Which Type of Fund is Right for You?
Imagine what you hope to achieve through your giving now or into the future. The Maine Community Foundation can help you identify your philanthropic goals and craft a personal charitable giving plan that reflects your passions.
Would you like to broaden or increase the effectiveness of your giving in Maine? Consider our flexible funds. Do you care deeply about a nonprofit organization and hope to ensure its continued success? Consider establishing a designated fund. Are you committed to educational opportunities? Explore establishing a scholarship fund. Read on to see the many ways MaineCF can be your go-to partner for charitable giving.
Donate to a Flexible Fund
Invest in Maine Fund: Support statewide issues
When you join others who share your passion for Maine you can enhance the power of your own philanthropy. Our flexible funds are designed to address current and future issues in Maine. While we cannot always predict what those needs or opportunities might be, this fund ensures we’re ready to respond with grants to programs and projects that need them most. Recent grants from this fund have addressed impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and have supported early childhood development, access to education for adults and nontraditional students, racial equity, programs that help older people thrive, and support for entrepreneurs and innovators.
County and Regional Funds: Support local efforts
These funds established for every Maine county provide permanent resources that support nonprofit organizations throughout the state. Local volunteers review applications and award grants for projects or programs that can address needs and build vibrant communities. A gift to your county fund will support the community you love – now and long into the future.
Create a Fund
Donor-Advised Fund
Advised funds are an economical and flexible vehicle for your individual and family philanthropy. They’re also an attractive alternative to private foundations. Donors can recommend grants to qualified organizations that match their interests within Maine or across the country. Our staff has extensive knowledge of Maine and is at the ready to consult donor advisors about their grantmaking. With more than 1,000 proposals submitted each year to our 21 competitive grant funds, you’ll never find a shortage of opportunities to support Maine people. Minimum fund establishment contribution $25,000.
Why choose a donor-advised fund at MaineCF?
Scholarship Fund
When you create a scholarship fund, you invest in the future. MaineCF provides the expertise to help you meet your personal goals and award scholarships that will help students achieve their educational aspirations. Minimum fund establishment contribution: Designated $10,000; Level 1 $25,000; Level 2 $250,000; Level 3 $500,000.
Field-of-Interest Fund
A field-of-interest fund connects your charitable investment with your specific areas of interest or concern, such as higher education, the environment, arts, health, and community well-being. You may also specify a certain geographic area. Foundation staff will use your instructions as the guidelines to identify organizations and award grants that can make an impact in the areas you support. Minimum fund establishment contribution $100,000.
Designated Fund
You can support the work of a specific nonprofit organization by establishing a designated fund at MaineCF. Your gift will provide your chosen organization with permanent funding and premier investment management services from MaineCF. If the organization you choose ever ceased to exist, the community foundation would find a similar organization that honors your interest or intent. Minimum fund establishment contribution $10,000.
For more information or to arrange a meeting with a member of the Maine Community Foundation philanthropy staff, contact Jennifer Richard, senior director of gift planning.
