The MAR Foundation administers two grant programs from the REALTORS® Affordable Housing Fund:
Competitive Grant Program
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED NOW through March 28, 2025 for the annual competitive grant program. Any eligible organization may submit one application. Apply Now!
Competitive Grant Program
The Competitive Grant Program offers an opportunity for non-profit organizations delivering housing related programs to Maine’s most vulnerable households to apply directing for the funding they need to meet the housing challenges of Maine households. Since the first competitive grants were awarded in 1991, total grants awarded has exceeded $3.2 million.
The mission of the REALTORS® Affordable Housing Fund is “to provide financial resources to groups and organizations for the purpose of funding activities, programs, and services which directly or indirectly expand, create, maintain, or encourage the development of decent, suitable shelter and housing opportunities in Maine, including heating assistance, for individuals and families with low, very low, or no income.”
Examples of eligible grant funded project/programs may include, but are not limited to: buying or building new housing; energy mobility, health and/or safety repairs to improve and maintain existing housing; down payment, mortgage, rent, fuel, and/or security deposit assistance; emergency housing services for people experiencing homelessness, etc.
MAR Foundation grant dollars may not be used for non-housing related expenses such as food or gift cards to purchase household or personal care supplies; transportation or relocation costs, such as moving truck; clothing; childcare; direct payments to clients; staff recruitment; office equipment; legal fees; fences; playground equipment; security systems; religious programming; fundraisers; market or feasibility studies; vital documents to obtain identification cards; lobbying or political activities; etc.
Who is eligible:
- Nonprofit, charitable organizations tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and also classified as an organization described in sections 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2)
- Municipalities
- Public schools
- Public agencies working for the State of Maine
- Indian tribal governments
Maximum award: $10,000
Geographic area: statewide (Maine)
Apply Now: Please use the format provided and limit your submission to the completed and signed application questionnaire and enclosures. No additional pages of narrative are allowed, except if necessary for the budget.
Deadline: March 28 by 5 p.m. Email your application in PDF format to foundation@mainerealtors.com. We will accept applications delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to 19 Community Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330. Postal service delivered applications must arrive by the March 28 deadline. Applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed.
Confirmation and Notification: We will provide written confirmation of all applications we receive by the March 28 deadline. Written notification of final grant award decisions will be mailed to all applicants by the end of May.
Questions? Email Jen Southard at foundation@mainerealtors.com
With the help of REALTORS® across the state of Maine the MAR Foundation has been able to significantly increase funding from $80,000 in 2023, to $140,000 in 2024 to $210,000 budgeted for 2025. Here are lists of past grants awarded.
Local Board Matching Grant Program
The Local Board of REALTOR® Matching Grant program supports REALTOR® Boards and Councils’ affordable housing program initiatives in the communities where they live and work. The Program matches the money raised by local REALTOR® Boards and Councils who choose the recipient agency or agencies and performs fund-raising on their behalf.
In 2024, the Maine Association of REALTORS® Foundation awarded $162,080 in Matching Grants to twenty-nine local non-profit agencies; REALTOR® Boards and Councils fund raised an additional $162,207 for the same non-profit agencies.
In 2023, the Maine Association of REALTORS® Foundation awarded $153,930 in Matching Grants to twenty-four local non-profit agencies; REALTOR® Boards and Councils fund raised an additional $153,986 for the same non-profit agencies.
In 2022, the Maine Association of REALTORS® Foundation awarded $118,770 in Matching Grants to twenty-six local non-profit agencies; REALTOR® Boards and Councils fund raised an additional $150,001 for the same non-profit agencies.
Since 1993, the Foundation has awarded $1.7 million dollars in Local Matching Program Grants to nearly 100 non-profit organizations that worked with local REALTOR® Board and Councils to improve affordable housing in their community.