Dear Friends,
To say the past 12 months have been challenging would be an understatement. The COVID-19 pandemic tested Maine people in ways we never imagined, and we saw just how fragile our safety nets could be. Yet communities rallied, neighbors cared for one another, and people everywhere exhibited kindness, compassion, and resilience. Stories in this newsletter honor some of those efforts.
The staff and volunteers of Maine’s nonprofit organizations were heroes. Stretched thin by demands, they saw needs grow month after month. Food, safe shelter, and child care were immediate concerns, and health and social services became even more essential. Generous donors contributed over $3.7 million to MaineCF’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund and we proactively distributed grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Maine to be used for the most pressing needs. Another $4 million in grants was distributed from MaineCF donor-advised funds directly to nonprofit organizations for critical COVID-19 services.
As social distancing became the watchword, the pandemic provided an immediate incentive to enhance broadband connections. MaineCF worked with partners, including Maine government, to provide resources to help distribute devices and technical assistance to people and to create new internet hot spots. The lack of affordable, dependable high-speed connections continues to pose a hardship for many of our state’s most vulnerable residents. Children, families, and older people risk falling behind in education, suffering social isolation, or not being able to register for COVID-19 vaccinations.
The pandemic also highlighted the disparate impact of the coronavirus on Black, Indigenous, and other people of color and all low-income individuals in Maine. Persistent disparities in access to health care, housing, and income made them far more susceptible to the virus. These disparities will not disappear when the pandemic does. Racial equity and economic justice demand continued attention and action.
Thank you for supporting the Maine Community Foundation’s efforts to help with these and other critical challenges to improve the quality of life for all Maine people. As I announced early this year, I will retire from MaineCF this summer. Leading this organization has been a great honor and privilege. After I leave, I look forward to joining you as a supporting partner of the foundation and its important mission.
Thank you again and best wishes,
Steven Rowe, President and CEO
Maine Community Foundation
On the cover: Seedlings at the Kittery Land Trust’s Nooney Farm. Photo Jill Brady
