More than $90,000 in Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF) grants will help strengthen nonprofit organizations and projects in Knox County. MaineCF’s Knox County Grantmaking Committee awarded $80,453 to nine organizations through the foundation’s Community Building Grant Program. MaineCF donors with advised funds made two additional grants totaling $10,000.

The Knox County Fund, established in 1993, 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.

2024 grants from the Knox County Committee:

AIO Food and Energy Assistance, project support, for a refrigerated truck to keep pace with projected food distribution needs: $10,000 
Friends of Isle au Haut Lighthouse, general support, to restore the Isle au Haut Lighthouse: $10,000 
Leaps of Imagination, general support, to inspire young people to flourish as imaginative, innovative thinkers with the confidence to explore, create, and collaborate as artists and stewards of the Earth: $10,000 
Midcoast Recovery Coalition, general support, to provide a healthy environment for families, healing the effects of drug addiction and reintegration into the community through two certified recovery residences: $10,000 
MidCoast Regional Housing Trust, general support, to develop permanent, year-round workforce housing in Knox County and neighboring towns: $10,000 
One Community Many Voices, general support, to support immigrants moving to the midcoast: $10,000 
RSU 13, project support, for its partnership with Trekkers to teach leadership through mentorship and relationship building: $10,000 
St. George Community Development Corporation, general support, to provide nutritious food to clients of its food pantry: $8,540  
Wessaweskeag Historical Society, general support, to acquire equipment that supports and strengthens our curatorial ability to preserve the materials that relate to the history of our community: $1,913 

From donor-advised funds (as of April 2024): 

Midcoast Habitat for Humanity, project support, to engage community volunteers and increase affordable housing stock by constructing a single-family home: $7,000 
Southern Harbor Eldercare Services, general support, to ensure North Haven community members have access to resources and support to age in community: $3,000

For more information, visit www.mainecf.org/communitybuilding.

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.