Maine Community Foundation

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Ellsworth, ME
Maine Community Foundation

Bringing people and resources together to build a better Maine.

08/28/2026

In rural communities like Deer Isle-Stonington, connection and access to basic resources are essential to helping neighbors stay healthy, supported and rooted in the places they call home. Healthy Island Project connects older people through programs such as its Salt Air Seniors’ Lunch Box, food pantries and Bridging Neighbors. Healthy Island Project is helping make “No Lonely Islander” and “No Hungry Islander” a reality.

MaineCF's Community Building Grant Program awarded the organization a grant for its programs that have reached more than 950 people over the past year, including more than 5,000 hot meals delivered, growing food pantry use, weekly gatherings for island elders and hands-on support for neighbors navigating health care, housing and other essential needs.

08/04/2026

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07/31/2026

The Hidden Circle Residents Cooperative in Jay purchased its manufactured home community today for $1 million, ensuring the land beneath 31 homes can remain locally owned and affordable for years to come.

The Maine Community Foundation along with Genesis Community Loan Fund and MaineHousing's Mobile Home Park Preservation Fund to help finance the purchase. The Cooperative Development Institute supported the residents' organization of the cooperative.

“Affordable housing is essential to healthy communities across Maine, especially in rural areas," said Deborah Ellwood, MaineCF president and CEO. "We're pleased to partner with Genesis on this innovative investment, which helps residents become owners of their community while preserving affordable housing for the long term. It gives residents control over their housing costs, power over how they are governed, and a new sense of community. We are grateful to the many donors to the MaineCF Housing Affordability Fund that helped make this deal possible.”

Unlike most homeowners, residents of mobile home communities typically own their homes but rent the land beneath them. When these communities are sold to large investor-owners, residents often experience a significant increase in lot rents and other fees. They are left with few options, since moving a manufactured home is often prohibitively expensive or just not possible.

But resident ownership changes that equation.

That’s why this model of preserving affordability is a top priority for MaineCF and donors to its Housing Affordability Fund.

Congratulations to today's new homeowners and thank you to our partners! , and

07/28/2026

On World Conservation Day (July 28), it's inspiring to acknowledge the next generation of land stewards.

Friends of Baxter State Park, a 2026 MaineCF Community Building grantee, is empowering the next generation of leaders through hands-on outdoor experiences. Baxter Youth Conservation Corps participants are building and maintaining trails, developing job skills, completing field research and exploring careers in conservation. The Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program is inspiring young people through immersive backcountry experiences that foster leadership, advocacy, stewardship and a lifelong connection to the wilderness of Baxter State Park.

Together, these programs are helping young people gain confidence, build community, and become the future stewards of Baxter State Park. (Friends of Baxter State Park photo)

07/22/2026

Kennebec County is on the move!

The Steve DeAngelis Community Fund was awarded a MaineCF Community Building grant to support its Kids on the Go program, which offers after-school programs and Community Gear Library.

Since 2022, Kids on the Go has had more than 500 fourth and fifth grade participants from Fayette, Manchester, Mount Vernon, Readfield and Wayne elementary schools.

In its first year, the Community Gear Library lent 300 pieces of outdoor equipment, from cross-country skis to ice fishing traps, at no cost.

07/16/2026

In 1853, Penobscot guide Joseph Attean led writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau on a journey in a birch bark canoe (like the one pictured) along traditional Wabanaki water routes of the North Woods.

The annual Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail Festival, with support from MaineCF's Community Building grant program, commemorates Thoreau's three separate journeys and the cultural significance of the region for the Penobscot and the healing power of the North Woods.

This marks the festival's 20th year with guided nature walks, discussions, art exhibits, a birch bark canoe flotilla and more. Learn more about the festival at thoreauwabanaki.org.

07/13/2026

The Waldo County YMCA this year was able to provide 20 camperships for its summer program with support from the Ira Cobe Scholarship at MaineCF.

The Ira Cobe Scholarship Fund supports the education and enrichment of young people in Waldo County through camperships, extracurricular activity support and college scholarships. (Waldo County YMCA photo)

Learn more at mainecf.org/scholarships

07/07/2026

MaineCF Community Building grantee Downeast Lakes Land Trust offers recent forestry grads, like Silvia Hartt, unique opportunities to gain experience and begin their careers in the forestry industry.

As the Trust’s newest forest fellow, Silvia will have the opportunity to explore different areas of natural resource management on Downeast Lakes Land Trust’s 58,000 acres.

So far, she has timber cruised, assisted in beaver management and worked on forest management and harvest plans. The goal of the fellowship is to support a younger generation of foresters become well-rounded, conservation minded natural resource stewards.

This work helps protect Maine’s natural resources, expand community learning opportunities, and support the long-term health of Washington County’s forests and communities.

07/02/2026

MaineCF grantee Museums of Bethel Historical Society is commemorating America's 250th birthday by participating in Independence 250, a series of programs, events and other celebratory projects in the area.

As part of the project, trustee Donna Gillis led a statewide project to create a commemorative quilt entitled “Connected by a Thread." The beautiful quilt is made up of squares created by 39 Quilters Guild chapters from across the state of Maine and will be on display at the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society during July and August.

06/29/2026

History, community, and incredible views come together at the Fifth Maine Regiment Museum on Peaks Island. This MaineCF Community Building grantee preserves the legacy of the 5th Maine Civil War Regiment while sharing the rich history of Peaks Island and Casco Bay through exhibits, tours, talks, music, art, community meals and more.

Just a five-minute walk from the ferry, the museum and its covered porch are open May-October.

Photo courtesy Fifth Maine Regiment Museum

Address

245 Main Street
Ellsworth, ME
04605

Website

http://www.mainecf.org/

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