Grant Making Priorities

The Directors of the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation are committed to deploying the resources of the Foundation for maximum positive impact in the following areas of interest:

  • Animal Welfare
  • Environment
  • Human Well-Being

The Foundation supports work within each area of interest based on its mission and guiding principles. Within the areas of interest, several focal areas have been identified to further refine the Foundation's grant making priorities. While projects that fit within a focal area are encouraged, the Foundation will continue to support efforts that fall within the three areas of interest but outside of a focal area.

Focal Areas

Animal Welfare

Capacity Building

The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation seeks to work with Maine's animal welfare community to build the sector's capacity - enabling it to meet the objectives of improving the quality of life and care for companion and farm animals throughout the state.  Capacity building efforts that will have significant, measurable impact on organizations' ability to perform their work - including leadership development; improved sheltering, management and governance practices; and fundraising sophistication - are of particular interest.

Reducing the Unwanted Cat Population
Communities throughout Maine struggle with issues related to the vast number of unwanted and feral cats. The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation seeks to work with partners to reduce these numbers through spay/neuter programs, education, capacity building for animal shelters and other mechanisms.

Environment

Community Conservation
Community conservation protects natural resources while deliberately addressing additional needs of the community such as public health, economic development, arts and culture, and housing. The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation supports community driven conservation activities that preserve natural resources while strengthening communities and the ties between people and the environment.

Land Protection
Maine's landscape is an irreplaceable and vital element of Maine's quality of place and quality of life. The Foundation supports efforts that protect key parcels within landscape scale conservation initiatives. Landscape level projects that provide recreational opportunities; support sustainable, natural resource based economic activity; protect wildlife habitat; and/or conserve outstanding natural features are of particular interest.

Local Foods
The availability of nutritious, sustainably harvested, local foods benefits Maine people. The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation supports efforts that conserve the natural resources upon which sustainable food production is dependant, promote sustainable practices, increase access to local foods, and strengthen the economic viability of local foods systems.

Human Well-being

Food Security
Hunger affects people throughout the state of Maine. The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation seeks to reduce the number of people adversely impacted by lack of nutritious food and supports efforts that will reduce the numbers of food insecure people through systemic change and increased access to nutritious food.

Vibrant Communities

The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation seeks to enhance the quality of life in Maine's communities by supporting projects that contribute to vibrant communities.  Projects of interest will be collaborative in nature, recognizing that healthy community development involves economic development; thoughtful planning for the built and un-built environment; consideration of human health impacts; as well as opportunities for educational, cultural, and recreational enrichment.  Of particular interest are projects that will enhance human health and well-being and are part of a comprehensive community development effort.