Helping to create vibrant public places in Maine

Program Goals

• Activate and revitalize public spaces to build vibrant communities
• Empower residents to play an active role in shaping their community
• Advance projects which boost community confidence and local pride
• Stimulate the creative economy and provide equitable access to the arts
• Spur entrepreneurship, partnerships, and public and private investment
• Connect viable projects to individual contributors and matching funds

Why Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding aims to fund projects by raising small amounts of money from a large number of people, enabling residents to participate and invest in projects they find valuable to themselves and their community. The Make it Maine program uses a web-based crowdfunding platform managed by Patronicity, allowing project information to be accessible to anyone with internet access, inviting residents, businesses, and community organizations to play a part in community improvements and fostering a sense of ownership, connection, and pride in their community. The Make it Maine crowdfunding platform will accommodate both online and offline donations to support local fundraising needs and campaign goals.

Eligible Projects and Programming

Anyone in Maine with a community-minded arts or placemaking idea may apply. Projects are accepted on a rolling basis. Eligibility of activities is ultimately at the discretion of the Make it Maine program staff.

Projects must be located in Maine. Eligible projects must demonstrate they will create, revitalize, or activate (programming) a public space that is free, open to, and accessible to all people. Examples of eligible projects include, but not limited to:

• Activating public gathering spaces (e.g., parks, riverwalks, trails, greenways, grange halls, community centers, other public spaces)
• Streetscape improvements and beautification
• Temporary or experimental (pop-up) spaces, arts markets, and cultural events
• Activation/programming of vacant properties, parking lots, and vacant storefronts
• Creating or enhancing farmers’ markets, and community gardens
• Creation of performing art spaces that serve the community
• Winter placemaking activities (ice rinks, community fire pits, lighting installations, etc.)
• Public art that engages the community, including murals, must:
  • Enhance or activate an existing community gathering area that allows the public to interact and engage with the artwork in a public space
  • Foster deep connections and involvement from the community, organizations, and artists in project conception, development, and execution
• Projects must demonstrate they will create, revitalize, or activate (program) a public space that is open and accessible to all people with no charge for admission.
• Projects should improve access, if possible and not remove or reduce access for people with disabilities. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against individuals on the basis of disability.

Ineligible Projects and Programming

• Projects or programming that do not directly serve Maine communities.
• General organizational support, operating costs, annual appeals, or fundraising drives
• Project planning or design-only activities
• Projects that support or oppose a particular political party or candidate for public office, or are exclusive to members of a particular religious faith group.
• Promoting a single for-profit entity and/or its products or services
• Discrimination against persons on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, ancestry, age, creed, pregnancy, marital, parental status, familial status, sexual orientation, status as a veteran, physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.