New Ventures Maine is now accepting applications for the 2026 Marketing Mini-Grant competition, which provides cash grants of up to $1,000 per region to support small business marketing projects. Applications are due Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.

The NVME Marketing Mini-Grant program strengthens access to customers for microenterprises by supporting the development of marketing tools, materials, and activities through a competitive application process.

To be eligible, businesses must:

• Have five or fewer full-time equivalent employees
  
• Show sales activity within the past 12 months
  
• Report gross annual sales of no more than $150,000 in the previous calendar year

Learn more and apply at .

New Ventures Maine is a statewide education and economic development program administered through the Â鶹APP and the University of Maine System.

Contact:
Alicia LaFosse
NVME Microenterprise Program Manager
alicia.lafosse@maine.edu

A recent Channel 6 news feature spotlighted the work of at the Southern Maine Women’s Reentry Center, highlighting how education and entrepreneurship can support successful reentry. New Ventures Maine is a statewide education and economic development program administered through the Â鶹APP and the University of Maine System, and its work reflects Â鶹APP long-standing commitment to access, responsiveness, and meeting learners where they are.

Through free classes and one-on-one coaching in career planning, small business development, and personal finance, New Ventures Maine helps women prepare for economic independence as they transition back into their communities. By delivering this programming directly inside the reentry center, UMA supports education that is practical, flexible, and rooted in real outcomes, turning moments of transition into opportunities for growth.

Check out the which includes reflections from the instructors’ experience.

Read the full to learn more about the women participating in the program and the real-world impact these learning opportunities will have on their futures. 

The GEN Scholarship encourages adults to pursue a college education. This one-time scholarship, up to $1,000, can be applied to tuition, fees, books, and other expenses at any University of Maine System location, any Maine Community College, and the University of New England.

You are eligible to apply if you live in Maine and have completed one of these free New Ventures Maine classes: My Next Career Move, My Money Works, or Venturing Forth.

Earning the UMS Financial Literacy Micro-Credential also fulfills the class eligibility requirement.

You can earn the University of Maine System (UMS) Financial Literacy Micro-Credential with asynchronous, free classes and individual coaching.

• Complete training in financial practices including budgeting, credit and debt, savings, and net worth
• Create an action plan based on your financial goals
• Training includes three levels of instruction and assessment; earn digital badges as you learn
• The UMS Financial Literacy Micro-Credential fulfills an eligibility requirement for the New Ventures Maine  (matched savings) program and GEN Scholarship

Explore all three levels of the pathway to learn more.

To sign up, fill out and submit the .

If you have questions about the micro-credential, matched savings, or GEN Scholarship, contact Kelley Glidden, NVME Workforce Development Manager, at 207-621-3436 or kelley.glidden@maine.edu.

Do you want to be part of a team that creates an empowering environment for Maine people to define and achieve their career and financial goals? If so, we have the perfect job for you!

New Ventures Maine () is hiring a full-time workforce development specialist to join our staff serving York County. Workforce specialists provide and coordinate workforce and asset development training, advising/coaching, and support to individuals in work/life transition. This position also involves working as a team with other local and statewide workforce and asset staff and interacts with community organizations including education, training and employment programs, financial institutions, businesses, and social service agencies.

The position offers a flexible work schedule with office hours, some travel, and weekend, evening, and work-from-home hours.

NVME is a statewide education and economic development program of the Â鶹APP, University of Maine System. The university offers a wide range of fringe benefits for employees including, but not limited to, employee and dependent tuition benefits and comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.

If you want to set and achieve career, financial, or business goals, check out New Ventures Maine’s workshops and classes this spring. NVME provides tools and support to help you find a good job, further your education, start a business, or manage your money.

Upcoming workshops include:

Building Confidence: Wednesdays, May 10 – 24, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Online.
Whether you are navigating recent changes, looking for a job, starting a business, or simply want to be more confident, join this class to assess your confidence and learn concrete tools to help you build your confidence and keep it strong. (Also offered Wednesdays, May 17 – 31, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.)

My Money Works: Thursdays, May 18 – June 15, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Online.
Gain the skills and confidence you need to stretch your money, pay your bills, reduce debt, find money for savings, plan for retirement, and set personal financial goals with a plan to achieve greater financial stability. Graduates of My Money Works are eligible to apply for the GEN Scholarship to be used at any University of Maine System university, any Maine Community College, or the University of New England. (Class also offered Tuesdays, May 30 – June 27, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.)

Grow Your Business Online (self-paced): Class runs through May 31. Work at your own pace. Gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to create a compelling website for your small business. Made possible by Empower by GoDaddy in partnership with NVME.

Learn more about these and many other free classes at or call 207-621-3440.

Upcoming online workshops include:

: Tuesdays, September 27 – October 11, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Take steps toward work that aligns with your values and skills while also meeting your needs, such as desired salary and benefits. In three, 90-minute class sessions, you will begin to build your plan for the strong future you envision.

: Wednesdays, September 7 – October 5, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Gain the skills and confidence you need to stretch your money, pay your bills, reduce debt, find money for savings, plan for retirement, and set personal financial goals with a plan to achieve greater financial stability. Graduates of My Money Works are eligible to apply for the GEN Scholarship to be used at any University of Maine System university, any Maine Community College, or the University of New England.

: Wednesdays, September 7 – October 19, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

This series of eight online, dynamic workshops was created to help you understand and manage the many components of starting and growing your business successfully. Register for one or more workshops in the series.

Learn more about these and many other free classes at or call toll-free in Maine: 800-442-2092.

Venturing Forth past participant Cyndi Prince, Founder & CEO of LooHoo. (photo: Chris Bennett Photography)

New Ventures Maine has an open call for Venturing Forth: Business Planning for Entrepreneurs, our tuition-free online course, which starts August 23, 2022.

For new entrepreneurs or existing business owners, Venturing Forth helps businesspeople create a written business plan from start to finish. The 14-week comprehensive course includes in-class activities, guest speakers, and homework assignments that lead to the completed business plan and road map for success.

The class will meet via Zoom on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. from August 23 through November 22, 2022.

Individuals complete an online application and attend an orientation and individual interview to participate. Applications are due by noon on Monday, August 15, 2022. Anyone with a business idea or current business is encouraged to apply!

Full-time residents who file a 2021 Maine income tax return by October 31, 2022 are eligible to receive the payments based on adjusted gross income. Eligible residents who have filed a 2021 Maine tax return do not need to take further action to receive a check.

Seniors receiving social security and others who do not typically file tax returns will need to file a 2021 Maine tax return to receive a check.

To receive free help with filing a 2021 Maine tax return to receive an $850 inflation relief check, please visit the .

Answers to questions regarding how and when Maine residents will begin receiving the relief checks can be found on the .

CA$H Maine is a statewide collaboration of nine coalitions, comprised of 50 non- and for-profit partners, working together to help empower Maine individuals and families to achieve long-term financial stability.

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Contact Jennifer DeJoy, NVME Communications & Development Manager, at 621-3433 or visit