More than $78,000 in Maine Community Foundation grants aim to help strengthen nonprofit organizations and projects in Franklin and Somerset counties.

The 11 grants through MaineCF’s Community Building Grant Program include $77,630 recommended by the Western Mountains Committee and two additional grants totaling $20,000 from people with donor-advised funds, according to a news release from the foundation.

Grant recipients include:

• Baker Mountain Ski Tow Club, Moscow, for a giant slalom competition: $3,275;
• Farmington Grange No. 12, to update its facility for community activities: $10,000;
• Friends of L.C. Bates Museum, Hinckley, to create a lending library of educational resources for elementary-school teachers for natural-science learning: $1,640;
• Greater Franklin Food Council, Farmington, to hire a school garden coach to work with schools as they establish thriving school gardens: $6,215;
• High Peaks Creative Council, Farmington, for a teaching craftsman to build a wooden climbing structure at Phillips Elementary School students in pre-K to fourth grade. $10,000;
• Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, Augusta, to financially assist people with basic needs: $6,000;
• Kingfield POPS, to provide cultural enrichment for families and music education opportunities for area youth: $10,000;
• Lake Wesserunsett Association, Madison, to expand its boat inspection program to protect the lake against invasive species, and to construct educational kiosks at two campgrounds: $500;
• Main Street Skowhegan, to develop a master trail plan in Skowhegan to enhance access to the outdoors: $10,000;
• Rangeley Friends of the Performing Arts, to engage and build community through art conversations and production: $10,000; and
• United Way of the Tri Valley Area, Farmington, to assist rural and economically disadvantaged residents with vehicle repair costs: $10,000.

2022 grants from donor-advised funds:

• Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Farmington, to assemble a team to design a larger community site for those with unmet needs: $10,000; and
• Western Maine Community Action, Wilton, to reduce financial barriers to improve safety and well-being for individuals and families: $10,000.

The Western Mountains 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, 2023. The application, guidelines and list of all 2022 grants are at mainecf.org.

The Western Mountains Fund, established in 1992, is built through donations from the community. For more information about the fund or grant program, contact Foundation Officer John Ochira at 207-412-0837 or jochira@mainecf.org. To learn more about the foundation, visit mainecf.org.

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