The Southern Midcoast Committee of the Maine Community Foundation has awarded $96,683 in community-building grants to 16 nonprofits. The committee awards grants from MaineCF’s Lincoln County Fund and Sagadahoc County Fund.

Grant recipients include:

Healthy Lincoln County, Damariscotta, to expand the Lincoln County Gleaners' scope of services and distribution reach to increase access to local produce for populations experiencing food insecurity

Midcoast Community Alliance, Bath, to implement a youth leadership program that will increase protective factors around high-risk youth by developing critical long-term supports, opportunities, and relationships

The Carpenter’s Boat Shop, Pemaquid, to upgrade the phone system and internet access.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MaineCF staff worked remotely with available county/regional committee members to expedite review of proposals. Grant recipients have the choice of extending the period during which to complete the work originally proposed and/or the flexibility to use the funding in other ways to meet current, unexpected organizational needs.

The Lincoln and Sagadahoc county funds are permanent endowments that support projects and nonprofits that strengthen communities in the counties. Applications go through MaineCF’s Community Building Grant Program and are reviewed by a committee of local leaders.

The next proposal deadline is Feb. 15, 2021. The application, guidelines and a complete list of 2020 grants can be found at www.mainecf.org.

MaineCF’s county funds are built through donations from the community. If you would like more information about the funds, please contact Maggie Drummond-Bahl, MaineCF senior program officer, at (877) 700-6800 or by email at mbahl@mainecf.org