. After the 8 month study period the 19 participants lost a combined total of 173.7 lbs. The project received positive feedback from participants and St. Joseph will expand it to offer a "Healing Your Food Cravings" program twice annually.
Category: Cultural/Arts
Berwick Public Library
Online Public Access Catalog Upgrade
- Awarded: June 2010
- Amount Awarded: $10,000
- Areas of Interest: Arts & Culture, collaboration, effective use of funds
Description: This project is a partnership among Berwick Public Library, South Berwick Public Library and the D.A. Hurd Library of North Berwick. Through a collaborative effort they were able to develop a more substantial project and maximize the effectiveness of their funding. The project's goal is to upgrade the obsolete technology of the libraries and link their catalogs online for easy access for both patrons and staff. While the libraries have historically offered reciprocal borrowing privileges, none of the three offers patrons online access to their personal library accounts or the ability to search the materials' database. Working together, the libraries purchased identical database packages to ensure technical compatibility, a standardized look and “feel” for patrons, and easy access to all three databases. The new system has been embraced by both patrons and staff and ultimately increased library usage.