ELLSWORTH — Nonprofit and public organizations seeking funding for projects that draw on the strengths of the community and foster collaboration are encouraged to apply to the Oxford County Fund, part of the Maine Community Foundation’s Community Building Grant Program.

A volunteer committee of Oxford County residents and business leaders reviews grants and makes recommendations for funding. The deadline for applying is Feb. 15. Application and guidelines are available at www.mainecf.org.

In 2014, grants from the Oxford County Fund included:

· $4,000 to Western Foothills Land Trust, for a timber-frame workshop series at Roberts Farm Preserve in Norway to support construction of a working sugar house for the homestead

· $4,800 to Oxford Hills School District, to help local teens develop leadership and career skills by growing produce at Roberts Farm for the Summer Feeding Program and to provide educational programs to at-risk students

· $7,000 to Oxford Hills Food & Nutrition Exchange, to promote local agriculture and skills through Community Roots at the Oxford County Fair.

With offices in Ellsworth and Portland, the Maine Community Foundation works with donors and other partners to improve the quality of life for all Maine people. To learn more about the foundation, visit www.mainecf.org.