Author Archives: Eileen McGuigan

Every month, United Midcoast Charities’ Be the Tide — Volunteer of the Month collaboration with 105.5 The Wave brings you the story of someone who shows up, rolls up their sleeves, and makes a difference. A volunteer joins us in the studio, along with the nonprofit that nominated them, to talk about why the work matters and what keeps them coming back.

This month, we recorded a new segment featuring Cliff Dasko, MD, MPH, volunteer Chief Clinical Officer at the Knox Clinic in Rockland. The Knox Clinic provides free medical care, medication assistance, and mental health support, and dental care to insured and uninsured adults in Midcoast Maine, helping ensure community members can access essential healthcare regardless of their financial circumstances. Cliff shared what inspires his commitment to the clinic and why accessible, compassionate care matters so deeply to him. Jesse Lucas, Knox Clinic’s Communications and Outreach Coordinator, also spoke about the impact volunteers have on the organization’s ability to serve patients throughout the region.

Tune in to 105.5 The Wave daily at 8:20 a.m., 11:20 a.m., and 4:20 p.m. in June to hear this story.

Every Nonprofit Has That One Volunteer

We are actively seeking nominations for Be the Tide Volunteer of the Month, and we need more incredible volunteers from across Knox and Waldo counties.

This is not limited to UMC grantees. Any nonprofit organization in Knox or Waldo County can nominate a volunteer whose commitment deserves public celebration.

Each selected Volunteer of the Month will be featured in a month-long radio campaign with three spots airing every day, highlighting:

• the volunteer and their impact

• the nonprofit they serve

• volunteer opportunities within the organization

• UMC’s Be the Tide volunteer initiative and volunteer hub

This is FREE visibility for local nonprofits, meaningful recognition for volunteers, and a chance to inspire more people in our community to step up and get involved.

If you know someone who is the kind of person every organization relies on but rarely recognizes, nominate them. Help us shine a light on the people holding this community together every single day.

Nonprofit organizations across our region are seeing growing demand for financial literacy and financial stability support, but creating high-quality educational programming internally can be costly and time-intensive. United Midcoast Charities is pleased to help share a collaborative opportunity that allows local organizations to expand services for the people they serve without having to build those programs from scratch.

By leveraging existing expertise and partnerships, programs like this can help nonprofit organizations stretch limited resources further while reaching more people across Knox and Waldo counties.

We know that financial challenges are a reality for many in our community. That’s why we’re excited to share a meaningful opportunity through Bank of America’s Banking Sustainably program — a complimentary financial education resource available to nonprofit organizations, at no cost. Through this program, nonprofit organizations can host in-person financial education seminars led by local banking professionals — designed to meet community members right where they are. Whether the need is building savings, understanding credit, planning for homeownership, or preparing for the future, these sessions offer practical, trustworthy guidance in a welcoming, face-to-face setting.

Here’s more about what the Banking Sustainably program offers:

Financial stability plays a vital role in building strong, resilient communities. Through the Banking Sustainably program, Bank of America offers complimentary in-person financial education seminars designed to support the individuals and families served by local nonprofit organizations.

These interactive seminars are tailored to meet the needs of broad audiences and may include topics such as: Savings & Budgeting, Privacy & Security, Credit & Debt, General Investing, Personal Banking, Taxes & Income, Homeownership, College Planning, Auto Loan Tips, and Life Stage Planning.

Each session is delivered face-to-face by local banking professionals, creating space for meaningful discussion, real-time questions, and practical guidance that participants can apply immediately.

In addition to seminar programming, attendees have access to local banking professionals who can provide follow-up guidance and connect individuals with appropriate financial resources. Depending on availability, participants may be able to open certain types of accounts at the event. This relationship-based support combines local presence with the strength of national resources.

Organizations interested in hosting an in-person financial education seminar for their community are encouraged to contact Emily Courchesne at emily.courchesne@bofa.com or Rose Parsons at Rosaleen.parsons@bofa.com for more information.”

There are many ways to support United Midcoast Charities and the nonprofit organizations strengthening our community each day. In addition to online donations, donor-advised funds, qualified charitable distributions, gifts of stock, workplace giving, and estate and legacy gifts, UMC also accepts in-kind donations that can help advance our mission throughout the year.

