Nazrin-Dixon-FNWMCapacity Building

Learn with UMC: Effective Relationships with Wealth Managers

February 27, 2020By

Our March offering in the Learn with UMC series, Effective Relationships with Wealth Managers, will take place from 9-11 am on March 13, at 16 Bayview in Camden. This event is sponsored by First National Wealth Management.

Invested funds are a critical tool in nonprofit finance. They allow the organization to adapt to situations of rapid change, address emerging needs, and plan for the long term. Portfolio managers Gary E. Stone and Christopher J. Shelton will discuss how to know if an endowment is right for your organization and answer important questions about how to start. Who is the best investment manager to oversee the administrative and fiduciary requirements to properly maintain the endowment? How do you find services to manage your endowment? What other things should you consider?

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KCareyWorkshopCapacity Building

United Midcoast Charities offers Grantseeking: Goals & Objectives

February 5, 2020By

UMC’s next free Learn with UMC event, Grantseeking: Goals & Objectives will be offered at 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb 28 at the Picker Room of the Camden Public Library. UMC program coordinator Kelly Carey will offer hands-on coaching about writing a winning grant application with concrete goals and objectives.

All around the nation, funders are increasingly moving to data-informed, outcome-focused grantmaking strategies. That means that it’s critical for nonprofits to clearly and concretely explain what they expect to do, and why they expect their activities will make difference to a social problem.

This workshop is recommended for anyone with grant-writing responsibilities, but especially for those who plan to apply for a UMC grant in 2020.  Pre-learning resources and post-workshop support are included in registration.

The workshop is free but we request that attendees register here to assist in planning. Refreshments will be provided.

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UMC_Board_EC_gridNews

UMC Elects New Officers and Directors

February 3, 2020By

Image: Top Row, L-R: UMC President Betsy Saltonstall, Vice President Lori Alexander, Treasurer Steve Kemple, Secretary John Viehman. Bottom Row, L-R: UMC Grants Committee Chair, Dr. Jim Hengerer, New Board Members Frank Hackett, who will serve on the finance and grants committees and Mary Sargent, who will serve on the communications committee.

UMC elected two new members to its board of directors at the organization’s Annual Meeting in December. They are Rockport resident Frank Hackett and Mary Sargent of Lincolnville.

Frank relocated in 2018 from the Hudson Valley. He has experience from past roles as partner at a CPA firm, COO of a leather design firm, CFO of a lamp manufacturer and a consultant to many for-profit and nonprofit organizations.

Mary is the executive director of Penobscot Shores Retirement Community in Belfast. From 2010 to 2018, she was the administrator at Quarry Hill in Camden. She has been a West Bay Rotarian since 2012 and is the club’s immediate past president.

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Kelly CareyNews

UMC Promotes Kelly Carey to Program Coordinator

January 24, 2020By

United Midcoast Charities, a community-supported nonprofit dedicated to grantmaking and capacity building for local nonprofits, has promoted Kelly Carey of Brooks into a new full-time program coordinator role.

Kelly joined UMC as administrative coordinator in February 2017. She earned a certificate in volunteer management from the Maine Commission for Community Service in 2018 and is a certified expert and trainer for Foundation Center Online.

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UMC staff Megan Williams and Kelly Carey display the 2019 Top-Rated Award.News

UMC named Top-Rated Nonprofit for Third Year

December 11, 2019By

Award based on outstanding reviews

We are pleased to announce UMC’s designation as a “2019 Top-Rated Nonprofit” by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews of charities and nonprofits. The Top-Rated Nonprofit Award is based on the rating and number of reviews UMC received from volunteers, donors and aid recipients. This is the third consecutive year in which UMC has received this honor and UMC is one of only 8 nonprofits in Maine to receive the 2019 accolade.

“We are honored to once again be recognized as a Top-Rated Nonprofit,” said UMC Executive Director Megan Williams. “We have more than ever to be proud of! This year culminated a three-year span in which UMC awarded more than $1.5 million in grants in Knox and Waldo counties. We are also providing training opportunities for all local nonprofits through our new Learn With UMC program, and offer open access to a national grants database. “

Individuals who have had experience with UMC’s programs gave the organization positive reviews through the GreatNonprofits website:

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Public Events

Shop Local, Support UMC on Dec 14.

