A Powerful Start to LEARN@UMC in 2026

January 16, 2026By

Our January LEARN@UMC workshop, Storytelling for Impact, led by journalist Elaine Appleton Grant, was an inspiring and highly engaged session. Participants showed up ready to work, share, and reflect, and they gave it their all. The conversation was interactive from start to finish, with thoughtful questions, honest discussion, and real-time practice that pushed everyone to think more deeply about how they tell the story of their mission.

The workshop was informative and enlightening, offering practical guidance that participants can immediately apply to their communications and fundraising. Most importantly, it reinforced the power of storytelling as a way to connect with others in meaningful, heartfelt ways. We are grateful to everyone who participated and helped make the session such a success.

The LEARN@UMC series continues with upcoming opportunities to learn together:

Feb 11: Fundraising Tools to Use Now, a hands-on session exploring free fundraising and donor research tools at UMC

Mar 11: Open Q&A with the Grant Committee, offering guidance for organizations preparing for the 2026 Competitive Grant Call

Workshops are free for UMC grantees and $20 for other area nonprofits. We look forward to continuing to learn alongside you as we strengthen the nonprofit sector across our region.

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Public Events

UMC partners with American Flatbread for their December Pizza for a Cause Night

January 13, 2026By

United Midcoast Charities was proud to be named a beneficiary of American Flatbread Rockport’s ongoing Pizza for a Cause program, which regularly supports local organizations through community fundraising nights.

To add a little extra fun, UMC encouraged an Ugly Sweater twist, inviting community members to lean into the season while enjoying pizza or takeout. The playful theme helped draw families and friends together, turning a regular night out into an easy way to give back.

A portion of all sales from the evening supported United Midcoast Charities and the nonprofit organizations it helps strengthen across Midcoast Maine, with a focus on food, housing, health and safety, and economic security. The event reflected the power of small, accessible moments of generosity and the value of partnerships that make giving feel welcoming rather than overwhelming.

United Midcoast Charities is grateful to American Flatbread Rockport for including UMC in its Pizza for a Cause program and thanks everyone who participated for helping turn a fun night into meaningful community support.

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Capacity Building

UMC Featured on Inaugural Good Morning Rockland Radio Show

January 10, 2026By

Big congratulations to WRFR 93.3 on launching their brand new Monday morning show, Good Morning Rockland! UMC is honored to have had our Executive Director, Becca Gildred, as their very first guest. Check out the show to learn more about UMC and hear about our upcoming events.

Hosted by Janet Brown and John Burns, Good Morning Rockland is a weekly drive-time show highlighting local nonprofits, businesses, city updates, and events happening around Rockland. It’s a wonderful new resource for staying connected to our community.

We’re grateful to WRFR 93.3 for inviting us to help kick things off, and we wish the entire Good Morning Rockland team tremendous success as the show grows week after week.

To listen to the recording or to learn more, visit goodmorningrockland.com, where you can sign up for their newsletter and find out how you can be on the show too!

 

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Volunteerism

Community Volunteer Hub

January 1, 2026By

We’re excited to announce the launch of United Midcoast Charities’ Community Volunteer Hub, a new tool designed to make volunteering easier and more effective across our region.

We’ve heard consistently from nonprofits that finding and matching volunteers is a challenge — and from community members who want to help but aren’t sure where to start. The Community Volunteer Hub addresses both needs directly.

With just one short questionnaire, volunteers can share their interests, skills, and availability, and be matched with opportunities that align with the causes they care about. Nonprofits can search and filter volunteer profiles to connect with people who are a strong fit for their programs.

This is one more way UMC is strengthening connections and building capacity across the Midcoast nonprofit community.

Community members: Find a meaningful way to give back at unitedmidcoastcharities.org/volunteer
Nonprofits: Explore the Hub and join the platform to reach better-matched volunteers

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Public Events

UMC hosts 3rd Annual Gingerbread Spectacular

December 8, 2025By

What a joyful weekend at United Midcoast Charities’ Gingerbread Spectacular, held during Camden’s Christmas by the Sea! We loved welcoming community members who stopped in to admire the creations, vote for favorites, learn more about UMC, and snap a photo with our giant gingerbread man.

Thank you to everyone who baked, built, visited, voted, bid, and donated — your enthusiasm made this event truly special. A special shout-out to Coastal Community Recovery Center and Midcoast Regional Housing Trust, two UMC grantees who shared their missions while showcasing incredible gingerbread creations.

2025 Gingerbread Spectacular Winners

• 1st Place Adult Professional: Jessica Bailey
• 1st Place Adult Amateur: Beverly Scott
• 2nd Place Adult Amateur: Bangor Savings Bank
• 3rd Place Adult Amateur: Karrie Tribbe
• 1st Place Youth: Marissa Gildred
• 2nd Place Youth: Ava Croce
• 3rd Place Youth: Kara Croce
• People’s Choice Award: Scott’s Place

A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors who made it all possible:

16 Bay View Hotel, Adventure Advertising, Brio Custom, Wallace Events, Maine Coast Construction, Lie-Nielsen Toolworks, and Midcoast Villager.

Events like this remind us how much creativity, generosity, and holiday spirit live in our community — and we’re so grateful to everyone who helped make the Gingerbread Spectacular a sweet success.

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Public Events

Otter Tee Auction Raises $1,450 for UMC’s Urgent Needs Grant Pool

November 15, 2025By

United Midcoast Charities recently hosted a special Otter Tee Auction after a generous local community member donated one of the newly reissued Otter T-shirts that gained national attention after being worn by Taylor Swift and sparking millions in charitable giving. The shirts sold out almost immediately and are now extremely difficult to find, creating a unique opportunity to raise funds locally.

