Funding to Diversify Maine’s Island and Coastal Economies

 

MISSION

The Glenn Fund is a community development catalyst fund that seeks to build a more diverse coastal economy through the investment of capital with planning grants as well as loans and equity support for small businesses. The Fund is made possible through a grant from The Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation; daughters Rand and Louisa; and wife, Lou, to honor Tom Glenn II and his lifelong commitment to Maine’s island and coastal communities.

 

IMPACT

Since 2012, we have invested over $1 million in Maine’s island and coastal communities—with close to $600,000 in small business support and over $400,000 in community infrastructure support for projects focusing on broadband, clean energy, and sea level rise.

 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE

The Glenn Fund offers grant and loan support for small businesses and community infrastructure planning. Business resilience grants and catalyst loans to support small business growth are available for all island and coastal small businesses, including artists and makers and marine small businesses. Grants and revolving loans for community infrastructure planning are available for broadband, energy, and sea level rise.

 

Small Business Funding

BUSINESS RESILIENCE GRANTS

The critical needs of our coast are priorities that require coordinated resources and leadership over the coming decade and beyond.  It is our mission to sustain Maine’s island and coastal communities, and exchanges ideas and experiences to further the sustainability of communities here and elsewhere.  For many years, Island Institute has provided grant opportunities for small businesses to promote resilience and more recently to address ongoing disruptions of the pandemic and economic changes. This year, we continue our small business grant program with a focus on communities that are highly dependent on lobstering and under-resourced to address climate change.

Does your business need financial help to address an immediate or long-term issue or goal? The Business Resilience Grant offers awards of up to $2,500 through the Tom Glenn Community Impact Fund.

Funds can be used to:

  • Investing in supplies or infrastructure that allows you to operate your business more effectively. 
  • Developing new marketing strategies or projects.
  • Training or professional development.
  • Hiring a consultant to help you improve your business. 
  • Other: Contact us if you’re unsure.

Please note: funding is not available for regular operating expenses e.g. payroll, rent, utilities, etc.

Questions? Please get in touch at brgrants@islandinstitute.org.

LEARN MORE HERE

 

Community Infrastructure Planning Funding

Spark! Grants

Spark! Grants fund working waterfront energy projects that improve energy efficiency, switch to renewable energy, and/or reduce consumption of fossil fuels. We are currently prioritizing applications to fund working waterfront projects for shoreside charging infrastructure, shoreside renewable energy generation, marine electrification, energy efficiency, and weatherization, but other projects may be considered on a case-bycase basis. Highly visible projects within the community or marine sector that have high environmental and financial benefits are more likely to receive funding.

Applicants can receive up to $4,000 per fiscal year (July–June). If you are seeking funding above this amount, we would love to have a conversation with you about other available funding mechanisms or opportunities. 50% match of funding is required for for-profit businesses, but Island Institute may waive this based on financial need or new technology applications.

Possible working waterfront energy projects include:

  • Electric outboard motors and batteries
  • Electric boat charging infrastructure
  • Solar power systems
  • Floating solar-powered tumbler and wash-down station for oyster farm
  • Equipment retrofits to electric power
  • Energy-efficient commercial appliances

For more information on eligibility, the application process, and to submit your application, please click the button below. If you would like additional information about Spark! Grants, please see here or reach out to sparkgrants@islandinstitute.org.

APPLY HERE

 Questions? Please get in touch at sparkgrants@islandinstitute.org.

LEARN MORE HERE

 

SHOREUP grants

ShoreUp Grants offers flexible funding and support, so that communities can plan for the sea level rise assistance they need to start taking the steps that are right for them. We are currently prioritizing applications from communities that are highly dependent on lobstering and under-resourced to address climate change. ShoreUp grants offer funding support (up to $10,000) for Maine island and coastal communities as they assess, implement, and/or plan for sea level rise.

Sea level rise preparedness projects might include (but are not limited to):

  • Risk assessments
  • Infrastructure and natural resource planning
  • Community engagement programs related to sea level rise

For more information on eligibility, the application process, and to submit your application, please click the button below. If you would like additional information about ShoreUp Grants, please reach out to shoreupgrants@islandinstitute.org. Please note: Businesses are not eligible for ShoreUp Grants and should consider our Business Resilience Grants.

APPLY HERE

 Questions? Please get in touch at shoreupgrants@islandinstitute.org.

LEARN MORE HERE

 

Support Services

Island Institute’s support programs provide a breadth of professional development services including:

SMALL BUSINESS
  • Business and financial planning services
  • Connections to a network of industry and marketing connections
  • Digital Literacy training
COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE

 

Questions?

For answers to frequently asked questions concerning the Community Impact Fund, see our Fund FAQ.

If you have additional questions not answered here, please feel free to contact us directly.

 

Funding Partners

Funding partners for our small business and infrastructure support include: John T. Gorman Foundation, NorthLight Foundation, Jane’s Trust Foundation, Manton Foundation, and Elmina B. Sewall Foundation.

If you are a community partner, mentor, or investor and would like to learn more, please contact us.