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V O L . X X I X N O. X X I I G I V I N G G U I D E 2 0 2 3 – 2 0 2 4 12 April 2020. e Grand shuttered for 18 months and experienced an almost 100% loss of revenue during the COVID shutdown. e Grand reopened in the fall of 2021 and offered community-driven and welcoming family events that saw larger attendance than what many venues reported locally and nationally. Still, revenues were only 56% of 2019 numbers, and donations were flat. In 2022, programming, community engagement, and opti- mism fueled another jump to 84% of 2019 sales. Although we are hope- ful sales will return to pre-COVID numbers, charitable giving contin- ues to decline due, in most part, to a stagnant economy. e Grand has lost an estimated $934,000 in potential revenue over COVID and the recovery. A notable concern is the existence of Federal American Rescue Plan monies ear- marked for economic recovery that remain unused in county and munic- ipal coffers. Ray Ruby Executive director of the Maine Cancer Foundation Can't be 'all things to all people' A significant challenge for many non- profits in Maine is that we want to be all things to all people. It's why most get into this line of work in the first place; we strive to do everything in our power to help others. But it's impos- sible to do it all, and even more chal- lenging to tackle it alone. e staff at Maine Cancer Founda- tion are incredibly proud of our work in cancer prevention, early detection, and ensuring all Mainers have the best access to care. ough we may lead these statewide efforts, no real impact would happen without our incredible partners covering all 16 counties. In a state as large as Maine, strong partner- ships are pivotal when facing issues as significant as cancer. Still, there are those moments when we can't solve every problem for every- one, and a bit of disappointment sets in. But, the hope, and most often the reality here in Maine, is that another organization will pick up where you left off. Sometimes we are only tasked to carry the baton part of the way, and when you've built the right relation- ships, it's just a hand-off to a trusted teammate to do their part. Kristen Farnham Vice president of legal affairs and advancement at Spurwink A need for 'stronger pipeline of qualified candidates' For Spurwink, our two greatest chal- lenges are intertwined: the critical need for behavioral health services and the challenge in recruiting staff. In many of our programs — from substance use treatment to out- patient counseling, and from our therapeutic preschool to our nursing home for people with disabilities — we have waitlists. More people need our services than we are able to take at this time. Anxiety and depression is spiking among youth, and that there are not enough treatment programs for people with opiate and other substance use disorders. — Kristen Farnham Spurwink Sometimes we are only tasked to carry the baton part of the way, and when you've built the right relationships, it's just a hand-off to a trusted teammate to do their part. — Ray Ruby Maine Cancer Foundation GIVING GUIDE » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E PH OTO / C OU R TES Y OF TH E M AI NE C ANC ER FOU NDATI ON PH OTO / C OU R TES Y OF S PU RWI NK Ray Ruby of the Maine Cancer Foundation Kristen Farnham of Spurwink