Guiding Principles

These principles guide the activities of the Foundation – helping to shape its areas of interest, inform decisions about where its resources are directed and influence how its work is conducted.

Collaboration: The grant-seeking organization has experience and/or potential for working collaboratively with traditional and non-traditional partners to address complex issues that cannot be resolved by one organization or sector working alone.

Community Impact: The organization or proposed project benefits the larger community and contributes to the quality of life in Maine.

Diversity: The organization recognizes the importance of diversity and demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and understanding.

Environmental Ethic: The grant-seeking organization recognizes the important role the environment plays in Maine's quality of life and strives to minimize its environmental impact and support the stewardship of Maine’s natural resources.

Ethical Behavior: The Foundation demands ethical behavior of itself and expects it of grantees and collaborating partners.

Impact in Multiple Fields: The project or program crosses traditional boundaries to address needs or problems that fall in more than one of the Foundation's areas of interest.

Increased Capacity: The project or program takes the organization to a new level, increasing its capacity for greater impact and success in the future.

Innovation: The grant-seeking organization employs innovative approaches to solve problems or address needs in the areas in which it works.

Leadership: The organization has reliable, effective and visionary leadership that inspires confidence in its ability to meet its goals.

Legacy: The Foundation honors the funding interests of its founder, Elmina B. Sewall.

Quality of Life: The grant seeking organization/project provides meaningful and sustained impact on the quality of life in Maine.

Quality of Place: The organization/project enhances Maine's quality of place.