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Welcome to the Maine Initiatives Blog

June 12, 2020

Blog

It is time.

Black Lives Matter Dear Community: Black lives matter. It’s easy to say these words, and ever so important in this moment. But it’s not enough. As a community, we recognize that this is a transformational moment. Now is not the time to rest, but the time to work. Today, we make the following commitments: We […]

June 03, 2020

Blog

Remembering Alain Nahimana

Honoring a Community Leader and Dear Friend Dear Community, It is with deep sadness that I write about the passing of Alain Nahimana this past weekend. As many of you know, Alain was a smart, thoughtful, engaging and committed leader. He was a tireless and effective advocate – for immigrants and for justice – both […]

May 29, 2020

Blog

We are Minneapolis

Dear Community: It is with deep pain that we write this today. Pain for George Floyd. Pain for Breonna Taylor. Pain for Ahmaud Aubery. Pain for so many Black lives lost – taken – because we as a community and as a country have not valued Black lives as we should and must. Pain for […]

May 28, 2020

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May 2020 eNews

Dear Friend, Have you been spending more time outside? We are feeling grateful for all the beauty that Maine’s spring season offers us – even in these hard times. While we wish we were seeing all your lovely faces at our annual Changemakers Celebration next month, we are excited to find new ways to connect […]

May 26, 2020

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PRESS RELEASE: Maine Initiatives Awards $516,920 to Grassroots Organizations Responding to COVID-19

Maine Initiatives Awards $516,920 to Grassroots Organizations Responding to COVID-19 Portland, ME–Maine Initiatives, a community-based foundation based in Portland, Maine, announces $516,920 in grants to 57 community-based nonprofit organizations responding to the COVID-19 crisis across the state of Maine. These grants are made from the COVID-19 Community Care Fund, which is an emergency response community […]

May 26, 2020

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More than $500,000 to Grassroots Organizations in Maine!

Thanks to the incredible support of donors like you, we are making a second round of emergency support grants to grassroots organizations in Maine. With $309,420 distributed last month, and another $207,500 going out this week, we are proud to distribute a total of $516,920 in grants directly into the hands of community leaders responding to […]

May 20, 2020

Blog

COVID-19 Issue Spotlight: Workers’ Rights

Workers’ Rights The coronavirus pandemic has fundamentally shifted how our economy functions. While some workers have been able to shift to a work-from-home set-up, tens of thousands have lost their jobs, and many of those who are still employed must choose between a paycheck and their own health and safety. This week’s COVID-19 issue spotlight takes a […]

May 20, 2020

Blog

Supporting Workers’ Rights

If you would like to support organizations working on workers’ rights in Maine, consider the following organizations: Cambodian Community Association of Maine The Cambodian Community Association of Maine (CCAM) is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to improve the quality of life and the social and economic well-being of Cambodian people in Maine through cultural exchange, […]