Franklin Community Investment Fund
Franklin Community Investment Fund
Greater Franklin Development Council
ABOUT THE GRANT
The Community Investment Fund provides Franklin County, Maine businesses, nonprofits, and individual entrepreneurs with grants of $5,000 to $15,000 to launch and grow projects that benefit the local community. Administered by the Greater Franklin Development Council (GFDC), the fund fills a gap identified by GFDC after evaluating what funding options are actually available to small operators in Franklin County (many block grants go to towns, county TIF dollars are restricted to unorganized territories, and innovation funding often requires a patentable product, leaving small operators without an accessible source of early stage capital). The fund is made possible through GFDC's funding accord with the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission line, which reinvests a share of the transmission line's negotiated community benefits back into local businesses, organizations, and jobs across Franklin County.
Projects must advance at least one of six focus areas: workforce development (training, credentialing, apprenticeships, recruitment and retention efforts), business expansion or creation (equipment, buildout, new product lines, new locations, new hires), organizational programming (new or expanded programs that serve county residents), entrepreneurial support (coaching, shared space, startup services, technical assistance), community development (projects that make the county a better place to live and work), or services for low-income residents (direct services that reduce cost, remove barriers, or expand access). Two themes run through all funded projects: innovative programming and job creation.
To qualify, applicants must be a for-profit business operating in Franklin County, a nonprofit organization serving Franklin County, or an individual entrepreneur or resident with a project that meets the fund's purpose, with proof of Franklin County residency or operation required. A documented funding match is required for all applications, and applications with a higher match percentage score higher (personal funds, in-kind contributions, and other grants all count as match). Projects must run 12 months or fewer, with recipients required to submit a progress report at six months and a final report at twelve months. Applications include a project summary of 100 words, an alignment narrative of 300 words, and an impact and measurement narrative of 300 words, along with attachments including a project budget, letters of support, proof of Franklin County residency, and documentation of matching funds. Applicants are also expected to describe a defined return on investment (with estimates of margin, sales, volume, people served, or jobs created) and to name real risks and barriers to project success.
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NOTES
We haven't added commentary on this grant yet. In the meantime, the fundor's website (linkeded above) is the best source for application details and eligibility specifics.
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