Our dream is that everyone in Maine feel able to share with others those things that are most meaningful to them, things that are often hard won and of irreplaceable value – and that everyone in Maine might have the chance to listen to and learn from those people who are ready to share their gifts.

Maine Speaks supports individuals and organizations all over Maine who want to bring people in their community together to learn from and talk with a gifted speaker and event leader who will share their expertise and lived experience in engaging ways.

Maine Speaks event leaders draw on expertise and experience gathered through their work and lives to bring an idea, experience, or topic to life for the audience. Events may be structured in a variety of ways – as a talk, a workshop, a performance – but they all include both an opportunity for the audience to take in what the event leader has to share, and also to engage in discussion with them and with other audience members.

We are especially keen to support projects serving those who are most deeply isolated from each other and the wider community, and those whose work has public impact.

• Organizations serving and led by members of communities traditionally under-resourced in the humanities are encouraged to apply.
• These groups include people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ+, people who live in rural areas, people with disabilities, people who identify as immigrants or refugees, and people whose first (or only) language is not English. (Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.)