In-kind gifts may include unique experiences, services, vacation stays, event tickets, outdoor adventures, merchandise, or other items that can be used to support fundraising efforts such as our annual auction, benefiting nonprofits across Knox and Waldo counties. Remember, the Otter Tee last summer raised more than $ 1,200 to address food insecurity.

If you are interested in making an in-kind contribution or learning more about unique ways to support UMC, please contact Eileen McGuigan at eileen@unitedmidcoastcharities.org.

Our recent Volunteer Recruitment Expo was a reminder of something we already believed: this community doesn’t wait to be asked twice.

Nonprofits and prospective volunteers filled the room, and the range of talent and experience on both sides was genuinely impressive. Every skill, every background, every passion had a place. One nonprofit summed it up well: “We’re crushing it! We’re connecting with amazing volunteer prospects.” That’s what happens when the right people find the right opportunities.

If you’ve ever thought, “I want to help, but I don’t know where to start” — this is it.

Get Connected Through Our Community Volunteer Hub

Whether you’re ready to volunteer or a nonprofit looking for skilled community members to join your team, our Community Volunteer Hub makes it simple. One quick sign-up connects volunteers to dozens of local nonprofits who need exactly what you bring — and connects nonprofits to a pool of engaged, capable people ready to get to work.

Sign up here: www.unitedmidcoastcharities.org/volunteer

Earlier this month, UMC hosted one of its most engaging LEARN@UMC workshops yet. “The Human Side of Communication: What AI Can’t Replace” brought together nonprofit staff and volunteers for a hands-on session focused on something that never goes out of style: the power of a real human voice.

The workshop was led by Stephen Moro, a retired Camden Hills Regional High School English teacher who now teaches Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Debate, and Controversial Issues at the University of Maine at Augusta’s Rockland Center, as well as to inmates earning their degree at the Maine State Prison in Warren/Cushing.

When he’s not teaching, Steve also volunteers at St. Bernard’s Soup Kitchen in Rockland. His deep roots in both education and community service shaped what turned out to be a rich, practical conversation about how nonprofits can communicate their missions with clarity and confidence, whether they’re talking to donors, engaging volunteers, or advocating for the people they serve.

Steve modeled his own message. Warm, unhurried, and genuinely present, he reminded the room that the best communication comes from kindness and presence. His message was a simple one, and it landed: no matter how sophisticated our tools become, there is no replacement for genuine human connection.

The LEARN@UMC series continues with a special online session on FRIDAY, May 8, with Patrick Gotham from CCS revisiting what has changed with AI in the last year. AI 2.0 is one you won’t want to miss. To register, contact admin@unitedmidcoastcharities.org or call 207-236-2299. FREE for ‘25-’26 Grantees $20 for anyone else wishing to attend.

People across the Midcoast often ask the same question: How can I help? This spring, United Midcoast Charities is making it easier than ever to find the answer.

On April 22 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., UMC will host its Spring Volunteer Expo at the Flanagan Community Center gymnasium in Rockland. The event brings together dozens of local nonprofit organizations that rely on volunteers to power their work. Community members can stop by, meet representatives from a wide range of organizations, and learn about opportunities that match their interests, skills, and availability.

There is something special about seeing so many missions gathered in one room. Each table represents a story, a need, and a chance to make a difference.

The expo also highlights UMC’s recently launched Community Volunteer Hub, a new online tool designed to help volunteers and nonprofits connect more intentionally. Community members can complete a short questionnaire about their interests and availability, and participating nonprofits can search for volunteers who may be a good fit for their programs.

The goal is simple: help local organizations find the volunteers they need and help residents discover meaningful ways to give back.

Whether you are looking for a one-time opportunity or an ongoing way to get involved, the Spring Volunteer Expo is a great place to start.

The Kindness Community Market at Belfast Soup Kitchen has a new home, and it reflects just how far this vital resource has come.

United Midcoast Charities was honored to join BSK Executive Director Cherie Merrill and her team recently for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the Market’s move into its own dedicated building on the BSK campus. What began as a community pantry has grown into something that needed, and now has, real room to flourish.

The new space gives the Kindness Community Market the capacity to expand its reach and better serve the people who depend on it. And if the energy at the ribbon cutting was any indication, the Belfast Soup Kitchen community is more than ready for this next chapter.

