The Foundation will only accept applications submitted through the Foundation's online grant system. Organizations may submit an application one time per calendar year. Some exceptions may be made in the case of fiscal sponsorships and multi-organization collaborations. Organizations with active multi-year grants must wait to apply for additional funding until the year in which the current grant-term ends. The Foundation's support for animal well-being is rooted in the interests of its founder and our recognition that the health and well-being of animals, people and environment are inextricably linked. We will fund organizations working to reduce barriers to equitable pet ownership, keep pets with their owners, and humanely control pet populations. The focus of this funding is on cats and dogs. More information for the Animal Welfare Program can be found at: https://www.sewallfoundation.org/animal-welfare

Applicants must be eligible to accept tax-deductible donations as outlined in Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. This includes 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt organizations, public schools, public agencies working for the State of Maine, or Indian tribal governments (and their political subdivisions) recognized by the Department of the Interior. The Foundation limits and prioritizes grant support to charitable work in Maine that aligns with its stated priorities. This requirement may be waived for a defined group of Legacy organizations. For nonprofits based in Maine, the Foundation will check with the Maine Secretary of State's website to determine that applicants' annual report filings are up-to-date. The Foundation will only consider grants for operations, projects, or capital acquisition; the Foundation does not consider grants for endowments.