AUGUSTA — The Maine Commission for Community Service is accepting applications for 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service projects. The $500 grants are for nonprofit organizations, civic groups with a nonprofit status, state and local government agencies, faith-based organizations and congregations, local educational institutions and institutions of higher education that would like to initiate a service project in honor of MLK Jr. Day of Service.

While all project proposals should target issues of high importance, preference will be given to projects in the following focus areas: increasing the number of Maine students to complete high school; increasing the number of Maine students who pursue post high school training/education; decreasing the incidence of obesity in Maine; service to veterans, their families or military families and reduction of home energy consumption.

All projects must be open to the public. Applications are due on Dec. 2 and must be submitted online. Register online at http://maineservicecommission.gov/grants/.

For more information, contact Krysta Lilly-Brown at 624-6238 or [email protected].