Decarceration & Prison Reform Incarcerated folks are among the most vulnerable members of our community in this crisis. With over 3,000 individuals currently being held across Maine’s state prisons and jails, the prospect of a COVID-19 outbreak is extremely worrying. This week, we’re excited to share the ways our grantee partners are working to protect […]

If you would like to support organizations working on decarceration and prison reform in Maine, consider the following organizations: Maine Inside Out Maine Inside Out initiates dialogue, develops leadership, and builds community across boundaries with collaborative original theater, inside and outside correctional facilities. We are committed to dismantling all forms of oppression and building a […]

Dear Friends: Can you believe it’s been over a month that we’ve been living in this strange new reality? Our team is starting to get into the groove of working remotely, and we hope that you are finding some sense of normalcy and self-care during your days. During this time of nearly all virtual communications, […]

Maine Immigrant & Refugee Funders Collaborative Awards $150,000 to Immigrant-Led Organizations in Maine During COVID-19 Pandemic PORTLAND, Maine–The Maine Immigrant & Refugee Funders Collaborative announces $150,000 in grants from the Immigrant-Led Organizations Fund, a grantmaking fund at Maine Initiatives, established in 2017 to support immigrant-led and immigrant-serving organizations in Maine. These grants will provide critical […]

We’re excited to launch a new email feature: COVID-19 Issue Spotlights, where we’ll highlight critical organizing and advocacy work happening in response to COVID-19. This week, we’re highlighting the housing crisis and how the pandemic is exacerbating housing inequities. Questions loom large: Where will May 1 rent come from? Will the government freeze my mortgage, […]

A number of mutual aid funds have been opened in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities. These funds support food, medicine, housing and shelter needs that are often so hard to come by. We’re excited to highlight two funds facilitated by Maine Initiatives grantees: Estamos […]

Dear Friends, This crisis has laid bare the wealth inequities in our country for all to see. We are traditionally so private about how we spend our money, but for us these unprecedented times call for nontraditional action. My family is honored to share our stimulus money and to share our stimulus story with all […]

Supporting Grassroots Leadership During COVID-19 Dear Friends: Thanks to the incredible support of donors like you, we are making $308,920 in grants to grassroots organizations in Maine! These grants will go to 54 organizations that are providing critical leadership in this moment by: Connecting people to immediate assistance, like Presente! Maine’s food brigade providing food to immigrant families and […]