In its July 17, 2008, edition, The Ellsworth American, the foundation's first hometown newspaper, published a special feature marking MaineCF's 25th year in business. The articles below don't tell the whole foundation story, but they provide a picture of an organization building on its success and well positioned for the next 25 years.

By Leaps and Bounds: A Short History of the Maine Community Foundation

On Aug. 30, 1983, Robert Blum, a summer resident of Mount Desert Island, wrote to Edward Kaelber, the founding president of the Maine Community Foundation, enclosing a check for $10 to establish the Dirigo Fund, the very first donor-advised fund at the foundation. The articles of incorporation had been finalized the month before, on July 28, so this letter and check signified that the foundation was now in business.

Not even the most optimistic of early supporters of the foundation felt that it might one day be a $10 million-fund making a small but significant philanthropic impact in Maine. ... more

Maine Community Foundation Now Largest in the State

Henry "Hank" Schmelzer, outgoing president and chief executive officer of the Maine Community Foundation, has found the journey from corporate life to the nonprofit world one well worth taking.

And, like most foundation donors, he was motivated by his fond feelings for the state of Maine. ... more

Scholarship Funds Are Future Investments

Jean Warren's face glows when she talks about her "Musgraves" — students who, in the normal course of events, probably would not have attended college but are now earning degrees. ... more

County Fund Committees Are Foundation’s Eyes and Ears

Among the strengths of the Maine Community Foundation are its county committees, which advise MaineCF grant-making and make recommendations based on their knowledge of community needs and issues.

The 11 committees, which cover 12 counties, also alert the foundation to important issues. ... more

25 Grants to Nonprofits In Hancock County, 2006-'08

• Abbe Museum: to sponsor "Community Free Sundays."
• Acadia Partners for Science and Learning: for a pilot program to engage citizens in support of ecosystem inventory and monitoring in Acadia National Park.
• Acadian Little League: to upgrade the ball field in Town Hill. ... more