2024 Carignan Fund for Community Programs

The Bates College Harward Center for Community Partnership is pleased to invite applications from Lewiston/Auburn area nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies for support from the Carignan Fund for Community Programs. This year, the Fund will provide grants of up to $2,000 to community organizations to support programming that fosters new or strengthens existing connections between Bates College and our community.  The aim of the fund is to support sustainable initiatives that address community needs through partnership with the college.

Organizations serving Androscoggin County that already partner with Bates College and those that seek to do so are encouraged to apply. Applications will be evaluated by a committee of trained Bates College students.

Grant funds may be used to support existing, emerging, or new programs, including program personnel. Proposals will be evaluated based on the demonstrated or potential impact of the identified program on its intended participants/recipients, as well as on its potential for fostering new or strengthening existing connections between the applicant organization and Bates College.

Deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024.  Click here to submit an application:  https://bit.ly/2024-Carignan-Fund

Carignan Fund information session held on Thursday, Feb.15 at 11am or Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 3pm.  These sessions are opportunities to learn more about the grant program, ask questions, or get feedback on a project you’re considering.  Register for the informational sessions here:  https://forms.gle/1eC19hJabD8uC2Ts6

For more information about the Carignan Fund program, contact Jenna Dela Cruz Vendil (jvendil@bates.edu) at the Harward Center for Community Partnerships.

About the 2023 Carignan Fund Grantees:

The Harward Center invited applications from nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies for the Carignan Fund, which grants up to $2,000 to support projects/programs that fosters new or strengthens existing connections between Bates and the Lewiston Auburn community. The selection committee is comprised of Bates students who have diverse experiences in community engagement.

The Harward Center held two trainings for the student selection committee to understand philanthropy and power, learn about how foundations are dismantling hierarchies through the grantmaking process, and how to evaluate grant applications with equity in mind. Harward Center staff held two outreach meetings with prospective applicants to answer questions or help brainstorm proposals.

In the end, the Carignan Fund received 15 applications and distributed $10,862 to seven organizations:

• ArtVan – $1,654 grant to expand its no-cost arts program to youth living in Lewiston and Auburn.
• City of Lewiston Recreation Department – $1,000 grant to purchase equipment to increase public access to the Lewiston pool, and provide a basis for data collection in order to better inform future programs.
• Community Organizing Alliance – $2,000 grant to expand its Listening, Education, and Organizing (LEO) program on civic engagement, organizing and policymaking, to Lewiston youth.
• Cooperative Development Institute – $1,654 grant to train BIPOC youth as apprentices in Lewiston area cooperatives.
• Promise Early Childhood Education – $900 grant to launch two new, barrier-free lending libraries for Head Start center families.
• Rosati Leadership Academy – $1,654 grant to increase its alumni engagement and expand its existing program to host more students.
• Trinity Jubilee – $2,000 grant to purchase equipment and launch a workplace wellness initiative to improve the volunteer experience and help volunteers do their work more safely and efficiently.