Catalyzing Climate and Economic Solutions
Island Institute’s mission is to boldly navigate climate and economic change with island and coastal communities to expand opportunities and deliver solutions. The Glenn Fund Community Impact Grants are a critical tool in achieving that mission, providing vital financial resources in support of climate and economic opportunities along Maine’s coast.
The Glenn Fund was established in 2017 through a generous grant from The Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation. Since that time, we’ve provided nearly $2 million in support to small businesses and community infrastructure projects. From pandemic relief for small businesses in 2020 to storm recovery for working waterfronts in 2024, the Glenn Fund has been used throughout the years to support the long-term vitality of Maine’s island and coastal communities. For information about our current grant programs, visit our grant and scholarship portal here.
Impact
Since 2017, the Glenn Fund has awarded over $1.6 million into 81 island and coastal Maine communities, this includes:
- Over $600,000 awarded and 202 businesses supported
- Over $1 million in community infrastructure support to 53 municipalities
- Over 1000 jobs supported in the last two years
- $250,000 awarded to 52 businesses in 30 different communities through the Storm Response Grants.
Stories of Impact
Cranberry Oysters
Cranberry Isles, ME
Cranberry Oysters is a woman–owned and operated oyster farm located on Cranberry Isles. They have been awarded $8,000 in grants over the past four years for projects including the installation of solar panels and batteries on a float and a new set-up for growing their oysters to improve the long-term sustainability of the business.
“These grants have made a huge impact on my business–the applications are approachable, and the potential projects are both exciting and have changed my thinking about what is possible!”
– Lauren Simmons Gray, Owner, Cranberry Oysters
Monhegan Island Plantation
Monhegan, ME
Monhegan Island Plantation has been awarded four community climate resilience awards and three broadband planning grants, totaling over $67,000 over five years. From aquifer analysis to breakwater restoration, the Glenn Fund has supported Monhegan in remaining a thriving, year-round community.
“Island Institute goes back to the early days of planning. They gave us money, help, people to talk to, places to go— pointed us in the right direction.”
– Jaye Morency, Monhegan Broadband Champion
Ferda Farms
Brunswick, ME
Over the last three years, Ferda Farms, a growing oyster farm located in Brunswick, Maine, has been awarded over $7,500 to fund solar panels and battery installation on their float and for participation fees for the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs Cultivator Program.
“Currently, we have 2-3 seasonal employees and two full-time staff. Scaling our farm will allow us to hire more employees and help to maintain a working waterfront and a fishing way of life.”
– Max Burtis, Co-Owner, Ferda Farms
How to Apply for Funding
The Glenn Fund offers a variety of Community Impact Grants, Spark!, ShoreUp, and Business Resilience, in support of climate and economic resilience on the coast of Maine. To explore available funding opportunities, please visit our grants and scholarships portal.
If you have additional questions not answered here, please feel free to contact us directly.
Funding Partners
Past and current funding partners for annual Glenn Fund grantmaking include:
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Bingham Trust Broadreach Fund Builder’s Initiative Department of Energy – Office of Clean Energy Demonstration Elmina B. Sewall Foundation J.M. Hopwood Charitable Trust |
Jane’s Trust Foundation John T. Gorman Foundation Limulus Fund Machias Savings Bank Manton Foundation NorthLight Foundation |
If you are a community partner, mentor, or investor and would like to learn more, please contact us.
