HOULTON, Maine — Vital Pathways is a local wellness organization that is looking to support other community organizations with funding for special projects.
The Vital Pathways board will be awarding up to $2,000 in Community Project Mini Grants. Mini-Grant proposals must promote the interest of the community and will be judged by using set criteria. The maximum award for any one grant will be $1,000.
Projects funded by mini-grants must address a need in the community that promotes wellness, healthy lifestyles, community spirit, or community beautification (such as planting trees, community gardens). Consideration for awarding the grants is based on quality and completeness of the application.
Agencies and organizations in the following municipalities are invited to apply for the grant: Amity, Cary Plantation, Hammond Plantation, Hodgdon, Houlton, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Linneus, Ludlow, Monticello, Littleton, Orient, Haynesville and New Limerick.
The timeline for the mini grant cycle is as follows: request for proposals released on Wednesday, April 12; deadline for proposals, Monday, May 15; announcement of recipients, Monday, May 29; and final reports due back to the board of Vital Pathways, May 15, 2018
Last year, two organizations benefitted from receiving mini grant funding. The 2016 awards were given to the town of Orient for their Veterans Memorial and to the town of Houlton for their Parks and Recreation Department’s Winter Sport Trailer. Each group received $500.
Vital Pathways was formed in 1994 when Houlton was selected as one of five sites in the state of Maine to be designated as a “Healthy Community.” The group has a broad definition of health, which goes beyond the “medical model” to include education, environment, technological and economic development, and recreation. Vital Pathways is based in Houlton and serves 11 towns in Aroostook County, located in northern Maine. The board meets once a month to discuss projects and partnerships in the area. We are recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization.
Vital Pathways has assisted with several key projects in the Southern Aroostook Region. Our latest partnership is helping the newly formed Northern Maine Lacrosse Club receive much needed grant funding.
Other projects include The Riverfront project, trails planning, Backpacks 4 Kids, and Golf for Life.
For additional information about the mini grants, contact Joe Fagnant, vice chair, at 531-3100 extension 5. Application information will also be available to pick up at the Houlton/Hodgdon Adult and Community Education office at 18 Military St., in the Houlton Higher Education Center. All completed applications need to be sent to Audrey York, Vital Pathways 5 Pleasant Court Houlton, ME 04730. Deadline is May 15.
