If you would like to support organizations working on the movement for Black lives, consider the following organizations: BLM Portland BLM Portland was established as an organization dedicated to and aligned with the demands and mission of the national Movement for Black Lives*. We are a collective of local organizers, activists, and community members who […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]