The "Open Call" for Community Grant Reviewers has closed for 2026. Please check back April 2027.

Community Grant Reviewer Role Overview

Momentum is committed to building a more inclusive and equitable conservation  movement in Maine. We are actively leaning into the intersection of  conservation and social justice and working to decolonize conservation  through our work partnering with Land Trusts and other conservation  organizations. We, as individuals and as a sector, are continuously  learning about our blind spots and unconscious biases. We know that  biases and disparities disproportionately burden communities of color,  Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, and low-income  communities with legacies of environmental damage and ongoing harm. By  inviting community members to participate in the grant review process  with Momentum staff, our goal is to have a broader perspective on grant  applications and amplify community voices and experiences connected to  this work. Please know that no professional conservation or  environmental experience is required for this role. This is an advisory  role. All feedback from reviewers will be taken into consideration for  the final award decisions.

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We are looking for 12-16 individuals to represent a variety of backgrounds, including, but not limited to:

• Experience working in nonprofits

• Experience in grassroots efforts and/or community organizing

• Experience in communities with limited conservation opportunities or access to the outdoors

• Experience as a land trust professional or volunteer

• Experience in or familiarity with any issues connected to conservation, including  public health, outdoor recreation, education, etc.

• Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color

• LGBTQIA+

• Person with a disability

• Under 22 years old

• 22 – 35 years old

• 36 – 50 years old

• 51 – 65 years old

• 66 – 80+ years old

Timeline:


Grant review will take place between Wednesday, May 6th, 2026 and Wednesday, May 27th, 2026. Reviewers should expect the review to take ~10 hours total. A rubric and full instructions will be provided to selected reviewers in advance of the reading window. 

Training (if you're applying, please save the date!):


We are asking that reviewers attend a mandatory community reviewer training (on Zoom) on Tuesday, May 5th, from 12-1pm. Reviewers will also be required to watch (asynchronously) a bias training video before they begin their review (~30 minutes).

Compensation:


Momentum  Conservation will pay all community grant reviewers a $200 stipend  following the completion of their grant review. We appreciate the time  and expertise that community members bring to our grant review process.

To Apply:


Please apply to be considered as a grant reviewer by completing this form by Sunday, April 19, 2026. Applicants will be notified by Friday, April 24, 2026 if you were/weren’t selected. 

FAQ:


All Community  Reviewers will complete a “Conflict of Interest” form before they  receive their applications to review. Community Reviewers will not score proposals from land trusts that they have close affiliation with, but  are still welcome (and encouraged!) to participate as a Community  Reviewer for other applications.

If you have any questions, please contact Peyton Black, Operations and Grant Program Director, at peyton@momentumconservation.org. Thank you for considering this role!