Building Connections

Permanent Commission Announces Social Capital Grants to Strengthen Maine Communities

The Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations is thrilled to announce the recipients of the Social Capital Grant! This initiative supports Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in developing innovative programs that address social determinants of health (SDOH) and foster stronger community connections, particularly in historically marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The overwhelming response to this opportunity, with 48 applicants, underscores the pressing need for such initiatives in Maine. After careful review, nine CBOs have been selected to receive funding. Their projects span a wide range of focus areas, including food insecurity, healthcare access, and support for system-impacted individuals.

  • Maine Council on Aging: Building community connections amongst Black elders through creative activities in a photovoice project.
  • Cultivating Community: Addresses food insecurity, prioritizing New American communities in Portland and Lewiston, through creative programs and activities that center community building.
  • YMCA Southern Maine: Builds on a successful pilot to expand access of culturally appropriate swimming classes for Black women in Cumberland and York Counties.
  • Quality Housing Coalition: Builds on a successful pilot to build community through shared meals for mother-led low-income households in York County.
  • Maine Inside Out: Continues and scales programming that provides support for system impacted people to navigate reentry after incarceration through art and theater programming.
  • Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center: Builds community and  English language skills through creation of a choir for immigrant and refugee populations in Southern Maine.
  • Khmer Maine: Builds connections and community across Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in Maine.
  • Mano en Mano: Supports wellness activities for farmworkers and immigrants in Washington County.
  • Healthy Acadia: Includes creative community building activities through promotion of Passamaquoddy culture.

While we celebrate these grantees, we recognize that many communities face ongoing challenges in areas beyond social capital. The applications we received from CBOs doing excellent work across Maine highlighted critical needs in several areas outside the scope of this grant. We are committed to collaborating with these CBOs and the communities they serve to address these needs and advance racial equity and justice in Maine.

Healthcare access: 

  • Focus on patient navigators and community health workers, case management services and mental health supports.

  • The need to address disparities in oral health services and outcomes, and provide culturally appropriate and trauma-informed mental health and substance use disorder services.

Economic stability: 

  • Career support and mentoring for youth, formerly incarcerated individuals, people in recovery, those who have experienced homelessness, and multilingual learners.

Educational attainment: 

  • Early math and language supports for families, culturally appropriate pre-K and special education. 

  • Focus on identifying and removing barriers to school attendance, with increased support and services for adult education, students, and teachers. 

  • Ensure curriculum reflects the diversity of cultures in Maine.

Food insecurity:

  • Access to fresh, healthy, local food, with food insecurity particularly impacting youth, elders, and those living in affordable housing.

Transportation: 

  • More reliable and accessible transportation options in both urban and rural areas.

Language access and language education: 

  • Expanded opportunities for individuals with limited English proficiency to learn and practice English in a range of contexts, as well as access to services and support in their native language.

Intersectionality:

  •  Recognizing and addressing the unique challenges faced by people with multiple marginalized identities, such as LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those at risk of social isolation, particularly within communities of color.

Accessibility of services:

  • Addressing the complex web of state and non-state systems that prevent the most overburdened and marginalized people from accessing essential services.

We believe that by investing in social capital, we can build a stronger, more resilient Maine where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We look forward to the positive impact these projects will have on communities across the state and to continuing to collaborate with CBOs across Maine doing excellent work to address the needs of communities across the state.

Social Capital Grant Opportunity

Original post: Monday, April 22, 2024 - 08:05

The application period for this grant has ended. We are grateful for the high level of interest and thank all the applicants who submitted proposals! We are excited to learn about the plans to strengthen communities in Maine. We expect to announce awards in July. Sign up to receive our updates!

 

The Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations is excited to announce a new grant opportunity! The Social Capital Grant was designed to develop and implement programs to address social determinants of health (SDOH) while building stronger community connections. 

This grant initiative seeks to tackle racial disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the crucial role of social capital in public health outcomes, the Permanent Commission is dedicated to supporting Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in creating innovative approaches that build community connections. 

By addressing factors such as economic stability, educational access, healthcare quality, neighborhood environment, and social context, grant recipients will not only mitigate SDOH disparities but also bolster social networks and support systems within their communities. 

We encourage applicants to embrace creativity and inclusivity, ensuring that all individuals, especially those facing additional barriers, are actively engaged in the development and implementation of their initiatives. Together, we will deepen relationships, invest in communities, support innovation, and ultimately increase social capital in historically marginalized communities across Maine. 

Submission Deadline

June 3rd, 2024

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be Community Based Organizations (CBO). 

  • The proposed project must be designed to benefit communities located within Maine.

Grant Amount

$25,000 - $75,000

Informational Webinar

Watch the recording:

 

The application period for this grant has ended. We are grateful for the high level of interest and thank all the applicants who submitted proposals! We are excited to learn about the plans to strengthen communities in Maine. We expect to announce awards in July. Sign up to receive our updates!