Mini Grants

Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA) has mini-grants available to community groups, businesses, and individuals concerned about family and friends who assist older adults or persons with dementia. Funds may also be used to develop programs / supports for adults 55 and over who are raising minor children (often grandparents, but can be other relatives or friends).

SMAA is looking for collaborative projects with organizations / individuals who will work with us to identify and serve family caregivers.  Caregiver grants of up to $1,500 will be awarded through a competitive Request for Collaboration (RFC) process.  Mini-grant programs should supplement existing resources, rather than compete with them, and should either provide new services / supports, or serve caregivers who are not currently accessing them.

Funds are designated to provide services along any / all of the following guidelines:

• Information about services
• Assistance with access to services
• Individual counseling, support groups and caregiver training
• Respite care
• Supplemental services (other services and supports which make caregiving easier and/or reduce caregiver stress)

The submission deadline is October 1, 2008, and notification on funding will take place by November 3, 2008.  Projects/programs should be completed by June 30, 2009. 

PLEASE NOTE:  Because of a change in the State contract year, we do not yet know how many mini-grants will be available in the budget, but we anticipate a fairly small number, so the process is likely to be more competitive than in previous years. 

For more information or to discuss project ideas, contact Ann O’Sullivan at SMAA (1-800-427-7411 or aosullivan@smaaa.org).  For an RFC packet, contact Vivien Eisenhart at SMAA (1-800-427-7411 or veisenhart@smaaa.org).