MaineCF awards $472K to arts organizations across the state

The Maine Community Foundation has awarded more than $472,000 through three grant programs to 59 arts organizations across the state.

The Maine Expansion Arts grant program, which supports organizations and programs that serve rural communities and/or Black, Indigenous and other people of color, awarded 18 grants totaling $148,500. Donors with advised funds at MaineCF awarded 11 additional grants totaling $80,800.

Among Maine Expansion Arts Rural Track grantees is $10,000 for the Maine Highlands Senior Center, to continue developing a regional arts center to connect people to the arts.

Thirteen organizations and projects that support traditional handcrafts were awarded $113,910 through the Belvedere Traditional Handcrafts grant program. A donor with an advised fund at MaineCF awarded one additional grant totaling $2,675.

Belvedere Traditional Handcrafts grantees includes $9,400 to Monson Arts, for a four-day retreat for Wabanaki basket makers.

The Maine Theater Fund, which supports nonprofit professional and community theaters, awarded $126,485 to 16 organizations. Maine Theater grantees include $2,850 to the Center Theatre, to upgrade its audio board and QLab software.

To view all recent grantees, visit mainecf.org/recent grants. The next grant cycle for Maine Expansion Arts, Belvedere Traditional Handcrafts and Maine Theater opens July 1. For more information, visit mainecf.org or contact Senior Program Director Leslie Goode, lgoode@mainecf.org or 207-412-2002, or Program Director Katie Howard, khoward@mainecf.org or 207-412-0832.

The Maine Community Foundation brings people and resources together to build a better Maine through strategic giving, community leadership, personalized service, local expertise and strong investments. To learn more about the foundation, visit www.mainecf.org.