ELLSWORTH, Maine — Nonprofit and public organizations seeking funding for projects that strengthen communities may apply to the Maine Community Foundation’s Community Building Grant Program.
A volunteer committee of Aroostook County residents and business leaders reviews grant applications and makes recommendations for funding. The deadline for applying is Feb. 15.
Applicants should note that the grant criteria and application questions have changed. Application and guidelines are available at www.mainecf.org.
In 2017, the committee awarded nearly $53,000 in grants to seven nonprofits. They included:
$9,600 to Cary Medical Center, for free hypertension screening and diabetes prevention programs that will include training and certification of University of Maine at Fort Kent nursing students and healthy cooking and fitness programs for six communities.
$8,680 to the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum, to create an exhibit that highlights contributions of the Micmacs to potato harvesting in Aroostook County and that features the world’s largest potato basket.
$6,000 to the Town of Madawaska, to help the local food pantry make energy efficiency improvements that will decrease operational costs and increase funding available for programming.
Aroostook County businesses and individuals established the Aroostook County Fund in 1986 to ensure The County would have local charitable resources to address community issues and challenges.
The foundation also offers 39 different academic scholarships to students from Aroostook County. Scholarship descriptions and application information are available in the scholarship section of www.mainecf.org.
Headquartered in Ellsworth, with additional offices in Portland, Dover-Foxcroft and Mars Hill, the Maine Community Foundation works with donors and other partners to improve the quality of life for all Maine people. To learn more about the foundation, visit www.mainecf.org.
