LIMESTONE, Maine — The Maine School of Science and Mathematics has been awarded a $100,000 grant from The Edward E. Ford Foundation, one of the nation’s most respected philanthropic organizations supporting secondary education. The grant is structured as a one-to-one matching challenge, requiring MSSM to raise an additional $100,000 from donors and partners. MMG Insurance, headquartered in Presque Isle, has taken a leading role in meeting that challenge with a gift of $15,000.
The Edward E. Ford Foundation has spent decades investing in excellence and innovation in secondary education. Its grants have traditionally supported independent schools across the United States, making MSSM’s selection especially noteworthy. While MSSM is a public residential magnet high school, the school’s mission, residential program and unique and challenging curriculum align with the foundation’s goal of supporting innovative approaches to serving students in each school’s pursuit of their mission.
“We very much appreciate the vote of confidence in MSSM from the Edward E Ford Foundation,” Rob Constantine, MSSM executive director, said. “The foundation has been wonderful to work with throughout this process, including a campus visit to see the school in action. The matching component of the grant also allows us to engage potential donors with the opportunity to make this possible and grow our community’s culture of philanthropy.”
The grant will allow the school to hire a community programs manager with the focus on identifying educational gaps and needs throughout the state and working with campus personnel to identify ways MSSM can help address those needs.
“While we are really proud of the excellent results we deliver through our residential high school program,” Constantine said, “we recognize that we can expand the impact we have on students around Maine through additional programming. This position allows us to partner with organizations throughout Maine and create exciting and engaging programs for even more students.”
Valerie Chavez is excited to step into this role, having joined MSSM’s residential team last year following her graduation from UCLA and working in the student life department there. One priority for the coming year is to re-vision and plan the MSSM summer STEM experience with the goal of continuing one of the best middle School STEM summer experiences in the state.
“I am excited to step into this role and help expand MSSM’s impact across Maine,” Chavez said. “I look forward to building partnerships that connect MSSM to the broader community and to creating educational opportunities for our students and Maine youth.”
MMG Insurance’s early commitment marks an important first step toward meeting the matching requirement.
“MMG believes in investing in the communities we serve, and MSSM is one of Aroostook County’s most important and unique assets,” Matt McHatten, president and chief executive officer of MMG Insurance, said. “The school strengthens our regional economy and draws people to the area while simultaneously inspiring and developing the next generation of innovators who will shape Maine’s future. We are proud to support MSSM’s community programming through this matching gift.”
The school and affiliated 501(c)(3) MSSM Foundation are working with its donor community and businesses around the state to meet the matching component of this exciting opportunity. If you are interested in learning more about the grant, external programs at MSSM or donation opportunities, please contact Constantine at constantiner@mssm.org.
Founded in 1957, The Edward E. Ford Foundation supports excellence and innovation in secondary education through grants to independent schools and educational organizations across the United States. The foundation has awarded thousands of grants totaling well over $130 million in support of educational leadership and promising practices.
Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Presque Isle, Maine, MMG Insurance is a leading regional property and casualty insurance company serving policyholders across the Northeast through a network of independent insurance agencies.
