In 1992, the Western Mountains Fund was launched with a gift from the late H. King Cummings, who was an ardent, early supporter of the Maine Community Foundation. The fund’s advisory committee awarded initial grants to Athens Union Meeting House, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kennebec Valley, and Bossov Ballet Theatre, among other nonprofits in the region. Since that time, the Western Mountains Committee has awarded more than $1,050,000 in grants.
In addition to the Western Mountains Fund, the foundation currently holds more than $2.6 million in assets dedicated to Franklin and Somerset counties through donor-advised funds, scholarships, nonprofit endowments, field-of-interest funds, and designated funds to support specific organizations.
The Maine Community Foundation manages the Western Mountains Fund, and local leaders, knowledgeable about their communities, help review grant applications and distribute funding.
| Recent grants from the Western Mountains Committee |
- Somerset Economic Development Corporation, Skowhegan, to print and distribute a cultural heritage and recreation assets-based map and guide
- Coastal Enterprises, Inc., Wiscasset, to fund the Rim County Women’s Business Initiative, which provides entrepreneurship assistance to low-income women in seven counties
- Foothills Arts Center, Farmington, for development of an interactive website to increase community participation and outreach.
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Other ways MaineCF is serving the region
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- Since 2002, the foundation has generated more than $111,000 in additional grant support for projects serving Western Mountains region from its network of donors responding to proposals submitted to the foundation's competitive grant programs
- Franklin County scholarships
- Somerset County scholarships
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To apply
Please refer to the guidelines and priorities for the Community Building Grant Program.
To make a donation or for more information about the Western Mountains Fund
Please contact Ann Marie Bartoo, regional coordinator, via e-mail or by phone at 1-207-353-0600.
| Members of the Western Mountains Committee |
Bill Berry, Farmington, Chair
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Nancy Perlson, Madrid |
| Chuck Carpenter, Skowhegan |
CharlesPlanting, Farmington |
| Sally Dwyer, Skowhegan |
Vici Robinson, Kingfield |
| Tracy Harty, Farmington |
Sarah Strunk, Eustis |
| Maurice Moreau, Jay |
Donald Tranten, Kingfield |
| Carolann Ouelette, Jackman |
Carl Van Husen, Madison |