Grant-seekers, funders mix in Machias

MACHIAS – People trying to do nonprofit projects Down East have problems aplenty, let alone getting their hands on serious money.

Washington County’s rural isolation, small population and limited resources are just a handful of challenges faced by those trying to tackle issues around economic development, the environment, health, education and the arts.

On Wednesday, more than 70 people trying to do good things on shoestring budgets had the opportunity to meet one other, as well as others who could answer their prayers for funding.

The occasion was a conference called “Meet the Funders,” staged at the Carter Banquet Hall by the Maine Philanthropy Center.

The Portland organization, whose members are largely grant-giving trusts and foundations, twice a year pulls together meetings that get grant-seekers and funders in the same room.

Usually at other locations statewide, about 150 people turn out, said Janet Henry, president of the Maine Philanthropy Center.

Getting 80 people together Down East, including a dozen funders, was considered a success this time – because a similar effort two years ago here produced only 20 people.

“When we did this two years ago, no one knew how private philanthropy worked or what could be gained,” Henry said. “Now there is increased awareness of how they can benefit.”

The grant makers in the room Wednesday represented opportunities to apply for hundreds of thousands of dollars that could ultimately end up Down East, if the projects sound right.

Even better, the dozen funders got to hear firsthand from the dozens of nonprofit programs that will benefit from these new face-to-face relationships.

“These people are interested in learning what’s going on Down East,” Henry told the group. “You should view everyone else in this room today as a resource.”

The funders who took the time to drive to Machias are varied. Among them were Maine Initiatives of Augusta, the Maine Women’s Fund of Portland, and the Maine Community Foundation of Ellsworth.

Farther-flung funders who made the trip include the National Rural Funders Collaborative of Dallas, Texas; the C.F. Adams Charitable Trust of Boston; and the Betterment Fund of New York.

Before the grant-seekers got to shake hands with the funders and exude excitement as they described their projects, they heard first from six nonprofit groups that already have found success with funders.

Dianne Tilton represented the Sunrise County Economic Council in Machias; Alan Furth described the work of the Cobscook Community Learning Center in Trescott; and Dwayne Shaw detailed how the Downeast Salmon Federation of Columbia Falls is making an impact.

From Hancock County, Mary Laury talked about the Schoodic Arts for All program in Winter Harbor and Prospect Harbor, and Barbara Peppey introduced the Healthy Peninsula Project of Blue Hill.

“We all rely on government support and philanthropy for what we can’t accomplish ourselves,” Tilton told the group. “We have huge needs and little money.”

Laury encouraged everyone to make their programs “jewels of the community.”

Furth told how it’s a long haul – six years in the case of the Cobscook Community Learning Center – to build “sustaining, effective programs.”

As for members of the audience, their name tags showed their various affiliations. Among them were the Washington County Children’s Program in Marshfield; Jazz Lubec; the Dennys River Historical Society in Dennysville; the Next Step Domestic Violence Project in Machias and Calais; the Faith United Methodist Church in Columbia; the Roque Bluffs Community Center; and the Down East Business Alliance of Milbridge.