Supporting Maine Artists Since 1998
For every pound of our best-selling Rebel Blend coffee sold or brewed at our coffeehouses, $1 is donated to the Rebel Blend Fund. Every year, the total amount collected is awarded to Maine artists or small arts organizations whose proposals are selected by our Rebel Blend committee, made up of CBD team members.
The Rebel Blend committee looks for proposals that may have fallen through conventional funding cracks—thought-provoking projects that have the potential to engage people across the state in meaningful conversation. Since its inception in 1998, over $100,000 in Rebel Blend Grants has been awarded to support local artists.
To be considered for Rebel Blend funding, artists and projects must be Maine-based, and applicants must submit an in-depth project description along with details describing how their projects would benefit from the grant money. For artists, the marketing benefits of this program are often as significant as the financial support. News of our Rebel Blend Fund winners is regularly covered by local media, including an annual press conference and stories of the winners shared across social media.
Rebel Blend grant applications deadlines are announced in the spring. Awards are announced in October.
We'd like to thank our friends at Androscoggin Bank for their Rebel Blend Fund promotional support.
Click the button to access the online application form and learn more about the submission process.
Apply NowOur Past Grant Recipients
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2019
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2023 Rebel Blend Fund Recipients
“Conversations in Compassion”
The funds will support the costs of producing new episodes of this podcast, which builds a compassionate and empathetic community with a focus on marginalized populations including opiate misusers, the mentally ill and homeless veterans.
Dyke March Maine
The annual Dyke March is held the night before Portland Pride. The Rebel Blend funds will assist with the cost of compensating artists for their performances at the event. Performers for Dyke March have included poets, speakers, dancers and musicians. The performances are engaging, participatory, political, defiant and utterly joyous.
TEMPOart 2024 Installation
TEMPOart has selected a Back Cove trail site for a 2024 project. The trail is used by over 200,000 people each year. The site specific work will be a catalyst for conversation about public art in Portland.
The Yellow Tulip Project EXPRESS
The Yellow Tulip Project is a youth-driven movement with a mission to smash the stigma surrounding mental illness and to build a community of people who realize that hope happens when youth and community leaders work together. Rebel Blend Funds will help launch a new program, EXPRESS, which will help students explore and hone their artistic voice through various mediums, and create solo and group-based pieces.
Four Directions Maine in support of the Wabanaki Artisan Fund
Based on surveys with Tribal Leaders, FDDC has determined that there is an opportunity for Native Artisans in Maine to establish, develop, and grow small and micro-sized businessest or sell their products. However, many face unique challenges that limit their ability to establish an artisan business. A large share of the nearly 9,300 members of the four Wabanaki tribes in Maine reside in Aroostook and Washington counties - the northern and eastern portions of the state - in what are among the most economically challenged counties in the country. Opportunities for Native artisans to display their works are extremely limited, and as we learned during the Covid pandemic, Wabanaki artisans rely on in-person events -- craft shows, fairs and annual markets to sell their works. These challenges may be overcome, in part, by FDDC using its resources, connections with the Tribes, and small business expertise to develop services to support Native artisans in Maine. The Artisan Fund will provide financial support to Native artisans through a two-pronged grants program.
2022 Rebel Blend Fund Recipients
Dance for a Nonprofit | Veeva Banga
Veeva Banga and her troop will produce a 20-minute dance video which will be available for viewing for a donation fee. Every month, a nonprofit will be selected as the beneficiary for four weeks of “rental” fees. For more info: veevabangadance@gmail.com
“Hey Party People" | Greg Baker
A Theatre Arts Initiative born out of the Covid lockdown; East Shore Arts produced its first show Summer 2021. A full summer season of professional live theatre which produces three diverse and daring works offered free to the public is in the works for 2022. For more info: dave@eastshorearts.com
Portland Youth Dance Community Program 2023/24 Season | Portland Youth Dance
Grimes Studio addresses the need for affordable and accessible artists' space as they build out additional rooms at their current facility. Renovation of their second floor will result in 25-30 new studios and an additional ADA compliant restroom. For more info: grimestudioportland@gmail.com
Loquat “Loquat Riddim” | Roots & Culture Video Series
Loquat, a fashion and apparel brand focused on empowering marginalized people and causes, has launched a video series telling these stories. Production costs to create episodes focused on artists working with sound will be supported. For more info: loquatseason@gmail.com
Mayo Street Arts | Mayo Street Arts & East End Community School
Working in partnership with East End Community School (EECS) and its Parent Teacher Organization (EECS PTO), Mayo Street Arts will present three in-school performances – each accompanied by multiple hands-on workshops with the artists. For more info: info@mayostreetarts.org
Click to see a full list of past Rebel Blend Fund recipients going back to the first award in 1998.
