Grantmaking

In 2026 we will only be opening grant applications for libraries and public safety organizations. We ask that organizations that do not meet these criteria please wait until 2027. If you have any questions about your eligibility, please contact us.

Fall 2026 Grantmaking

The STK Foundation is pleased to open a limited competitive grant opportunity for two specific types of organizations:

  1. Libraries
  2. Public safety organizations

Library support grants will only be awarded to libraries in Maine that are open to the general public. Libraries may be municipal libraries or independent nonprofits.  Libraries may apply for operating support, project support, capital projects, or capacity building projects.

Public Safety grants will be awarded to fire departments and emergency response services for purchasing critical equipment. Municipalities or emergency management agencies may apply on behalf of their fire and emergency departments. Public safety organizations may apply for project support, capital projects, or capacity building projects.

In both cases, there is a preference for areas of the state that have fewer access to financial resources. The deadline will be October 15, 2026. The maximum award will be $50,000.

You must apply using our online portal. The link and basic instructions are available on our Applying for a Grant page.

 

General Guidance

The primary grantmaking goal of the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation is to strengthen and support Maine communities. We make grants statewide but have a specific interest in the Greater Bangor region. We prioritize providing support to communities, organizations, and people who typically have less access to resources.

We have three primary areas of interest:

    Arts and Culture: We believe that access to the arts—and support for artists—is a critical piece of community life. This interest area provides support for the visual arts, literature, theater, dance, film, museums and historical preservation. This might include:

    • Community theaters that create and/or host performing arts events
    • Community efforts to provide public access to literature and film
    • Museums and historical preservation efforts that enhance a public understanding of history

    Libraries, literacy and information access: We believe in the power of the written word and that all community members deserve access to information. This interest area provides support for libraries, efforts to improve literacy, and support for nonprofit news media. This might include:

    • Public libraries
    • Organizations that support literacy, including English language learning
    • Organizations that provide public access to news reporting

    Community health and safety: We believe that the health, safety and wellbeing of individuals makes for a stronger community. This interest area provides support for public health, women’s health, food and housing security, sports and recreation, and public safety. This might include:

    • Organizations that provide health care access, with a special focus on women’s and reproductive health
    • Organizations that support basic needs in a community, including food and housing security
    • Community-focused sports and recreation organizations
    • Public safety requests for critical equipment from ambulance and fire departments

    What We Do Not Fund

    We receive more requests than we could possibly fund and therefore have had to restrict the kinds of requests we will consider. We can only provide grants to non-profit organizations; we cannot give money directly to individuals.
     
    We will not consider funding for:

    • Support for individuals. This includes but is not limited to: medical care or education, competitions or athletic sponsorships, wheelchair vans or transportation for individuals, or scholarship foundations or programs that award grants or scholarship
    • School or group activities such as graduation parties or events or travel, sponsorship or funding for student or athletic groups
    • Renovations to churches or other religious properties or institutions
    • Individual projects such as film or video productions, book or publishing projects, business development, investments or loans, academic research, fellowships or publication or conferences, meetings, training, or workshops
    • Organizations whose policies encourage discrimination
    • Shelters, hospitals or rehabilitation centers for animals or animal therapy programs
    • Construction or improvement of playgrounds or skateparks
    • Hospice programs or facilities

    If you have questions or concerns about your organization’s eligibility, please contact us.