Mainebiz Giving Guide

V O L . X X X I N O. X X I I 4 G I V I N G G U I D E 2 0 2 5 – 2 0 2 6 S U P P O R T I N G M A I N E N O N P R O F I T S Nonprofits adapting, innovating and reimaging for the common good Each year, the Giving Guide shines a spot- light on the essential role nonprofits play in ensuring Maine's prosperity, and the critical role businesses play in partnering with them to achieve it. is year, as government funding is pulled back precipitously from services to seniors, veterans, families, scientific research and more, it's essential for nonprofits, businesses and local partners to find new and better ways to fortify the resiliency of Maine communities. Every day, nonprofits adapt, innovate and reimagine how we work together for the common good. To succeed, especially in these volatile times, they need resources, genuine partnerships and the support of people and businesses to help build their capacity to act boldly and creatively. Here are a few practical ways we can all make a difference: 1. Spread the word. Get to know the nonprofits in your community, under- stand where their needs are greatest, and promote and champion their work within your networks. 2. Share your talent. Professionals from all backgrounds are needed on nonprofit boards and committees — an opportunity to give back, expand your professional network, tap into your passions, and apply your skills in new ways. Nonprofits are always looking to enhance their boards with new perspectives and talents. 3. Keep being generous and collaborative. When nonprofits are recognized as essential partners, amazing things can happen. Creative collaborations with businesses, along with flexible financial support, play a vital role in helping address today's challenges and opportunities. is Giving Guide includes only a portion of Maine's nonprofit sector, which employs one in six Maine workers and spreads to every corner of our state. Reach out to the organizations in your community, ask how they are doing during this tumultuous year, and work with them on creative ways to support them and, ulti- mately, your community. Nonprofits are not just part of our communities — they are essential to them. ey are people coming together to make Maine a better place to live, work, and play. Meaningful and lasting change comes from working in tandem, building new partnerships, and committing to the common good. We are making progress, but there is much more to do. MANP is honored to work and learn alongside you. ank you, Jennifer Hutchins Executive Director Maine Association of Nonprofits FROM THE GIVING GUIDE PARTNER Meeting the moment and focusing on Maine's future What a year it has been for philanthropy across the country and here in Maine. A vola- tile federal policy environment and significant changes in public investment have created a challenging funding landscape for Maine nonprofits, communities and people in every corner of our state. e topline message for this year's Mainebiz Giving Guide is this: If you can, give more. Philanthropy cannot begin to replace the public investment that has been cut, but as Maine's largest and oldest statewide community foundation with thousands of fundholders contributing each year to a more vibrant Maine, the Maine Community Foundation is committed to doing everything possible to help our nonprofit partners doing important work for the public good both meet this moment – and stay focused on building a better Maine. Here is how our team, partners and donors are working together to do both. To meet the moment, MaineCF has taken several steps, including: • Giving an additional $500,000 discretionary funds into our Community Building program, which supports nonprofits across the state doing a wide range of work • Granting $180,000 to the Maine Association of Nonprofits and Maine Philanthropy Center to help those vital organizations serve and counsel all Maine nonprofits in the moment • Raising an additional $1.3 million from our fundholders to meet current needs • Tracking increased nonprofit needs and leading donor outreach to encour- age their giving through our Giving Together portal • As a result of our partnership with donors to meet the moment, overall grants are up $11 million in 2025 versus the same time last year. We will continue to work with urgency to support our nonprofit partners that do such vital work in communities across the state, but are also commit- ted to our mission to build a better Maine. at is why even as we continue our grantmaking ($84 million in 2024), we have added important new strategic initiatives consistent with the issues people in Maine told us were top priorities, including: • Affordable housing: MaineCF has set a goal to preserve at least 600 units of affordable housing across the state at risk of being lost and impacting thousands of people in Maine • Resilience: MaineCF has several new initiatives to protect our food, farms and communities from increasingly severe weather events, including help- ing 45 towns complete resilience plans • Economic opportunity : MaineCF is working on a broad economic opportunity agenda and committed $6 million to Maine Venture Fund in an innovative partnership to support promising startup businesses across the state • Strong local news, strong communities: MaineCF is leading the Maine chapter of Press Forward, a national effort to build stronger communities by strengthening local journalism. Whether contributing to address funding shortfalls or giving to make posi- tive impacts on the big challenges affecting Maine's future, now is the time to give more. MaineCF is here as a trusted, experienced partner to help you both meet the moment and build a better Maine for the future. Deborah A. Ellwood President and CEO Maine Community Foundation FROM THE GIVING GUIDE SPONSOR Every day, nonprofits adapt, innovate and reimagine how we work together for the common good.

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