Maine Preservation and the Maine Community Foundation have announced the creation of the Maine Steeples Project.

The idea behind the initiative: help preserve church steeples statewide.

This program seeks to match local efforts to preserve church steeples of historic, cultural and community significance to communities in Maine.

A total of $50,000 per year will be awarded on a matching basis in two categories: $10,000 for condition assessments and $40,000 for steeple restoration grants.

“Steeples define many of Maine’s historic villages. They are beloved architectural landmarks threatened by the elements and time,” said Roxanne Eflin, Maine Preservation’s executive director, in a news release.

“Funding for preservation has typically been scarce, which makes this new grant program vitally important and exciting,” she said. In 2004, Maine Preservation included steeples and towers on their list of Maine’s Most Endangered Historic Properties.

A Maine Community Foundation donor interested in protecting Maine’s heritage stepped forward to initiate the project. “The Maine Steeples Project is a great fit for the foundation’s community-building mission,” said Jennifer Southard, director of philanthropic services with the Maine Community Foundation.

The process is twofold: First a formal assessment must be made, and then a steeple restoration grant must be awarded.

Application forms are available at www.mainecf.org. Applications for assessment grants are accepted on a rolling basis; the deadline for steeple restoration grants is March 1.

For information on assessment grants, contact Roxanne Eflin at 775-3652, or e-mail roxanne@mainepreservation.org.

For information on steeple restoration grants, contact Jennifer Southard at 761-2440 or jsouthard@mainecf.org.