Northeast COMBAT Inc. has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation in support of the organization’s $400,000 capacity building campaign. Making the announcement was the group’s president, Edward Steltzer.

“We are most grateful for this generous gift, which gives us a leg up on our campaign to increase our ability to help growing numbers of Maine people who depend upon us,” said Steltzer.

COMBAT, an acronym for “Consumers of Maine Bringing Action Together,” is widely held to be the oldest organization of its type in the United States. Founded in 1972, the Bangor-based nonprofit has helped Maine consumers and small businesses that have been victimized by (primarily out-of-state) fraudulent, unethical, or unresponsive companies.

COMBAT organizers report that heightened use of the Internet for shopping and a growing trend of fraudulent and deceptive online fraud have overwhelmed the group’s volunteer force. “We receive no state or federal tax dollars,” said COMBAT founder and Executive Director John Supranovich, “so we depend on public support.

“The King Foundation gift has energized and inspired our volunteers to work even harder,” he said.

Supranovich said the group is especially concentrating on the needs of senior consumers, who are using the Internet in growing numbers and being victimized much as they have in the past by mail order and telemarketing.

For memberships and donations, the organization can be reached at 109 State St., Bangor, Maine 044021 or info@consumerprotect.org