Knox County Homeless Coalition's dedicated fleet of vehicles fills a service gap in transportation for employment, education, childcare and other critical services. Photo courtesy Knox County Homeless Coalition
The Maine Community Foundation’s (MaineCF) has awarded $120,000 to nonprofit organizations that provide transportation services to Mainers. MaineCF’s Maine Charity Foundation Fund awarded $91,000 to 14 organizations and another $29,000 was awarded to four organizations by donors with advised funds at MaineCF.
The Maine Charity grant program supports organizations that provide transportation services to people in Maine with limited or no access to transportation, including New Mainers, older people, people experiencing homelessness, those recovering from substance use disorder and survivors of domestic violence.
2023 grantees include:
- Healthy Acadia, to develop a transportation program for under-resourced community members to access healthcare appointments and social support services
- Knox County Homeless Coalition, to hire a second driver to extend its transportation service hours
- Neighbors Driving Neighbors, to expand rider, driver, and destination outreach and increase capacity to meet demand for rides.
The Maine Charity Foundation was established in 1921. In September 1993, its assets were transferred to the MaineCF, where it became a competitive grant program. Over the years, the grant program criteria and priorities have changed to meet the needs of Mainers. In 2023, the fund broadened its scope to include organizations that provide transportation services for those with limited or no access to transportation.
For more information about the fund, visit www.mainecf.org/mainecharity.