UMC launched the auction to support its Urgent Needs Grant pool, with a focus on helping feed Midcoast families while SNAP benefits remained in limbo. The fundraiser highlighted a simple but urgent truth: no parent should have to wonder how they will feed their children in the coming weeks.

The online auction raised a total of $1,450 for local food programs. United Midcoast Charities extends special thanks to Lisa Gorman of Yarmouth, whose winning bid, along with additional donations, made the fundraiser a success. These funds will help UMC provide timely support to neighbors facing food insecurity across Knox and Waldo Counties.

UMC also offers sincere gratitude to the local community member who donated the hard-to-find otter tee, making it possible to turn a moment of national attention into meaningful impact for Midcoast Maine families.

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Food

Waldo County Emergency Food Summit

October 31, 2025By

On October 31, Waldo Community Action Partners (WCAP) hosted its Emergency Food Summit in Belfast—a gathering of nonprofits, food pantries, schools, municipal and faith‑based leaders, and community partners working to address food insecurity across Waldo County.

The summit comes at a critical moment: many households face uncertainty as food assistance programs shift and benefits change.

Collaboration in action

UMC, along with several of our grantee organizations, participated, bringing experience and insight to the conversation:

The passionate turnout to this event underscores that tackling food insecurity is not just about providing meals—it’s about strengthening connections, sharing resources, and coordinating efforts across organizations. UMC is proud to play a central convening role, connecting partners and helping prevent small gaps from becoming bigger holes in the safety net every day.

 

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Events

UMC Records First Be the Tide Volunteer of the Month Radio Segments with 105.5 The Wave

October 22, 2025By

United Midcoast Charities recently recorded its first-ever Be the Tide – Volunteer of the Month radio segments as part of its collaboration with 105.5 The Wave, marking an exciting milestone for the program. The November and December segments were recorded in the studio with Don Shields and will air regularly on the station.

November’s segment featured Volunteer of the Month Marisa Fiorito, a familiar and dedicated presence at UMC. During her recording, Marisa shared what inspired her to begin volunteering, the fulfillment she finds in giving back, and the importance of showing up consistently for the community.

The December segment highlighted Cricket Fuller of PeoplePlace. Cricket spoke about the critical role quality childcare plays for working families and how UMC’s grant support helps bridge the gap between state subsidies and the true cost of providing high-quality care. She emphasized the long-term impact this support has on children, families, and communities.

The recorded segments now rotate daily on 105.5 The Wave at 8:20 AM, 11:20 AM, and 4:20 PM, helping shine a spotlight on volunteers and the organizations they support.

United Midcoast Charities looks forward to continuing the Be the Tide – Volunteer of the Month radio series and celebrating more outstanding volunteers from nonprofits across Knox and Waldo Counties in future recordings.

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Unlocking Fundraising Success: UMC’s October LEARN@UMC Workshop with CCS Fundraising

October 16, 2025By

United Midcoast Charities successfully hosted its October LEARN@UMC workshop, Unlocking Success: Choosing the Right Fundraising Counsel for Your Organization, bringing together nonprofit leaders, board members, and development staff for a highly engaging and practical learning experience.

Led by Sarah Emerson, Senior Vice President at CCS Fundraising, the session provided attendees with clear, actionable guidance on how to evaluate and select the right fundraising consultant for their organization. Participants walked away with a stronger understanding of when and why to engage outside counsel, how consultants can complement in-house development teams, and what criteria matter most when assessing organizational fit.

The workshop was widely praised for its interactive format and real-world relevance. Emerson shared concrete examples from her extensive career, helping attendees connect strategic concepts to the everyday realities faced by small and mid-sized nonprofits. Her approachable and thoughtful presentation style created a welcoming environment that encouraged questions, discussion, and peer learning throughout the session.

Nonprofits in attendance reported gaining practical tools and increased confidence to make informed decisions that support long-term fundraising success. The session reinforced the value of strategic partnerships and underscored how the right guidance can strengthen sustainability and impact.

This workshop was part of UMC’s ongoing LEARN@UMC series, which is designed to provide timely, high-quality professional development opportunities tailored to the needs of nonprofits serving Midcoast Maine communities.

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UMC Holds Waldo County Volunteer Recruitment Expo

October 14, 2025By

United Midcoast Charities successfully hosted the Waldo County Volunteer Recruitment Expo at the Waldo County YMCA in Belfast, bringing together nonprofit organizations and community members eager to get involved and give back.

The free, public event created a welcoming space for attendees to meet directly with nonprofits serving Knox and Waldo Counties, learn about a wide range of volunteer opportunities, and explore ways their interests, skills, and availability could support critical community needs. From one-time commitments to ongoing roles, the expo highlighted the many ways volunteers strengthen local organizations.

Nonprofits participating in the expo valued the opportunity to connect face-to-face with potential volunteers and share the impact of their work. Community members appreciated the accessible, one-stop format, which made it easy to ask questions, gather information, and discover causes that resonated with them.

The success of the expo also drew local media attention, with WABI TV 5 covering the event and highlighting it as a “one-stop shop” for community engagement. The coverage helped amplify the importance of volunteerism and the vital role local nonprofits play across Knox and Waldo Counties.

Watch the WABI TV 5 segment here: https://www.wabi.tv/2025/10/14/volunteer-expo-presents-one-stop-shop-community-engagement/

United Midcoast Charities extends sincere thanks to all of the nonprofits and community members who participated, as well as event sponsors Waldo County YMCA, 106.9 Frank FM, and 105.5 The Wave, whose support made the event possible.

 

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