Catalyzing Climate and Economic Solutions

Island Institute’s mission is to boldly navigate climate and economic change with island and coastal communities to expand opportunities and deliver solutions. The Glenn Fund Community Impact Grants are a critical tool in achieving that mission, providing vital financial resources in support of climate and economic opportunities along Maine’s coast. The Glenn Fund was established in 2017 through a generous grant from The Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation. Since that time, we’ve provided nearly $2 million in support to small businesses and community infrastructure projects. From pandemic relief for small businesses in 2020 to storm recovery for working waterfronts in 2024, the Glenn Fund has been used throughout the years to support the long-term vitality of Maine’s island and coastal communities.

.

Island Institute scholarships are funded by loyal donors to to our Island Education Fund as well as named scholarship endowments. Since 1990, Island Institute has distributed nearly $3 million in scholarships to support the aspirations of almost a thousand young people from Maine’s islands and coastal communities.

.

For information about our current grant and scholarship programs, visit our application portal here.

Our Impact in Numbers

Over $800,000

awarded and 216 businesses supported

Over $1,000,000

to support 53 community projects

Over 1,000

jobs supported in the last three years

Over $2,500,000

awarded to over 800 students from Maine islands

Stories of Impact

Cranberry Oysters

Cranberry Isles, ME

Cranberry Oysters is a woman–owned and operated oyster farm located on Cranberry Isles. They have been awarded $8,000 in grants over the past four years for projects including the installation of solar panels and batteries on a float and a new set-up for growing their oysters to improve the long-term sustainability of the business.

“These grants have made a huge impact on my business–the applications are approachable, and the potential projects are both exciting and have changed my thinking about what is possible!”

– Lauren Simmons Gray, Owner, Cranberry Oysters

Monhegan Island Plantation

Monhegan, ME

Monhegan Island Plantation has been awarded four community climate resilience awards and three broadband planning grants, totaling over $67,000 over five years. From aquifer analysis to breakwater restoration, the Glenn Fund has supported Monhegan in remaining a thriving, year-round community.

“Island Institute goes back to the early days of planning. They gave us money, help, people to talk to, places to go— pointed us in the right direction.”

– Jaye Morency, Monhegan Broadband Champion

Learn More HERE

Bombazine Oyster Company

Brunswick, ME

Over the last three years, Bombazine Oyster Company, a growing oyster farm located in Brunswick, Maine, has been awarded over $7,500 to fund solar panels and battery installation on their float and for participation fees for the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs Cultivator Program.

“Currently, we have 2-3 seasonal employees and two full-time staff. Scaling our farm will allow us to hire more employees and help to maintain a working waterfront and a fishing way of life.”

– Max Burtis, Co-Owner, Bombazine Oyster Company

Learn More HERE

How to Apply for Funding

apply for a glenn fund grant

The Glenn Fund offers a variety of Community Impact Grants, Community Clean Energy, Community Climate Planning, Marine Innovation, and Workforce and Business Resilience grants, in support of climate and economic resilience on the coast of Maine. .

.

Apply for a grant

apply for a scholarship

Island Institute provides financial support for education, training and workforce exploration to help prepare island and coastal high school students and young adults for post-secondary education and workforce development opportunities.

.

APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP

If you have additional questions not answered here, please feel free to contact us directly.

Community Impact Fund