Maine Community Foundation awards $110,000 in grants to support animal welfare organizations

PORTLAND & ELLSWORTH—Maine organizations that support animal welfare have been awarded $110,000 in grants as part of the Maine Community Foundation’s COVID-19 crisis response.

“These 16 grants support animal shelters, humane societies, and pet rescue and adoption services across the state that are responding to increased demand for pet food and supplies, increased surrenders and need for sheltering due to the virus, and increased need for financial support for medical needs,” said Director of Grantmaking Laura Lee. A complete list is available at www.maine.org.
 
MaineCF coordinated with the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation to support animal welfare organizations statewide, with all 16 Maine counties represented. The Sewall Foundation supports work in Maine to improve the well-being of people, animals and the environment while fostering relationships that strive for social equity and community resilience.
 
MaineCF also is accepting grant applications now for the Animal Welfare Fund from Maine organizations that address population control for cats and dogs. The deadline for applications is June 1, 2020. For application, guidelines and a complete list of 2019 grants, go to www.mainecf.org.
 
The Animal Welfare Fund awarded $156,373 in grants to 13 nonprofits in 2019. Priorities for applicants should include addressing cat overpopulation, having clearly defined goals and strategies to measure progress, programs with potential to positively impact the community or the organization, and sustainability after MaineCF funding ends. Strong preference is given to applicants who offer special or discounted programs to low-income pet owners.
 
An anonymous donor established the Animal Welfare Fund in 2007. It is further supported by the Doree Taylor Charitable Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., and the George F. Lyman and Ernestine Lyman Trust. Since its launching, the fund has made nearly $1.3 million in grants to 42 nonprofit organizations in Maine. 
 
For more information, visit www.mainecf.org or contact Program Officer John Ochira at 1-877-700-6800 or jochira@mainecf.org.
Caption: Midcoast Humane in Brunswick, a COVID-19 Animal Welfare grant recipient, offers information on adoption and pet care during the pandemic.

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Headquartered in Ellsworth, with additional personnel in Portland, Dover-Foxcroft, and Mars Hill, the Maine Community Foundation works with donors and other partners to provide strong investments, personalized service, local expertise, and strategic giving to improve the quality of life for all Maine people. To learn more about the foundation, visit www.mainecf.org.

CONTACT:
Carl Little
Communications Manager
(207) 412-2018