Build Hope Project (Build HOPE Fund)
The Build HOPE Fund was a four-year initiative (2022-2026) run by Maine Equal Justice that provided flexible, need-based financial assistance of up to $2,000 per year to low-income parents enrolled in Maine's HOPE and Parents as Scholars postsecondary education programs. Funds helped cover unmet costs such as transportation, housing, utilities, child care and school supplies that could otherwise force parents to drop out. The project was funded by private philanthropic sources, including seed funding from leftover 2020 U.S. Senate campaign funds and support from the John T. Gorman Foundation. Over its life the fund distributed nearly $2.9-3 million to almost 1,800 families across all 16 Maine counties. Maine Equal Justice released a final evaluation report in March 2026, at which point the initiative concluded.
Parenting students, higher education, emergency/flexible assistance fund, Maine, workforce development
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Maine Equal Justice
- City
- Augusta
- State / Province
- Maine
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Phone
- +1 866 626 7059
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Inactive
- Application status
- Timed
- Funding type
- Philanthropic
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 2,000 USD
- Payment frequency
- Lump Sum
- Benefit details
Provided flexible, need-based grants of up to $2,000 per year (not a recurring guaranteed income) to help cover urgent costs like transportation, rent, utilities, child care, car repairs and school supplies for parenting students. Distributed nearly $2.9-3 million total to almost 1,800 families across all 16 Maine counties over the program's four-year run (2022-2026). Funds supplemented support already provided through Maine's HOPE and Parents as Scholars programs. Recipients could access the fund to fill gaps not covered by other benefits while working with HOPE Navigators and Maine Equal Justice's legal services team. The initiative wrapped up with a final report and policy recommendations released March 11, 2026.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Available to low-income parents/caretaker relatives of minor children who were enrolled in Maine's HOPE (Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment) program or the Parents as Scholars (PaS) TANF program while pursuing postsecondary education or training. The underlying HOPE program requires Maine residency and applicants aged 16-64. Nearly 75% of participants reported household income under $20,000/year, and 74% were single heads of household. No separate public application existed for the Build HOPE Fund itself; access was arranged through HOPE Navigators/Maine Equal Justice for enrolled program participants.
Demographics
- Minimum age
- 16
- Maximum age
- 64
- Education level
- Associate, Bachelor's
Family
- Family Status
- Parent, Single Parent
- Number of dependents (minimum)
- 1
Geography
- US states covered
- Maine
- Countries covered
- United States
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Required
- Complementary program enrollment required
- Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment (HOPE), Parents as Scholars (PaS)
- Research / participation requirements
Maine Equal Justice collected data from participants who accessed the fund to compile and analyze outcomes. Findings were published in a final report (authored by Luisa S. Deprez, professor emerita, University of Southern Maine) released March 11, 2026, used to inform state policy recommendations on housing, transportation, and child care supports for low-income parenting students.
Application Process
- How to apply
No standalone public application; eligible parents enrolled in the HOPE or Parents as Scholars programs accessed Build HOPE Fund support through their HOPE Navigator (provided via Jobs for Maine Graduates) or Maine Equal Justice staff to address specific unmet needs.
- Selection process
Not competitive; funds were made available to enrolled HOPE/PaS participants who documented unmet financial needs, administered in coordination with HOPE Navigators and Maine Equal Justice's legal services team.
