How many women's programs resources are in Maine?

Women's Corner tracks 17 women's programs resources for women in Maine.

Are women's programs resources in Maine free?

17 of the 17 listed women's programs resources in Maine are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Maine have women's programs resources?

Listings span cities including Augusta, Lewiston, Portland, Wiscasset, Waterville.

What are some examples of women's programs resources in Maine?

Featured entries include Maine Women's Policy Center, YWCA of Central Maine, Women, Work and Community, Dress for Success — Maine, Maine Women's Business Center (CEI).

Do these listings include phone numbers?

9 of 17 Maine women's programs listings include phone numbers.

What do women's empowerment programs actually offer?

Most combine peer support groups, financial literacy and credit-building classes, job training, GED prep, leadership development, and help navigating benefits and legal systems. Many include free childcare during sessions. Programs like Dress for Success, Bottomless Closet, and YWCA chapters serve women rebuilding after divorce, abuse, or job loss.

Are there programs for single moms specifically?

Yes. The Life of a Single Mom (TLSM) operates in 30+ states with peer groups and crisis grants. Helping Hands for Single Moms funds college for single mothers. Modest Needs gives short-term emergency grants. Many United Way 211 calls connect single mothers to local single-mom funds for rent, car repair, or childcare.

Do these programs cost money?

Almost all empowerment programs are free for income-qualifying women, often funded through HHS Office of Family Assistance, state TANF dollars, or private foundations. Many include free meals, transportation stipends, and childcare. Bring ID, proof of income, and any benefits letters when you enroll.

Can I get help starting a business as a woman?

Yes. The SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership funds 140+ Women's Business Centers nationwide offering free training, mentorship, and loan readiness. SCORE provides free women-mentor pairings. Grants like the Amber Grant ($10,000/month) and Cartier Women's Initiative target women founders. Many states have additional women-owned business certifications that unlock contracts.

Best Women's Programs in Maine — 17 resources

About Women's Programs for Women

Women's empowerment programs in the US are funded through a mix of federal grants (Office on Women's Health, Women's Bureau at the Department of Labor, WANTO grants for nontraditional trades) and nonprofit networks like the YWCA, AAUW, and the National Council of Women's Organizations. Services typically include leadership development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship through SBA Women's Business Centers (WBCs), and peer support groups. Dress for Success outfits women re-entering the workforce, and Bottomless Closet and Step Up Network mentor low-income women. State-level women's commissions advocate on policy and refer to local providers. This directory aggregates WBCs, YWCAs, women's commissions, and empowerment nonprofits.

Women's Programs in Maine

Maine district courts handle most family matters; superior courts handle more complex cases and appeals. The Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery operates under DHHS. Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, and Auburn are the largest cities. Pine Tree Legal Assistance and the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence support women, with strong online self-help resources for custody and support.

17 Resources

1. Maine Women's Policy Center — Free

Statewide advocacy and policy organization based in Augusta (P.O. Box 5245) that publishes the biennial Maine Women's Lobby agenda and pushes legislation on paid family leave, equal pay, and reproductive rights at the Maine State House. Call 207-622-0851 to volunteer or to find out which legislators are sponsoring bills you care about.

207-622-0851 · P.O. Box 5245, Augusta, ME 04332 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

2. YWCA of Central Maine — Free

The Lewiston YWCA at 130 East Ave runs a fitness center, pool, and racial-justice and women's-empowerment programming for the twin cities. Membership is sliding-scale; financial assistance is available. Call 207-795-4050 to ask about Money Smart financial-literacy workshops and the women's leadership cohort.

207-795-4050 · 130 East Ave, Lewiston, ME 04240 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Women, Work and Community — Free

Now operating as New Ventures Maine, this program at 46 University Dr in Augusta delivers free workforce, small-business, and financial-empowerment training for Maine women through the University of Maine System. Call 207-621-3440 to find the nearest workshop in your county.

207-621-3440 · 46 University Dr, Augusta, ME 04330 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Dress for Success — Maine — Free

The Dress for Success Maine affiliate in Portland provides referral-based interview suiting and career coaching for women returning to work after time out of the labor force. Appointments are by referral letter from a partner agency such as a CareerCenter, ASPIRE, or a DV program. Call 207-523-9382 to confirm the next suiting day.

207-523-9382 · Portland, ME · By appointment · Visit Website

5. Maine Women's Business Center (CEI) — Free

CEI's Women's Business Center in Wiscasset offers free business advising, training, and microloans for Maine women starting or growing a business — from food trucks to lobster-boat outfitters to home daycares. Call 207-882-7552 to schedule an advising session in person or by phone.

