PORTLAND
Gorman Foundation accepting grant applications
The John T. Gorman Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2022 Direct Services Grant Program to support organizations that are addressing the basic needs of vulnerable Mainers, such as food, shelter, clothing, physical and mental health, and transportation.
This year, the program will make available a total of $1.5 million in grants. Grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded.
The deadline to apply is by 5 p.m. March 1.
Foundation staff will hold a virtual information session at 9 a.m. Thursday to take questions on the program and walk through the application process. To register, email info@jtgfoundation.org.
More information is available at jtgfoundation.org/2022dsgp.
SOUTH PORTLAND
ProsperityME gets grant to teach financial skills
The Atlantic Federal Credit Union Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to ProsperityME to help promote, teach and enhance financial skills and literacy.
ProsperityME executive director Claude Rwaganje noted, “ProsperityME is thrilled and honored to be the very first recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Atlantic Federal Credit Union Foundation. This grant will support our efforts to help recent immigrants acquire the knowledge they need to be financially successful and feel empowered to invest in themselves and their newfound community.”
SANFORD
Gardening plots available, including for kids
Sanford Community Gardening is accepting applications for the 2022 season. The garden is part of the David and Linda Pence Community Ecology Center at the McKeon Environmental Reserve in Springvale.
Due to an increasing demand for more of the raised garden beds, project sponsor Mousam Way Land Trust doubled the original number of the available 4’x 12’ beds to 52, including several smaller 3’x 5′ beds for younger children to garden under the supervision of their parents and grandparents.
Some of the new children’s boxes will be reserved for use as part of a collaboration with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and its “Kids Can Grow” program, overseen by the Extension’s Master Gardener Volunteer program. After completing an application, young gardeners, ages 7-12, will be assigned a volunteer mentor, garden soil, seeds, and a 3’x5’ raised bed to be installed at their home, or at the community garden.
For garden plots applications, to the land trust website. To sign up for the Kids Can Grow program, go to extension.umaine.edu/york/kids-can-grow-in-york-county/ and click the Apply Online button.
AUGUSTA
Winners of Maine Native American essay contest congratulated
Secretary of State Shenna Bellows congratulated three students as the winners of the 2021 Maine Native American History and Culture Essay Contest.
Ronan Drage, a Grade 7 student at Boothbay Region Elementary School, won middle school first place for his essay, “The Wabanaki Dawn Versus The First Light.” Jasai Marable, a Grade 7 student at Windsor Elementary School, won middle school second place for his essay “The Maine Maliseet Tribe.” Shylah Woodford, a junior at Maranacook Community High School, won high school first place for her essay “The People of Dawnland.”
Maine law Title 20-A 4706 requires schools to teach Maine Native American history. To learn more about this contest and other student programs offered by the Office of the Secretary of State, visit maine.gov/sos/kids/programs.
PORTLAND/ELLSWORTH
MaineCF accepting proposal for funding support
The Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF) is accepting proposals until 11:59 p.m., Feb. 15 for funding support from its Community Building Grant Program.
The program, which invests in local projects and organizations that make communities stronger, last year awarded more than $1.3 million in grants. Donors also contributed $509,672 to award more grants through MaineCF’s Giving Together initiative.
The grant program focuses on efforts to increase people’s skills, knowledge, abilities, or well-being as well as strengthen community resources.
For more details or get an application, click here.
KITTERY
Credit union raises more than $5,000 for Honor Flight Maine
Northeast Credit Union donated $5,210 to Honor Flight Maine, an organization dedicated to honoring the country’s most senior veterans by providing trips to Washington, D.C, to visit the war memorials built in their honor.
Each November, Northeast CU members are invited to purchase Honor Flight stars at all branch locations, with all proceeds directly benefiting Honor Flight Maine.
To learn more about Honor Flight New England, visit honorflightmaine.org.
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