Mainebiz

Giving Guide 2026

Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1546686

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 111 of 131

V O L . X X X I I N O. X X I I 112 G I V I N G G U I D E 2 0 2 6 – 2 0 2 7 N O N P RO F I T P RO F I L E P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F S W E E T S E R 2027 GOALS f Complete construction of Maine's first youth Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility in Saco f Expand access to peer services in more emergency rooms across the state f Work to strengthen access to mobile crisis services as the new provider in Kennebec and Somerset counties f Start high-fidelity wraparound services in Southern Maine FUNDRAISING EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES Sweetser holds both large-impact events and community-based events with our corporate partners and supporters to fuel our mission, including: Jack Chevrolet Golf Classic: a popular annual charity tour- nament held each June at Dunegrass in Old Orchard Beach. Smiles for Sweetser Comedy Show: a night of laughs with regional comedians happening every October at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland. A second show is being planned in Lewiston (TBD). Join us at ComedyTickets.org. Spring Into Hope Maine Fashion Show: highlights the creative arts on the runway while reducing mental health stigma along- side the team at WMTW Channel 8. Viewpoint Hotel's Gala for Mental Health: our friends at The Viewpoint Hotel in York organize an annual gala for mental health on their beautiful grounds overlooking Nubble Lighthouse. Auction & Gala: our signature annual fundraising event held in September at Brick South on Thompson's Point with live music, hors d'oeuvres, and hundreds of silent and live auc- tion items to bid on. Benefit Concerts: talented local musicians support our mission with performances at venues like Vinegar Hill Music Theatre throughout the year. GIVING OPPORTUNITIES Our Build Hope Capital Campaign is an opportunity to make a multi-generational impact for at-risk youth and their families across our state. Sweetser has broken ground on Maine's first youth Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) on our Saco campus. A $5.4 million state investment from the Governor and the legislature supports the project, while Sweetser is raising the remaining $2.5 million needed to complete construction. There are numerous opportunities to join a dozen corporate Partners in Hope in making this project a reality. Corporate and individual donors can also support Sweetser's commitment to providing over $1 million worth of treatment and recovery services to Mainers who can't afford the cost of care through annual, planned, and event-based giving. Contact our Development Director, Jodie Hansen, at (207) 294-4476 or jhansen@sweetser.org to connect about corpo- rate partnerships and ways to make an impact. Learn more at Sweetser.org/BuildHope. Sweetser AT A GLANCE Established: 1828 Employees: 580 Annual revenue: $55,776,513 50 Moody St., Saco, ME 04072 (800) 434-3000 www.Sweetser.org SweetserMentalHealth @SweetserMentalHealth Sweetser @SweetserMaine @SweetserMaine AWARDS/ACCOLADES: In 2026, the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Com- merce + Industry named Sweetser its Nonprofit of the Year. Sweetser was also voted the top mental health care nonprofit in Biddeford/Saco, Portland, and Sanford/Springvale by the Best of Survey. MISSION STATEMENT: Sweetser is a behavioral health nonprofit provid- ing evidence-based treatment, support and hope through a statewide network of community- based mental health, recovery and educational services. We envision a world where mental health stigma is eliminated and access to treat- ment and recovery is possible for all. SERVICE LOCATIONS: Sweetser serves over 12,000 Maine children and adults statewide with physical programs and administrative locations in Belfast, Brunswick, Farmington, Lewiston, Portland, Rockland, Rockport, Rumford, Saco, Sanford, Topsham, Winterport, and York. TOP FUNDING SOURCES: 64% MaineCare 14% Federal grants and awards 8% Private insurance 4% Local school districts 3% Fundraising 2% State of Maine 2% Miscellaneous income 2% Investment Income 1% Medicare LEADERSHIP Jayne Van Bramer, President & CEO BOARD OFFICERS Jessica A. Demers, Board Chair James A. Nylund, Board Vice Chair William J. Zafirson, Board Treasurer Michele C. Del Tergo, Board Secretary BOARD MEMBERS Robert Davis Anna-Marie DiPasquale Diane H. Donaldson Jay McCreight Gregory R. Prince Daniel Puhlman Brynn Riley Dr. Margaret A. Shepp Ludmila Tutunaru Todd Valentine Jayne Van Bramer Jessica A. Demers VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Corporate and civic groups can volunteer at various Sweetser locations and assist with mission-focused projects and events. This has included beautifying our campus, stuffing backpacks with school supplies, and collecting gifts to brighten up the holidays, all for the youth we serve in our various programs. Individuals can also deepen their involvement by becoming a Sweetser Corporator, joining the Advancement Committee or event-specific committees, or pursuing Board service. Volunteer support helps improve the treatment journey of the children, adults, and families we serve while expanding com- munity awareness of mental health and recovery. Sweetser has officially opened the SupportME Peer Center in Brunswick next to their walk-in Hope & Healing Center at 329 Bath Road. This is a free, drop-in community resource that offers a welcoming, judgment-free space for connection, support, life skills workshops, groups, and one-on-one guidance from staff with lived experience.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Mainebiz - Giving Guide 2026