Grants to 10 organizations from the Maine Community Foundation aim to help strengthen nonprofit organizations and projects in Oxford County.

The Oxford County Committee awarded $68,610 through MaineCF’s Community Building Grant Program, according to a news release from the foundation.

The 2023 Grants from the Oxford County Committee:

• Bethel Area District Exchange and Food Pantry, for its food pantry, used-clothing store, food delivery, farm-to-pantry, senior food boxes, and school snack and backpack programs: $10,000;
• Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine, to assess unmet mental health needs and improve access to affordable mental health services for cancer patients: $6,210;
• Denmark Arts Center, to provide live music, theater, art shows, children’s’ camps, author readings and workshops: $5,000;
• School Administrative District 44, to operate a childcare and early-learning center in Bethel: $10,000;
• Oxford County Mental Health Services, for academic and enrichment activities for vulnerable students: $5,000;
• River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition, to expand the Old School Food Pantry’s reach through local partnerships, cooking classes and increasing access to fresh produce: $10,000;
• Team Long Run, to increase literacy through programs that get teacher-selected books into children’s homes: $5,000;
• The Progress Center, for meal delivery to children and adults with developmental disabilities recently released from the hospital or rehabilitation center: $5,000;
• Waterford Library Association, to hire a consultant to manage blogs on climate improvement to expand participation in its Climate Conversations: $2,400; and
• Western Maine Addiction Recovery Initiative, to support addiction recovery through education, advocacy and compassionate community action: $10,000.

The Oxford County Fund is a permanent endowment that supports projects and nonprofit organizations that strengthen communities. Proposals are submitted through MaineCF’s Community Building Grant Program, the foundation’s largest, and are reviewed by a committee of community members.

The next proposal deadline is Feb. 15, 2024. For more information, visit mainecf.org/communitybuilding.

The Oxford County Fund, established in 1997, is built through donations from the community. Those who would like more information can contact Program Officer Katie Howard at 207-412-0832 or khoward@mainecf.org.

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