This year, we celebrate three of our county and regional funds that together have provided nearly $2.8 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and projects in Franklin, Oxford, Somerset, and York counties.
MaineCF launched its first endowed county funds in 1986, built with the generosity of donors who knew their gifts could collectively improve the quality of life in places they love. Today the County and Regional Program encompasses every county in Maine.
While staff members oversee the program, they rely on volunteer advisors in each county for firsthand knowledge of their communities' needs and aspirations. In 2022, local committees across the state reviewed 462 proposals and recommended 192 Community Building grants totaling $1.6 million.
Oxford
The Oxford County Fund, now celebrating its 25th year, has focused on small grants to core organizations that do broad community work - from food security and environmental education to recreation and access to the outdoors. The Oxford County Committee has awarded 195 grants since 1997 that total more than $697,000.
Last year, grants through the fund helped start a new food pantry in Rumford and provided support for a food center that provides community education from garden to table in Norway. Grants also benefited rural and underserved youth through summer science education programs; residents of the Bethel region over age 70 through an outreach program; and low-income pet owners with subsidized veterinary care. Everyone benefited from a grant that supported building more trails as enjoying the outdoors became one of the safest and most popular activities during a pandemic.
Western Mountains
MaineCF's Western Mountains Fund began with the generosity of King Cummings, MaineCF's first board chair, who loved western Maine and its hard-working people. Cummings, who had been president of Guilford Woolen Mills, believed in on-the-ground grantmaking and left $1 million in his will to launch the fund.
Thirty years later, the fund has benefited a broad range of projects and organizations in both Franklin and Somerset counties and helped build stronger communities through 464 grants totaling more than $2.2 million.
High poverty rates, food insecurity, transportation, and a lack of affordable housing are top of mind in these rural counties. Grants in 2021 also helped provide key services during the pandemic, including library internet service, support for essential workers, and expansion of safe spaces for outdoor gatherings.
York
York County has the second-highest median income of all counties in the state, but like much of Maine it also wrestles with dual challenges of housing and food insecurity.
For the past 15 years, donors have helped the York County Fund grow to more than $1.8 million - assets that have provided 183 grants totaling more than $873,000 to nonprofit organizations and projects across the county.
Grants in 2021 targeted several housing and food efforts during the pandemic, with support for community gardens in Biddeford, takeout meals in Berwick, and curbside food distribution in several towns. Other grants helped a Kittery nonprofit expand a pilot program that secures permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness and a new housing program in Alfred to assist homeless women recovering from substance addictions.
