WALDO COUNTY — Nearly $90,000 in Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF) grants will help strengthen nonprofit organizations and projects in Waldo County in 2023. The eight grants through MaineCF’s Community Building Grant Program include $59,435 recommended by the Waldo County Committee and three additional grants totaling $30,000 from donor-advised funds.

2023 Grants from the Waldo County Committee:

• Belfast Farmers Market, to increase access to the purchase and sale of local produce for SNAP recipients: $7,500 
• Constellation Workshops for All, for accessible relationship and intimacy education for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: $5,615 
• Habitat for Humanity Waldo County, to construct and furnish its ReStore: $7,500 
• Islesboro Community Center, for after-school childcare: $9,800 
• Leroy H. Smith School, to increase the number of volunteers to mentor vulnerable students: $800 

• Penobscot Marine Museum, to develop and implement curriculum-driven and community-based learning projects: $8,220 
• Town of Monroe, to restore basketball courts, add new playground equipment and other minor upgrades to Gesner Park: $10,000 
• Waldo County Bounty, to improve organizational operations and community impact to ensure everyone has access to fresh, nutritious food: $10,000 

From donor-advised funds (as of April 2023): 

• Belfast Area Child Care Services, to improve health, wellness and education for young children with healthy food, community garden and outdoor learning: $10,000 
• But Still I Am One, for prepaid VISA cards for the needs of housing insecure students: $10,000 
• Cornerspring Montessori School, to build a hoop house for year-round vegetable production: $10,000 

The Waldo County Fund is a permanent endowment that supports projects and nonprofit organizations that strengthen communities. Proposals are submitted through MaineCF’s Community Building Grant Program, the foundation’s largest, and are reviewed by a committee of community members. The next proposal deadline is Feb. 15, 2024. For more information, visit www.mainecf.org/communitybuilding.

The Waldo County Fund, established in 1990, is built through donations from the community. For more information about the fund or grant program, contact Foundation Officer Cate Cronin at 207-412-2001 or ccronin@mainecf.org.  

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.