Perhaps the moment that said it most: UMC board member Karen Foxwell, a longtime BSK volunteer, stepped away from her morning dishwashing shift just long enough to cut the ribbon, take a few photos, and then headed right back to work. That kind of quiet, roll-up-your-sleeves dedication is exactly what has made Belfast Soup Kitchen such a cornerstone of the midcoast community.

UMC is proud to support the people behind this work, Cherie, Karen, and the many volunteers and staff who show up every day to make the Kindness Community Market possible. We can’t wait to see what they do with this wonderful new space.

United Midcoast Charities invites community members with professional skills or specialized knowledge to share their expertise through our LEARN@UMC workshop series.

LEARN@UMC brings practical, high-quality training directly to nonprofits serving Knox and Waldo Counties. Many of the organizations doing essential work in our region are small and rural, and traveling hours to attend workshops and professional development is not always feasible. By offering workshops locally, UMC helps ensure nonprofit leaders and staff can access the tools and knowledge they need to strengthen their organizations.

Past workshops have covered topics such as Fundraising, Grant Writing, Planned Giving, AI for Nonprofits, Event Planning, and more. These sessions are designed to be approachable, hands-on, and immediately useful for people working in mission-driven organizations.

We are always looking to expand the series with new perspectives and expertise. One shared skill or insight can strengthen an entire organization. If you are a professional, consultant, educator, or subject-matter expert with insights that could help nonprofits operate more effectively, lead more confidently, or build long-term sustainability, we would love to connect.

LEARN@UMC is part of UMC’s broader commitment to strengthening nonprofit capacity across the Midcoast. By bringing training and expertise closer to home, we help organizations spend less time overcoming barriers and more time serving their communities.

If you might be interested in presenting a future workshop, please reach out to admin@unitedmidcoastcharities.org to start the conversation.

We all know someone who makes the Midcoast a better place. They’re the volunteers who show up week after week, the neighbors who step in when things get hard, the connectors who bring people together, and yes—the donors whose generosity helps make meaningful work possible.

These are the people who create a rising tide for our community.

While financial support is one powerful way to lead philanthropically, the people who lift our community most often show up in multiple ways—through volunteerism, skills, connections, and generosity. We’re looking for individuals who consistently give of themselves in meaningful ways and strengthen our region through how they show up for others.

For the first time, United Midcoast Charities is inviting the community to help select the 2026 Rising Tide Award for Philanthropic Excellence recipient.

This award honors the spirit of generosity modeled by past honorees—Sani Wolf Fogel (2023), Karen Foxwell (2024), and Christopher Beebe (2025)—and shines a light on both visible leaders and the unsung heroes working behind the scenes.

We’re seeking nominees who demonstrate leadership through:

• A sustained commitment to the Midcoast and the people who live here
• Meaningful engagement through time, talent, treasure, and ties
• Inspiring others to join in strengthening our communities

Do you know someone whose heart and hard work lift others?
Help us recognize the people who make our shared tide stronger.

At United Midcoast Charities, we believe a thriving community is built by people — and supported by strong local nonprofits. We are proud to announce that our 2026 Grant Cycle will officially open on Sunday, March 1.

Whether it’s putting food on a neighbor’s table, ensuring a safe place to sleep, or providing the health services families rely on, UMC is here to fuel the organizations doing the heavy lifting in Knox and Waldo counties. We provide funding for both program-specific and operational needs, recognizing that the “behind-the-scenes” work is often what makes the biggest difference.

As part of this year’s grant cycle, we will again offer a LEARN@UMC workshop mid-month: an Open Q&A with members of the Grant Committee for organizations preparing for the 2026 Competitive Grant Call. For more information or to register, please email admin@unitedmidcoastcharities.org.

Is your organization eligible? We invite 501(c)(3) nonprofits and community groups to apply if their mission aligns with our four core pillars:

• Food: Ensuring no one in our region goes hungry.
• Housing: Supporting safe, stable, and affordable shelter.
• Health & Safety: Promoting physical and mental well-being.
• Economic Security: Helping individuals and families build a stable financial future.

Important Dates:

• March 1:The application portal opens
• March 11:Q&A with Grants Committee Members 9-10:30 a.m.
• March 31: Grants Application must be submitted by 5:00 p.m.

To review our full guidelines—including a list of non-funded activities like capital campaigns and endowments—please visit our grant application page.