Native Artisan Grant Fund

FDDC’s mission includes supporting Native Artisans to improve the social and economic conditions among the Wabanaki people of Maine. To do so, FDDC has developed the Artisan Grant Fund to meet the working capital needs of these artisans. Along with the grant program, FDDC strongly encourages artisans to participate in technical assistance (TA) programs, including its Financial Capability program, to build personal credit and budget skills. The following describes the Artisan Grant Fund program eligibility, application process, and guidelines for approving artisan grants.

Artisan supports

FDDC Artisan Grant Fund is a cash grant of $2,000 to support Native artisans to meet their working capital needs that will significantly impact their artisan business growth

WHO IS IT FOR?

Applicants must be individual artisan business owners or artisan entrepreneurs and may submit only one application per year. Organizations are not eligible to apply. At the time an application is submitted and the grant is awarded, an applicant must be:

• If less than 18 years of age must have adult sponsor
• Resident of Maine
• Enrolled in a federally recognized tribe
• 2024 Artisan Grant recipient ineligible to apply

Eligibility Criteria

This grant is available to artists to develop their artistic entrepreneurship. An opportunity to engage in entrepreneurial activities directly related to the advancement of their work. Such activities may include marketing, operations, and support. Keep in mind you will be asked to describe how engaging in developing your artistic entrepreneurship will advance your work. Further, your artistic entrepreneurship activities should not duplicate previous work or experiences but should represent a new or further develop your artistic entrepreneurial endeavor.

ELIGIBLE EXPENSES

Grant funds may be used for any of the following (this list is not comprehensive):

• Equipment purchases, materials, or services needed to fulfill/engage in business development
• Rental fees, including equipment, instruments, facilities (including short-term space and studio rentals), etc.
• Preparation, freight, and/or shipping costs. 
• Registration fees.
• Professional service fees such as bookkeeping, legal, human resources, marketing, etc.

Applicants must reasonably articulate how they will spend the grant funds within 12 months of award.