2025 Program Focus

Downtown Grants is a micro-grant opportunity for Ellsworth entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small-businesses who operate in downtown Ellsworth. 2025 marks the fourth rendition of this program and is generously sponsored by our lead sponsor, Franklin Savings Bank, as well as Bangor Federal Credit Union, First National Bank, and Machias Savings Bank.

In 2025, we have three awards: one for $5000, one for $3000, and one for $500. These awards are available for start-up or expansion projects to help entrepreneurs & business owners and to support economic opportunities in the city of Ellsworth. All downtown Ellsworth business owners and area entrepreneurs are eligible to apply.

Applications opened February 5th, 2025. Subscribe to the Ellsworth Business Pulse E-Newsletter to get timely updates about this program in your inbox.

Click HERE to read the 2021 article and HERE to read the 2023 article in Maine Biz about our grants program.

Download a preview of the grant application here. Please note, we will only accept online applications via the button above.

Eligibility Criteria:

• If you received funding for the 2023 Downtown Grant cycle, you are ineligible to apply for the 2025 Downtown Grant Program.

• Your business must have a connection to downtown Ellsworth, by either conducting business operations downtown or partnering with a current downtown business owner or establishment to execute your project.

• Only one (1) proposal per business will be considered in the 2025 funding cycle.