Potential funding sources
Housing:
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): Grants to assist communities with infrastructure, housing, downtown revitalization, and economic development.
USDA Rural Development Loans and Grants: Various programs including housing and infrastructure development.
Genesis Fund: Provides loans for affordable housing and community facility projects including property acquisition, predevelopment costs, and construction. They worked with ICDC on the most recent rental houses and are very open to providing advice and assistance on a new round of housing.
Belvedere Historical Preservation Fund from Maine Community Foundation: Max. award $20,000 to support preservation of historic building and energy efficiency.
Maine Community Foundation Community Building Grant Program: These funds are administered by county to support community building activities in Maine. Typical grants are $500-$1000, up to $10,000.
Bangor Savings Bank grants: Ranges from $2,000-$25,000
Machias Savings Bank grants: Past awards include Old Town Housing Authority and the Maine Seacoast Mission
Bar Harbor Bank and Trust community giving program
Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation: Grants from $500-$50,000
United Midcoast Charities: Minimum of $1000 grants–They have a category specifically for housing.
Health:
USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants "helps rural communities acquire the technology and training necessary to connect educational and medical professionals with the teachers and medical providers who serve rural residents at the local level."
USDA Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant: Grants of up to $150,000 "to assist communities, Indian Tribes, and Nonprofit Corporations to identify and plan for community facility needs that exist in their area". This could help in the planning of a telemedicine or health facility on island.
USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program: Grants and loans to help develop or improve "essential community facilities". This could apply to a health center or any other public facility such as the town hall.