207-882-7552 · Wiscasset, ME 04578 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Hardy Girls Healthy Women — Maine — Free

Waterville-based nonprofit running after-school clubs, summer programs, and the Adventure Girls outdoor initiative for Maine girls ages 8-17 — focused on body image, critical media literacy, and leadership. Call 207-861-8131 to ask about scholarships for cohorts that fill quickly.

207-861-8131 · Waterville, ME · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Junior League of Portland — Free

Portland-area women's volunteer organization training members in nonprofit leadership while running community projects on literacy, food insecurity, and women's economic security. Call 207-780-4252 to learn about the provisional member class and community placement opportunities.

207-780-4252 · Portland, ME · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

8. Girl Scouts of Maine — Free

Girl Scouts of Maine serves girls K-12 across the state with troops, day camps, and the iconic Camp Natarswi on Pemadumcook Lake. Financial assistance covers registration, uniforms, and camp fees for low-income families. Call 888-922-4763 to find a troop near you.

888-922-4763 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

9. New Ventures Maine — Free

Statewide free program at 46 University Dr in Augusta delivering career planning, small-business start-up training, and money-management classes specifically for Maine women. Cohorts run in every county, in-person and online. Call 207-621-3440 to register; many classes have childcare and gas-card supports built in.

207-621-3440 · 46 University Dr, Augusta, ME 04330 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. AAUW — American Association of University Women — Free

AAUW's national organization has been advancing women's equity through education and research since 1881. The Maine branches in Portland, Bangor, and the midcoast run Tech Trek STEM camps for middle-school girls and award local scholarships each spring.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. National Organization for Women (NOW) — Free

Grassroots feminist organization with the Maine NOW chapter active on reproductive rights, paid leave, and ERA advocacy at the State House in Augusta. The national site explains how to start or join a chapter and where to plug in on current campaigns.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. League of Women Voters — Free

LWV of Maine, headquartered in Augusta, runs nonpartisan voter education, candidate forums, and the trusted Vote411.org Maine guide each election cycle. Membership is open to anyone of any gender age 16+.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. YWCA USA — Free

National YWCA umbrella whose Maine affiliate is YWCA Central Maine in Lewiston. Local programming covers women's economic empowerment, racial-justice work, and childcare. Use the national site to find affiliates if you live outside the Lewiston-Auburn area.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Women's Funding Network — Free

Coalition of women's foundations including the Maine Women's Fund, which makes grants to Maine nonprofits serving women and girls. Useful for mothers leading projects who want to research who funds women-focused work in the state.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Junior League — Free

International association of Junior Leagues — the Portland chapter is the active Maine member, training women in nonprofit governance and grantmaking. Public site explains membership pathways and the New Member experience.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Soroptimist International — Free

Global volunteer service organization for business and professional women. Maine clubs in Portland, Augusta, and Aroostook County award the Live Your Dream Awards to women re-entering education while supporting their families.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. Zonta International — Free

Service organization of professional women whose Maine club has historically funded scholarships and DV-survivor support locally. Public site explains how to find or charter a Zonta club in Maine.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many women's programs resources are in Maine?: Women's Corner tracks 17 women's programs resources for women in Maine.
Are women's programs resources in Maine free?: 17 of the 17 listed women's programs resources in Maine are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Maine have women's programs resources?: Listings span cities including Augusta, Lewiston, Portland, Wiscasset, Waterville.
What are some examples of women's programs resources in Maine?: Featured entries include Maine Women's Policy Center, YWCA of Central Maine, Women, Work and Community, Dress for Success — Maine, Maine Women's Business Center (CEI).
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 9 of 17 Maine women's programs listings include phone numbers.
What do women's empowerment programs actually offer?: Most combine peer support groups, financial literacy and credit-building classes, job training, GED prep, leadership development, and help navigating benefits and legal systems. Many include free childcare during sessions. Programs like Dress for Success, Bottomless Closet, and YWCA chapters serve women rebuilding after divorce, abuse, or job loss.
Are there programs for single moms specifically?: Yes. The Life of a Single Mom (TLSM) operates in 30+ states with peer groups and crisis grants. Helping Hands for Single Moms funds college for single mothers. Modest Needs gives short-term emergency grants. Many United Way 211 calls connect single mothers to local single-mom funds for rent, car repair, or childcare.
Do these programs cost money?: Almost all empowerment programs are free for income-qualifying women, often funded through HHS Office of Family Assistance, state TANF dollars, or private foundations. Many include free meals, transportation stipends, and childcare. Bring ID, proof of income, and any benefits letters when you enroll.
Can I get help starting a business as a woman?: Yes. The SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership funds 140+ Women's Business Centers nationwide offering free training, mentorship, and loan readiness. SCORE provides free women-mentor pairings. Grants like the Amber Grant (
0,000/month) and Cartier Women's Initiative target women founders. Many states have additional women-owned business certifications that unlock contracts.