Keep the Faith Fund

In times like these - fire, flood, or coastal storms - citizens of Belfast are there to support their neighbors. Belfast’s ‘Keep the Faith Fund’ allows the City to move quickly to address the needs of residents or businesses who are impacted by sudden hardship, how, and when, they need it most.

The Fund was launched by the Mayor and City Council in April of 2020 to provide relief to Belfast residents facing financial hardships due to the unforeseen COVID-19 pandemic. Its initial use was providing grocery vouchers and small business grants, but it has grown to much more than that, as residents and local businesses continue to look out for one another.

As was said by Mayor Sanders in 2020 “I am in awe of the Citizens of Belfast, and we all now fully realize why we live here. The amount of awareness from our Council, our commitment to our City, and to the people and small businesses that make up Belfast; the Keep the Faith Fund is simply a by-product of love for our Community.”

Since its inception, the Keep the Faith Fund has been used to support residents and small businesses that have been victims of fire, economic turmoil, and natural disasters; ensuring the integral structure of Belfast – our community – remains intact. The Fund is a reflection of our Mayor and Council responding to what our community truly needs. 

Community members and local organizations alike are encouraged to donate.

You can help make a difference when it matters most by donating online on Go Fund Me, hosted by Our Town Belfast, at https://gofund.me/5c1e871b, or by check to City of Belfast and note ‘Keep the Faith’ in the memo. All donations are tax deductible, just ask the City Clerk’s Office for a receipt if you pay by check. 

Please consider making a donation today and thank you for supporting your friends and neighbors in the City of Belfast.

Small Business Grant Program

Please note: The Belfast City Council has authorized a second round of Keep the Faith Fund Small Business Grant Program funding, so a business that received assistance during the first round can apply again for additional funding.

In response to the recent storms that have impacted many of our local businesses along the Harbor, the Belfast Mayor, and City Council plan to use the 'Keep the Faith Fund' to address the needs of the businesses affected by the recent coastal storms.

How to apply for the Small Business Grant:

1. Print off and complete the form. If you do not have the ability to print the form, please email economicdevelopment@cityofbelfast.org or call (207) 338-3370, extension 116 and leave your name and phone number.  A staff member will contact you on how best to proceed.

2. Once your form is completed, please mail it to: 

City of Belfast, Attn: Small Business Grant Program 

131 Church Street, Belfast, Maine 04915

OR drop off your completed application in the Drop Box located at Belfast City Hall at the High Street entrance. A staff member will call you to let you know if you qualify and if you do, how we will get the grant awarded to you.

Keep the Faith Fund Small Business Grant Program (in Microsoft Word format)

Keep the Faith Fund Small Business Grant Program (in Adobe Portable Document format)