ELLSWORTH — Heart of Ellsworth is excited to launch the 2025 Downtown Grant Program with a generous sponsorship from Franklin Savings Bank, as well as Bangor Federal Credit Union, First National Bank, and Machias Savings Bank. 2025 marks the fourth rendition of this grant opportunity for local entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses in downtown Ellsworth. Applications opened Feb. 5 and will be live until Monday, Feb. 24 and can be accessed at heartofellsworth.org/grantprogram25.
This year’s funding cycle supports emerging entrepreneurs and small business owners alike. There will be three awards available: first place – $5,000, second place – $3,000, and third place – $500. These awards are available for start-up or expansion projects, and all downtown Ellsworth business owners and area entrepreneurs are eligible to apply. The awards will be announced at the Downtown Grants Award Ceremony at 16 State Street planned for Tuesday, March 25.
To help business owners secure future economic opportunities, this grant cycle seeks to support potential projects such as (but are not limited to); hiring a consultant or advisor, development of alternative revenue streams, marketing/logo/brand development, website creation, attending a workshop or mentoring opportunity, hiring an architect, engineer, or other specialists, purchase of up-date technology-related tools, or other small business need.
“This program follows our successful Bricks & Clicks Program in 2024, and is a natural fit for the work Heart of Ellsworth does to promote and support businesses in our downtown. The more we support our local businesses, the more our community thrives, ” says Zabet NeuCollins, program coordinator.
To apply, interested applicants should visit https://heartofellsworth.org/grantprogram2025. Applicants will be required to record a short video as part of their application, which will be shared with the public via Heart of Ellsworth’s webpage and social media channels. The rest of the information within the grant application will be kept confidential and only used to determine grant recipients. Jurors will use a score-based system to determine awards.
Heart of Ellsworth, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, promotes artistic, economic, educational, environmental, cultural, and historic activities in the “downtown” area of the city of Ellsworth, Maine to provide a vibrant community for all residents, businesses, non-profit organizations, and local government.
