ELLSWORTH – Nonprofit and public organizations seeking funding for projects that draw on the strengths of the community and foster collaboration are encouraged to apply to the Maine Community Foundation’s Community-Building Grants Fund.

The Community-Building Grant Committee, which oversees the fund, prefers proposals for new initiatives and projects as opposed to requests for ongoing support. Applicants are encouraged to build partnerships between and among community groups to plan, advance and evaluate a proposed project, including involving people they hope to serve in its design and implementation.

The deadline for applications is Jan. 15, 2009. Applicants will be notified in late March. The application, guidelines and a list of recent grants may be found at www.mainecf.org.

A statewide organization with offices in Ellsworth, Augusta and Portland, the Maine Community Foundation has been partnering with donors and nonprofits to strengthen Maine communities for 25 years. For information, go to www.mainecf.org or call 877-700-6800.