County Fund marks 30 years
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
30 YEARS OF GRANTS — The 30th anniversary of the Maine Community Foundation Piscataquis County Fund was celebrated on Sept. 21 at The Mill in Dover-Foxcroft, as nearly $680,000 has been awarded to more than 100 nonprofits in the last three decades. Piscataquis County Fund advisers are front, from left, Heather Weymouth Pomerleau, Chair Julie Mallett, Gail Stutzman, Jenny Ward, Cathy Sweetser and Maine Community Foundation Central Maine Foundation Officer Laura A. Reed. Back, Dr. Kevin Chasse, Paul Bradeen, Douglas Cummings, Vice Chair Ethan Annis, Brad Deane and Jim Macomber.
112 nonprofits have shared $680,000
By Stuart Hedstrom
Staff Writer
DOVER-FOXCROFT — For the last three decades, the Maine Community Foundation’s Piscataquis County Fund has awarded over 200 grants totaling nearly $680,000 to 112 nonprofits working to improve the quality of life in the region. A fund anniversary on Sept. 21 at The Mill celerated the past 30 years and the program’s future.
“Our core purpose is to work with donors and corporate partners to improve the lives of all Mainers,” Piscataquis County Fund Chair Julie Mallett said to open the presentation. She said grant applications are reviewed and awarded “to address local challenges and improve the quality of life for people in Piscataquis County.”
Mallett then introduced the other 10 Piscataquis County Fund advisers. She said grants totaling over $55,600 have been awarded across the region in 2016, benefitting historical societies in Monson and Brownville, the Moosehead Marine Museum, downtown revitalization in Greenville, a women’s retreat through the JD Foundation, a downhill ski program for Greenville school children, a mobile technology classroom for the Charlotte White Center and a Piscataquis Regional YMCA childcare center in Greenville.
She said in the last three decades a total of 213 grants equaling $678,854 have been awarded to the 112 nonprofits.
Maine Community Foundation President and CEO Steve Rowe said the larger foundation began in 1983 “and in total since 1983 the Community Foundation has awarded, in grants and scholarships, more than $5.4 million.” Rowe said the funds are usually leveraged, resulting in a greater investment in the community.
“Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all Maine people,” Rowe said, as grants are aimed at helping residents improve themselves.
Maine Community Foundation Central Maine Foundation Officer Laura A. Reed, a resident of Dover-Foxcroft, said she has been involved with the foundation as a staff member and volunteer for two decades. “Over the last several years I have had the pleasure to witness the power of philanthropy firsthand,” Reed said. She said about $100,000 was recently left to the Piscataquis County Fund from two benefactors to double the fund.
Reed said in recognition of the 30th anniversary, three unrestricted $5,000 grants were awarded to organizations serving the entire county. She said over 100 potential recipients were considered and anniversary grants were awarded that evening to the Center Theatre, Pine Tree Hospice and the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC).
“I can say with all honesty the theatre would not be here without the generosity of the Piscataquis County Fund,” Center Theatre Executive Director Patrick Myers said.
Myers said the theatre is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2016, but the organization’s origins date back to 1998. He said the first grant from the Piscataquis County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation helped the theatre host a film festival during the early days. “That grant also supported our children’s summer drama camp,” Myers said, with this program going strong after more than a decade and a half.
“When I think of that drama program over 17 years, I think of the Piscataquis County Fund over 30,” he said. Myers said the Center Theatre provides social and economic benefits to the community “and all of that is possible thanks to the foundation.”
Pine Tree Hospice Executive Director Jane Stitham said Rowe mentioned improving quality of life as an aim of the Piscataquis County Fund. “I cannot think of a better partnership for our mission,” she said. Stitham said Pine Tree Hospice is a volunteer hospice, one of only about 50 such organizations in the country.
Stitham said 39 communities are served by Pine Tree Hospice. “It is not easy because as a volunteer hospice we receive absolutely no funding,” she said, with clients not charged for services. “That is why there are less than 50 of us left.”
The Maine Community Foundation Piscataquis County Fund has given Pine Tree Hospice grants for bereavement and caregiver programs, as well as funding for a resource directory of services available in the region.
“On behalf of Pine Tree Hospice, I thank you for helping us enrich our programs, create more programs and serve our community,” Stitham said. “And also as a lifelong resident of Piscataquis County, thank you very much.”
PCEDC Executive Director Chris Winstead said grant dollars are part of a collaboration to invest in the community, and the PCEDC can be a connection point between organizations and funding opportunities to improve the region.