Looking for animal signs on a snowshoe hike on the Gibson Preserve in Searsmont. Photo courtesy of Georges River Land Trust
Advisors to MaineCF's Ram Island Conservation Fund have selected the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance, Georges River Land Trust, Medomak Valley Land Trust, and Sebasticook Regional Land Trust to receive $25,000 challenge grants. The grants will help the trusts build permanent endowments.
“The grants reflect the Ram Island Conservation Fund advisors’ concerns about the long-term financial health of land trusts in Maine,” said Meredith Jones, MaineCF president and CEO. “Now, four Maine land trusts have the means and incentive to build recurring revenue by starting or increasing their endowments,” Jones stated.
In choosing from among a pool of well-qualified land trusts, the fund advisors considered their readiness to take on endowment fundraising as well as the potential impact of the challenge grants. The trusts have 18 months to meet the challenge. The community foundation will provide technical assistance to help them develop a case for support for their campaigns and explore new advancement opportunities such as bequests and other planned gifts.
To learn more about Maine’s land trusts, visit the Maine Land Trust Network website.
-- August 6, 2010