The Maine Community Foundation serves thousands of people who share a common mission: improving the quality of life in our state.
Individuals, families, businesses and organizations create charitable funds that help Maine meet the challenges of changing times. Today, the foundation's assets of $180 million are held in stewardship for more than 800 funds.
Maine Community Foundation grants cover the full range of nonprofit undertakings, with a special focus in the areas of education, the environment, arts and humanities, and social and community services.
Since opening its doors in 1983, the foundation has awarded more than $123 million in grants and scholarships.
The Maine Community Foundation depends on volunteers to help review grants and build philanthropic resources. In 1986 we established the first three county funds to help with grantmaking in more rural regions of the state. These county funds, now numbering 11, are a highly effective way to build community capacity.
For more than 25 years, the Maine Community Foundation has been a leader in philanthropy in Maine. We will continue to play that role ever more vigorously in the future.
Resources for Donors
The Maine Community Foundation is one of the leading charitable resources for donors seeking to provide long-term support to strengthen Maine communities.
Known for its innovative grant program, financial strength, and prudent investment strategies, MaineCF is a public charity incorporated in Maine and governed by a statewide volunteer Board of Directors.
A professional staff works in three program areas: grantmaking and program initiatives; resource development and philanthropic services; and finance and investments.
The foundation offers a variety of fund options to meet the diverse goals of individuals, families, businesses and nonprofit organizations.
As a nonprofit public foundation the Maine Community Foundation offers donors flexibility in fulfilling their charitable goals, and provides permanent, professional management and investment of charitable funds without the expense or effort of establishing and administering a private foundation or estate trust.
MaineCF Strategic Plan
In 2007, the Board of Directors of the foundation adopted Impact and Involvement: Strengthening the Community of Maine, MaineCF's strategic plan for 2008-2012. An executive summary of the plan can be accessed here.
The activities outlined in Impact and Involvement: Strengthening the Community of Maine will be guided by MaineCF's asset-based, community building philosophy. That philosophy is grounded in the belief that communities of all types are more sustainable and vibrant when citizens are engaged and leadership is collaborative. MaineCF believes that effective and committed leaders, high levels of civic engagement and access to philanthropic resources are critical elements for fostering positive change.
Sarbanes-Oxley
At its annual meeting held at Colby College in June 2004, the Maine Community Foundation's Board of Directors voluntarily adopted compliance policies that conform to the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
While most of that law applies to public companies, the MaineCF Board believes it is important to conform, of its own volition, to the relevant provisions of the law in order to enhance the foundation's governance policies, thereby assuring continued public confidence in our financial integrity and operations.
We also hope that this action will provide a good model for other nonprofit organizations.
View the MaineCF Sarbanes-Oxley guidelines.