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Building Connections for Maine Grantmakers

The Maine Philanthropy Center (MPC) is a regional association of grantmakers working to promote philanthropy and to increase its impact in Maine. Our members include private family and independent foundations, community and public foundations, and corporate foundations and giving programs. We invite you to learn more about MPC's membership benefits, programs and events, and resources for grantmakers and nonprofits.

Philanthropy in Maine	Grantmakers	Grantseekers
Philanthropy Partners Conference Funders: Disaster Grantmaking Resources	Member Login Guiding Principles for Maine Grantmakers	Associate Member Login Research Sessions
Giving In Maine: MPC's Annual Survey	Accountability & Effectiveness Resources MPC Initiatives	Answers (FAQ) Foundation Finder, 990 Finder & more

Maine Philanthropy Center Introduces New President

MPC is excited to announce that Barbara Edmond will be the incoming President and will join MPC on June 10. Barbara comes to MPC from United Way Worldwide, where she has been the Vice President of Mobilization Markets and the Vice President of Best Practice Exchange responsible for providing intensive consultation and coaching to United Ways across the country. Prior to joining United Way Worldwide in 2004, Barbara served as CEO of United Way of York County in Kennebunk, Maine. Barbara is eager to return to Maine and bring her enthusiasm for advancing the common good and passion for mobilizing communities to MPC.

New Giving in Maine Report Shows Increase in Grant Dollars Awarded
MPC has just released a new Giving in Maine report, which provides a snapshot of foundation giving patterns in Maine in 2011 (the most recent available data). The report reveals the varying levels of grantmaking to nonprofits in education, health, human services, environment, arts and several other sectors. It also details the state's Top 20 Foundations and their total grantmaking in Maine. The figures show that overall grant dollars awarded by Maine-based foundations in 2011 increased by 10% over the previous year, while grant dollars from the Top 20 foundations increased by over 40%. The numbers also reveal significant increases to health care, public benefit, and education in 2011. Download the latest Giving in Maine report.

Connecting Congress with Philanthropy
The Maine Philanthropy Center was in Washington D.C. recently with the Council on Foundations, the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, and over 200 philanthropic leaders from 34 states. The Maine delegation seen here with Sen. Collins included (L to R): Gillian Schair (Hudson Foundation), Meredith Jones (Maine Community Foundation), Janet Hanry (MPC), and Michael Rayder (TD Charitable Foundation). The annual Foundations on the Hill provides an opportunity to meet with our elected officials to raise awareness about philanthropy's role in addressing critical issues in Maine and to discuss policies that could impact the entire charitable sector. This year was particularly critical given the potential effects of tax reform and the vulnerability of the charitable deduction . For more, read Meredith Jones’ blog with reflections on the visit.

Where Is MPC Headed: An Update

MPC has approved a new Strategic Plan Framework to guide its work over the next three years. It continues MPC's strong commitment to provide leadership and support for philanthropy to increase its impact in Maine. The framework provides even more focus on efforts to work collaboratively to support change that improves the lives of Maine people. Please take a look at the new plan here.

The strategic framework has also informed the search and the leadership expectations for MPC’s new President who will be named later this spring to replace Janet Henry. MPC’s Annual Meeting will be an opportunity to celebrate Janet and to meet the new President – join us on June 24 from 3 - 5 p.m. at USM's Abromson Hall. Watch for more details to come!

MPC's Directory of Maine Grantmakers is the premiere guide to the Maine philanthropic community.

Available now, the 8th edition of MPC's Directory of Maine Grantmakers contains up-to-date information on more than 400 grantmaking foundations, including: those based in Maine, those identifying Maine as a geographic priority, or those with a history of prior support to Maine nonprofits. Whether you are a grantmaker, work on behalf of a nonprofit organization, or provide professional support to our growing philanthropic community, we hope this directory will help you connect to valuable philanthropic resources. Order your copy now!