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V O L . X X X I N O. X X I I G I V I N G G U I D E 2 0 2 5 – 2 0 2 6 12 GIVING GUIDE BANKING DESIGNED WITH COMMUNITY IN MIND. Maine. When the program ended, the once-vibrant cultural community faded. Khmer Maine's goal is to rebuild that sense of identity. Without the infrastructure to do so alone, they turned to partners. Chann brought in sponsors and invited the Ang- kor Dance Troupe from Lowell, Mass., to perform at Portland's Mayo Street Arts Center. e enthusiastic response from its members inspired Khmer Maine to launch its own dance classes. When building partnerships, Chann prioritizes aligning with work already happening in other communities, par- ticularly communities of color. Current collaborations include Maine TransNet, Presente! Maine, Gateway Community Services Maine, and the Community Organizing Alliance. Together, the organizations are working to raise one million dollars for food assistance and legal fees for immigrants facing deten- tion or removal proceedings. According to Chann, partnerships begin with trust. "Oftentimes it's those small acts of reaching out and building relationships over a longer period of time, which cre- ates something lasting and sustaining," he says. Flashy moments may draw attention, but he stresses the importance of know- ing a partner's values and approach. "Organizations need to understand that partnerships come with pros and cons. Cons in the sense that some part- nerships require some risk taking in terms of PR and in terms of backlash or pushback," Chann says. Khmer Maine's reach continues to grow. e nonprofit was named Southern Maine on Aging's Community Partner of the Year for its work with older adults, and it is building connections between Cambodian and Native American com- munities by supporting Tribal Sover- eignty through the Wabanaki Alliance and participating in the Outdoor Equity Program. Chann also reflected on the larger role of nonprofits in Maine. "e way the nonprofit sector is set up in Maine, and in America, is that we're filling gaps that wax and wane depending on which administration is in charge," he says. "Meanwhile, we are trying to meet basic needs and services that aren't being supported by govern- ment, state or local or federal funding. And the philosophy that the need should be met by private dollars and private philanthropy, has already been proven to be a failed strategy, because the need is too great." Sloane Perron, a Mainebiz freelance writer, can be reached at editorial @ mainebiz.biz » C O N T I N U E D F RO M PA G E 1 1 C OU R TES Y / KH M ER M AI NE Khmer Maine has more than 2,500 members statewide, a number of whom are pictured here. C OU R TES Y / KH M ER M AI NE Khmer Maine Executive Director, Marpheen Chann