ELLSWORTH, Maine — The Aroostook County Committee of the Maine Community Foundation recently awarded $23,600 in grants to13 Aroostook County nonprofits. Among the funded programs is The Aroostook Medical Center’s Emergency Travel Project at the County Dialysis Center. The program provides financial support for travel expenses, aid with transportation and support with other treatment-related issues to patients in disabling circumstances.
Other grant awards went to:
• Aroostook Agency on Aging, Presque Isle, for a money management program to help those on a limited income learn to manage their financial affairs and continue to live independently;
• Building Learning Teams of SAD 33 Adult Ed, Madawaska, for a community services collaboration between local agencies to improve early childhood literacy and provide parenting support and learning activities;
• Caribou Children’s Discovery Museum, Caribou, to hire a capital campaign consultant to research and apply for grants and develop fund-raising activities;
• Caribou School Department, for construction of a five-court tennis complex at Caribou High School;
• Fort Kent Marketing Advisory Committee, to develop a brand strategy and implementation plan centered on the concept of “America’s First Mile;”
• Maine Humanities Council, Portland, for the New Books, New Readers program, which will provide literacy training for new adult learners and prison inmates in Aroostook County;
• Maine’s Swedish Colony, New Sweden, to fund a Swedish folk dancing revival through dance workshops at the 2008 Midsommar Celebration;
• SAD 33, Frenchville, for the Dr. Levesque Literacy Centers Project, to offer motivation and flexibility in meeting the needs of students;
• Precious Paws Rescue & Adoption, Van Buren, to spay/neuter all animals prior to adoption;
• Robert Frost Memorial Library, Limestone, to construct a handicapped ramp in its proposed addition;
• Sherman Fire Department, to purchase four portable radios; and
• Town of Ashland, for a community playground.
The Aroostook County Fund is a permanent endowment supporting projects that strengthen communities in the county. A committee of local residents and business leaders reviews grants and makes recommendations twice a year. The next deadline for grant proposals is January 15, 2009. Applicants will be notified in late March.Application, guidelines and a list of recent grants can be found at www.mainecf.org.
The Aroostook County Fund is built through donations from the community. If you wish to donate to the fund, please contact Pam Scheppele at 540-6494 or pscheppele@mainecf.org.
A statewide organization with offices in Ellsworth, Augusta and Portland, the Maine Community Foundation has been partnering with donors and nonprofits to strengthen Maine communities for 25 years. For more information, visit www.mainecf.org or call 877-700-6800.
