Members of the Hancock County Committee include, from left, Jane Donnell, Bucksport; Ken Perrin, Ellsworth; Sherry Streeter, vice chair, Brooklin; Sally Stone, Brooksville; Mary Blackstone, Ellsworth; Alyne Cistone, Mount Desert; Jay Horschak, Gouldsboro (former member); Lauri Fernald, Mount Desert; John Paul LaLonde, Bucksport; Geoff Young, chair, Seal Cove; Frank Dorsey, Franklin

Established in 2003 with two anonymous gifts, the Hancock County Fund provides grant support to nonprofits in the region. The purpose of the fund is to support organizations and projects that serve Hancock County. The Hancock County Committee reviews grant applications received through the Community Building grant program that serve Hancock County. They make recommendations to fund those applications that meet the grant program criteria and that have the greatest potential for positive impact on the quality of life in Hancock County. The Hancock County Fund has awarded more than 100 grants since its inception.

Other ways the community foundation is serving the region

• Currently the foundation holds more than $13.5 million in assets dedicated to Hancock County in the form of donor-advised funds, scholarships, designated funds to support specific organizations, and field-of-interest funds.
• In addition to grants through the Hancock County Fund, more than $405,000 in additional grant support for Hancock County nonprofits has come from a network of Maine Community Foundation donors in support of proposals submitted to the foundation’s competitive grant programs.
• Hancock County Scholarships
• The community foundation manages more than $8.7 million in charitable long-term funds on behalf of other nonprofit organizations throughout Hancock County.

To make a donation or for more information about the Hancock County Fund

Please contact Cathy Melio of the Maine Community Foundation by phone, toll-free, at (877) 700-6800, or by e-mail at cmelio@mainecf.org.