November 26, 2019By

The holiday spirit is thriving in the Midcoast, where businesses in the Belfast, Camden and Rockland area have set aside Saturday, December 14 to contribute to United Midcoast Charities (UMC) in support of the work of local nonprofit organizations.

Participating shops have committed to generously donate a portion of their sales to UMC, and all proceeds will be applied toward UMC’s grants – which help food pantries, health clinics, nursing services, homeless shelters and other providers of vital services in Knox and Waldo counties. The Day of Giving events are made possible through lead sponsorship from Allen Insurance & Financial and Camden National Bank, with media sponsored by Courier Publications.

“Now in its fourth year, we are seeing a building momentum with Day of Giving events,” said UMC Executive Director, Megan Williams. “Last year, the event raised $10,000 for UMC’s local Grantmaking efforts.  Everyone can show support by shopping local on December 14.”

Participating businesses this year range from co-ops to clothing stores to restaurants. All involved will display Day of Giving posters and are listed HERE.

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Shoppers at the Grasshopper Shop of Rockland on Day of Giving 2018.Events

Calling all Businesses! Sign Up for UMC Day of Giving by November 14

October 28, 2019By

With the holiday season just around the corner, United Midcoast Charities is calling on businesses in Rockland, Belfast and the Camden area to participate in the fourth annual Day of Giving on Saturday, December 14, 2019.

Businesses that sign up by November 14 will receive publicity and recognition through press releases, paid ads in local papers, e-newsletters, postcards to local residents, prominently displayed posters, and promotion on Facebook.

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UMC's 2019 GranteesNews

United Midcoast Charities Awards 2019 Grants

September 24, 2019By

United Midcoast Charities (UMC) has announced its 2019 grant recipients. With this year’s awards, UMC’s total giving for the last three years alone tops $1.5 million to nonprofit organizations in Knox and Waldo counties.

UMC held its annual Community Celebration at the Samoset Resort on September 19, bringing community and nonprofit leaders together for an awards ceremony followed by dancing to music provided by The Right Track.

Highlights of the event included the premier of a video highlighting the work of UMC grantees and the announcement of the second annual “Unsung Hero Award.”

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Agency Events

UMC Offers Board Boot Camp for Beginners

September 6, 2019By

A Learn With UMC event
Board Boot Camp for Beginners will be held at the University of Maine Hutchinson Center in Belfast from 9 a.m. -3 p.m. on October 17. This event is offered in partnership with Maine Association of Nonprofits.

Do you ever worry about whether the board you’re on is covering all of its bases – or whether there’s some outstanding risk or liability that you’ve overlooked? This workshop will provide participants with a working understanding of the legal, fiduciary and governance obligations of nonprofit boards of directors. Attendees will gain clarity regarding the “must do” and “should do” tasks that every board faces and acquire strategies for engaging current and potential new board members in sharing the workload. Everyone will leave with an action plan for increasing the effectiveness of their board and heightened confidence regarding nonprofit board governance in an increasingly complex environment.

This session is for you if you are new to nonprofit governance, if you wonder whether your board is covering all its bases, or if your organization has grown beyond its grassroots origins but the board has not.
This program is intended for current board members, including new board members with little to no experience serving on boards as well as more experienced board members who want a refresher. Executive directors are welcome to attend with other board members, and it is strongly suggested that teams of 2-3 from the same organization attend together for most benefit. A maximum of three participants will be allowed to register from each organization.

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Public Events

Annual Community Celebration Happening September 19

August 9, 2019By

The 2019 UMC Community Celebration will take place on Thursday, Sep. 19 from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Samoset in Rockport. UMC will recognize its 2019 grant recipients and supporters with an evening of fun, dancing and delicious food and drink, including music by The Right Track.

The Unsung Hero community volunteer of the year, a joint project of Courier Publications and UMC, will also be awarded at the Community Celebration. Nominations are being accepted now through Sep. 2 at UnitedMidcoastCharities.org/unsung.

The public is invited to attend the Community Celebration. Tickets are available for $30 in advance here or by calling 207-236-2299. If space allows, tickets will be available at the door via cash or check.

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