Transforming the Lives of Maine Women and Girls
The Maine Community Foundation’s Maine Women’s Fund (MWF) is committed to making investments in organizations that transform the lives of Maine women and girls.
From 1989 to 2022, the MWF invested over $3 million in organizations working to transform the lives of women and girls in Maine. The six funding areas included education, financial skills and literacy, healthcare, leadership, personal safety and policy.
More recently, MWF focused on making pivotal systems and social change aimed at creating greater gender equity, especially for Black, Indigenous and other women of color. Beyond grants, they fostered a collaborative community dedicated to advancing gender equity. In 2022, MWF transitioned to MaineCF so that a greater proportion of the funding could be put to work in communities.
Background of the Maine Women's Fund
The Maine Women's Fund started at MaineCF in 1988 thanks to the efforts of Gloria W. Milliken of New York City and Westport, Maine, who was a founder and board member of the New York Women's Foundation.
It then became its own organization and made more than 525 investments totaling over $3 million to organizations that transform the lives of women and girls across the state. In 2022, the Maine Women’s Fund transferred $3 million in assets to MaineCF, which will steward its resources and make bold investments that transform the lives of Maine women and girls.
The Karen Moran Leadership Fund of the Maine Women’s Fund honors the life and work of Karen Moran. Its goal is to strengthen leadership capacity of women and girls of all races and backgrounds.
For more information about the Maine Women's Fund, please contact senior community partner Gloria Aponte C.
2024 Grants
In 2024, the Maine Women's Fund at MaineCF awarded eight, $15,000 grants to totaling $120,000 to organizations whose critical work fulfills the MWF's goals.
- Four Directions Development Corporation
- Hardy Girls
- In Her Presence
- New Ventures Maine
- Maine Community Integration
- MaineTransNet
- Maine Women’s Lobby Education Fund
- Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness
Advisory Committee
Maine Community Foundation appreciates the MWF's advisory committee.
This group of individuals bring their unique perspectives to the committee to help inform the MWF’s strategies and grantmaking.
The advisory committee includes:
- Beth Broderick, Portland
- Layla Chai, Orneville Township
- Shannon Coffin, Livermore
- Kathy Cook, Mariaville
- Gabrielle Gallucci, Saco
- Ruth Griffith, Parkman
- Rosalind Morgan, Linneus
- Gilda Nardone, Brunswick
- Monica Pettengill Jerkins, Swanville
- Michelle Waring, Portland
- Sarah Woodard, Freeport
