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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 107 G I V I N G G U I D E 2 0 2 3 – 2 0 2 4 GIVING GUIDE I n 1983, Joseph Brennan was governor of Maine, the Dow Jones closed at 1258, the finale of M*A*S*H aired … And the first seeds of the Maine Community Foundation were planted through philan- thropically minded community leaders. As the years passed, MaineCF opened new county funds and new scholarships, and we worked with donors and non-profits to make hundreds of grants. Now, MaineCF's grants, scholarships and philanthropic opportunities reach every county in Maine with the aim of strengthening communities and improving the quality of life here, and in 2023, some $600 million in grants later, MaineCF still strives every day to fulfill the vision of bringing people and resources together to build a better state. But even as MaineCF's grantmaking has grown, the needs and challenges in our communities, do, too. is trend begs the question, how can we truly make large-scale change if these needs persist – or even increase? Our answer: working together, across sectors, and focusing on impact. Recently, MaineCF has been going beyond grants to focus on building capac- ity for partner agencies and communities focused on early childhood education, workforce development, racial equity, healthy aging and entrepreneurship. And we're going to work even harder at being a community partner: bringing together people from nonprofits, businesses, public policy and philanthropy, mobilizing funding and other resources, engaging local voices and bringing an equity lens to all our work. We're taking the time now to listen and hear from all these stakeholders to identify current challenges and opportunities and where and how we can make the great- est impact; MaineCF is at the crossroads of philanthropy, funding, local needs and expertise and the big issues. And when these areas are determined, we will fund and fundraise, we will partner, we will leverage our vast network of local connections, we will amplify voices and we will dig in to make real, lasting change on "the big stuff." Sometimes, MaineCF can bring fund- ing to bear to address our challenges. Other times, we can leverage others' philanthropy or policy prowess. Still others, we may quietly take a back seat while others lead, and we provide capacity, space and thought leader- ship – those obstacles significant enough to prevent a better quality of life will take a collective of people and organizations all committed to playing a role toward a shared goal of building a better Maine. We care about all people in Maine and want to partner with others to cre- ate significant and lasting change in our home — we are excited for the possibili- ties and hope you will join us in building for the big stuff. Maine Community Foundation board Adilah Muhammad, chair, Scorecard, Lewiston Ben Sprague, vice chair, First National Bank, Bangor Sarah Chappell Armentrout, Carlisle Academy, Lyman Brian Bernatchez, Golden Pond Wealth Management, Belgrade D. Gregg Collins, S.W. Collins Co., Caribou Tim Crowley, Northern Maine Community College, Caribou Matthew DuBois, the Bankery & Skowhegan Fleuriste, Skowhegan Martha Dumont, retired, investment research, Falmouth Deborah Ellwood, president and CEO, Somesville Susan Hammond, Fahe, Bangor Mark Howard, BNP Paribas, Boothbay Deborah A. Jordan, Camden Consulting, Camden Amber Lambke, Maine Grains, Skowhegan Julie Mallett, Legal Services for the Elderly, Dover-Foxcroft Brooke Parish, Tiptree Asset Management Company, Castine Lili Pew, the Knowles Co., Seal Harbor Claude Rwaganje, ProsperityME, Westbrook Tihtiyas Sabattus, Passamaquoddy Health Center, Princeton Shawn Yardley, retired administrator, Bowerbank L a u r a L e e i s V P o f communit y impact at Maine C o m m u n i t y F o u n d a t i o n Join Us! TO PURCHA SE VIRTUAL OR IN - PE RSON TICKETS GO TO W W W . F A M B U S I N E S S . O R G Meet Maine's business leaders, learn the extraordinary stories of the award winners and celebrate Maine's family-owned businesses! WHEN: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 5:30-8:30 p.m. WHERE: L.L.Bean, 15 Casco Street Freeport, ME Chase Morrill, Ashley Morrill & Ryan Eldridge Creators of the Kennebec Cabin Company, LLC & Maine Cabin Masters GUEST SPEAKERS: HOST: Amanda Hill Weeknight Anchor NEWS CENTER Maine National Bank D R E A M F I R S T D R E A M F I R S T D R E A M F I R S T D R E A M F I R S T First National Bank employees gave over 11,000 hours of their time supporting organizations across our footprint last year. Giving back to our communities helps us achieve our Dream First mission: Bank local. Buy local. Give local. 800.564.3195 • TheFirst.com • Member FDIC B Y L A U R A L E E B Y L A U R A L E E Building for the big stuff in Maine C O M M E N TA RY