OUR AREAS OF FOCUS

FOOD

Maine ranks third among states for the rate of hunger. Nearly 16 percent of its households — more than 200,000 people — experience food insecurity, unable to afford enough food throughout the year.

HOUSING

Statistics from the Maine State Housing Authority show that the average monthly rent in Knox and Waldo counties is unaffordable to more than 50%. The report also states that home ownership is not affordable for 53% of Knox county and 54% of Waldo county residents. The only homeless shelter in the two counties is able to shelter just 5-10% of their caseload.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Health and poverty are inextricably linked. When people are healthy and safe, they have a better chance of moving out of poverty. Poor health and unsafe conditions reduce a family’s work and educational productivity. Access to health care in Knox and Waldo Counties is below the state average, with a lack of care due to cost and lack of insurance being factors. Maine is also number six in the nation for our rate of domestic violence murders.

ECONOMIC SECURITY

Only two-thirds of Maine’s workforce of 620,000 people earn a living wage. The ability of individuals, households or communities to cover their essential needs sustainably and with dignity is crucial to our neighbors’ wellbeing. Financial security is in part dependent on education, job skills training, even transportation and access to childcare.

WHO WE ARE

United Midcoast Charities, founded in 1942, is a 501c3 nonprofit. UMC's mission is to energize Midcoast Maine nonprofit agencies through finance and guidance, supporting a network of resources stronger than any single organization. Through a yearly grant application and review process, UMC funds agencies that primarily benefit residents of Knox and Waldo counties.

MORE INFO

WHO BENEFITS?

100% of UMC donations are awarded as grants to more than 50 nonprofit agencies in Knox and Waldo counties each year. UMC's grants program is funded through individual and private foundation contributions.

OUR GRANTEES

INVEST IN YOUR COMMUNITY

If you’re an individual, a foundation, town, or business, UMC can help you invest in your community. Because of our wide network, coverage of Knox and Waldo counties and our breadth of knowledge about the issues facing our communities, we can help you leverage your donation, grant, sponsorship or time to increase your impact.

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VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME

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DONATE

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SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE

BY THE NUMBERS

50

NON-PROFITS SUPPORTED ANNUALLY IN KNOX & WALDO COUNTIES

27483

PEOPLE SERVED BY UMC GRANTEES EACH YEAR IN KNOX & WALDO COUNTIES

8500000

DOLLARS GRANTED BY UMC IN THE PAST 30 YEARS

100

PERCENT OF YOUR DONATION THAT SUPPORTS OUR GRANT PROGRAM

GALLERY

FEEDBACK FROM VOLUNTEERS, DONORS AND RECIPIENTS

UMC is an integral part of the midcoast Maine non-profit network of services. They have been very open about asking how to better serve the neediest demographic in this area as well as how to better support the non-profits that focus on this work. I feel we are stronger and more able to help the people who need it the most because of UMC.
ANONYMOUS
Knox Clinic Logo
UMC is making a difference in our communities every day by providing much needed operational funding to local non-profits. A lot of foundations like giving money to new shiny projects, but then aren't willing to provide operational money to help keep them going, even when they've proven that they make a dramatic impact. Not so at UMC! They carefully evaluate local non-profits through a rigorous grant cycle, and year after year have helped our volunteer clinic expand to serve the growing number of Mainers in need of care. Thank you for making our communities healthier and happier! ~ Everyone at the Knox County Health Clinic.
KNOX CLINIC
MaineHealth Care at Home
United Midcoast Charities has made it possible for us to keep the doors of home health and hospice open to those in greatest needs. We thank United Midcoast Charities for the valuable funds that support our Compassionate Care Program.
MAINE HEALTHCARE AT HOME