Machias Savings Bank

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OVERVIEW: Machias Savings Bank supports Maine communities with grants in the areas of education, economic development, housing, arts and culture, health and wellness/human services, and environmental and preservation.

IP TAKE: Machias Savings Bank is a modest corporate funder that broadly supports programs and initiatives that improve the lives and outcomes of people in communities where the bank has a business presence. It looks for opportunities where moderate amounts of funding can make a significant difference, so grantseekers are better off with proposals that target low-to-moderate income populations.

This is a relatively transparent funder that publishes a brief list of recent grantees each year. However, it is highly accessible, as it accepts applications online and is very clear about the criteria by which it makes decisions. The application guidelines even provide a complete break-down of the 100-point scoring system it uses to judge applications. Grantseekers are strongly advised to study this rubric closely in order to give your application the best chance of success.

PROFILE: Machias Savings Bank engages in community giving and has a grantmaking program based in Machias, Maine. The bank has locations from Portland up to Caribou, Maine. It is committed to the “support of non-profit organizations and activities that advance community development and improve the quality of life in our communities.” Machias’s Community Development Grants cover education, economic development, housing, arts and culture, health and wellness/human services, and environmental and preservation. In addition to grants the bank also provides local event sponsorships, business development activities, and advertising in event materials.

Grants for Education and Opportunity

Machias Savings Bank’s education grants focus mostly on financial education, while economic grants target economic development, job creation, and business revitalization. It funds “mentorship for workforce development,” “youth based entrepreneurship programs,” and “financial wellness education.” Grantees include St. George Municipal School Unit, MaineStream Finance, Jobs for Maine Graduates, Jumpstart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, Husson University, and College of the Atlantic.

Grants for Health and Community Development

Machias Savings Bank broadly funds organizations working in human services, basic needs, and health care in Maine. It especially prioritizes “housing programs” and “nutritional support initiatives,” but it also strongly supports efforts related to senior care, addiction, domestic violence, food insecurity, veterans, and special needs children and adults. Housing grants support affordable housing in the bank’s market areas, and arts and culture grants promote quality of life in the bank’s communities. The funder also makes health and human services grants to improve the quality of life and wellbeing in these communities. Grantees include Port Resources, Eastern Area Agency on Aging, Healthy Acadia, Bangor Area Homeless Shelter, Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, Downeast Community Partners, Boots2Roots, Locker Project, Community Health and Counseling Services, and Midcoast Habitat for Humanity.

Grants for Environment

Machias Savings Bank’s environmental grants support the conservation and preservation of natural resources, land, waterways, and coastal habitats of Maine. Past grantees include Maine Seacoast Mission, Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries, and Oceanswide.

Important Grant Details:

Machias Bank’s Community Development Grants generally range from $5,000 to $50,000 each. The funder does not have an online grants database to review past grantees, but grantseekers may review the foundation’s past tax filings for more information on its grantmaking strategy.

  • Grantmaking is restricted to Maine communities that the bank serves.

  • As a general rule, this funder does not fund multiple requests in the same year or special interest groups.

  • The bank accepts unsolicited grant requests from local nonprofits in its service areas, with deadlines generally at the end of August.

  • Requests for funding for individuals, film productions, academic research, lobbying, fundraising, or any organizations the bank considers controversial or not in line with its definition of community development will not be considered.

  • Requests for event sponsorships and capital campaigns should be directed to the Donations and Sponsorships program.

  • Applications may be mailed, emailed, or hand-delivered to any bank location.

Grantseekers should direct questions and applications to grants@machiassavings.com.

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