The blessings of democracy are not automatic. Our system is designed to be powered by an engaged citizenry. So here is where we are now: we must rise to the challenge. 

We know that the incoming administration will pursue a policy agenda that directly and negatively impacts the communities and the issues that are at the heart of our mission and work. 

Racial Justice. Immigrant Flourishing. Gender Justice. Environmental Justice. Economic Justice. 

They have told us their plans. They are setting them in motion. It will happen fast. We are ready. 

Since 2016, we have been building and strengthening our network of community-based partners: nonprofits that are doing the front line work advancing justice and equity in our neighborhoods. 

Through our community-based grantmaking programs focused on racial justice and immigrant flourishing, we have made long-term funding commitments to a powerful group of almost 50 BIPOC-led organizations that are leading this work in Maine. Organizations like:

Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition
Presente! Maine
ProsperityME
Wabanaki REACH

In addition, we continue to fund and strengthen our key partners working across our broader mission of social, economic, and environmental justice issues through MaineShare. Organizations like:

Maine Center Economic Policy
Maine Equal Justice
Equality Maine
Southern Maine Workers’ Center

Together, these organizations represent our community’s “first responders” for what is to come. 

I invite you to learn about these organizations: get to know them and the work they do. Support them directly through the MaineShare giving platform. This is our work and this is how we protect justice work in Maine.

In solidarity,

Phil

Photo: Grants for Change Grantmaking Retreat. Photo credit: John Ochira