FARMINGTON — The United Way of the Tri-Valley Area recently was awarded $38,532 from the Lerner Foundation to pilot a new training program for municipalities.

The grant provides training in how to make municipalities stronger through volunteers, Eleni Margaronis of the United Way said.

Based on the Service Enterprise Model used by nonprofits, the grant will help start conversations to see what municipalities need and whether skilled volunteers could make a difference, she said.

“We’ll be reaching out to different towns in greater Franklin County,” she said. “It is in the early stages.”

Four municipalities will receive the free training provided by Margaronis.

“The Service Enterprise model is an organizational change model that engages citizens as volunteers to help organizations achieve strategic goals, deliver more services, accomplish more work and integrate strong volunteer management practices into its operations so work can be sustained,” Margaronis said in a news release.

The UWTVA has established a successful volunteer center in partnership with the Maine Commission for Community Service and funded by the Volunteer Generation Fund, she said. She was referring to the Days of Caring and Packs for Progress programs. 

That success prompted the Lerner Foundation of Portland “to recognize the organization for its creativity, innovation and impact,” according to a release.

Emanuel and Pauline Lerner from the Washington area were frequent visitors and loved Maine. The foundation was started to “financially support efforts in Maine to build a healthy civil society,” the foundation website said.

For more information about the Service Enterprise Model or how to get involved in your community, contact the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area at 778-5048.