Because MPC members work on every side of an issue--as funders, nonprofits, foundation trustees, and volunteers--MPC is uniquely positioned to make connections among our members and make Maine a better place to live, work, and play. This month, MPC is featuring Jane's Trust, one of our grantmaker members working in Maine but based out of Boston.
We asked Nancy B. Gardiner, Gioia Perugini, and Megan Briggs Reilly of Jane's Trust six questions about their work in philanthropy in Maine. Here's what they said...
1. What's your favorite thing about summer in Maine?
We visit Maine year-round as part of the grant review process for Jane's Trust. Summer is a wonderful time to visit communities across the state. From hiking with Maine Huts and Trails to walking the Bayside Promenade with Portland Trails to visiting working farms in Unity with MOFGA and Maine Farmland Trust, to the world-class art at the Farnsworth Museum and the impactful services at the Dempsey Center, Good Shepherd Food Bank and Educare of Central Maine, Jane's Trust staff crisscrosses the state to learn about the needs of its residents and the responses by the nonprofit community.
Apprentices at Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Assocation (MOFGA), a Jane's Trust grantee, learn about early-season greens production at Ararat Farm during one of the organization's several Farm Training Project workshops. Photo by Jean English, MOFGA
2. If you had to describe your work in three words, what would they be?
Inspiring, challenging and hopeful
3. Why do you do the work you do? What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?
We hear so much about impact, assessment, and strategic philanthropy. We also try to incorporate the pure joy of giving into the Trust's grant making. Our role is to help marry the best of what we know about charitable giving to the vision, interests and motivation of the Trustees of Jane's Trust. Our best days are when we can help match the Trustees passion with strong, sustainable and important work being done in Maine. When one of the Jane's Trust Trustees says "I can really see how important this is and I'm thrilled we can support it" or "This is just what Jane Cook would have wanted," it's a good day.
4. When you call a colleague for advice--what questions to you ask?
We are grateful to have a network of colleagues in Maine, especially because Jane's Trust is not technically "based" in Maine. We are grateful for the time and wisdom that the professionals who live and work in Maine every day provide. Their local knowledge and perspective is invaluable, whether it involves a specific organization or trends in the state generally. It certainly helps improve the Trust's grant making and reach.
5. What's the biggest challenge for Jane's Trust? What keeps you up at night?
Like many funders, the Trustees and staff of Jane's Trust want to make a positive impact on the people and natural resources in Maine and the rest of northern New England. In particular, the Trustees care very deeply about those who lack access to basic human needs, education and a rich cultural and educational life. "How can we help fix this?" and "Are we making a difference?" are questions we ask all the time. Continuing to assess whether the grants that the Trust makes are improving the opportunities for individuals and natural resources in Maine in a sustainable way is the most important work that we do.
Unity Food Hub, another Jane's Trust grantee, occupies a a renovated 1898 grammar school in Unity, Maine.
6. What are you most excited about right now in your work?
We are in the midst of reviewing concept paper applications to Jane's Trust, so it's always exciting to see the breadth and depth of work happening in Maine. Because the Trust accepts unsolicited proposals, we see a wide range of activity happening in communities across the state. At the same time, we always try to connect the dots between the work funded by Jane's Trust in Maine and in other states. Are there best practices being implemented elsewhere that can help improve the lives of Mainers? Can we help export the good work being done in Maine so that others can learn from it?
7. What does success look like for Jane's Trust? What's your endgame?
As a regional funder, Jane's Trust makes place-based grants in the geographies where the Trustees live, work and play. The northern New England states each have their own personality. We can learn from one another and, where appropriate, perhaps collaborate in ways that will make the region stronger. Our work across the region gives us good perspective on the possibilities.
About Jane's Trust
Jane's Trust is a regional family foundation which makes grants in Maine focused on health and welfare, education, the arts and the environment. For more information about Jane's Trust please visit the Trust's web site at www.hembar.com/janestrust.
Nancy B. Gardiner is the Program Director at Jane's Trust and Gioia Perugini and Megan Briggs Reilly are Program Officers at Jane's Trust