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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.

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.

This December, United Midcoast Charities was thrilled to see a longtime tradition take new shape with our reimagined 12 Days of Giving. Expanding our former Day of Giving created more opportunities to shop local, give local, and support the Midcoast nonprofits and neighbors who rely on a strong community safety net.

Twenty-six local businesses participated, each giving back in their own way — from donating a portion of sales to matching customer gifts and offering special promotions. A big thank-you to The Green Store in Belfast, which kicked things off by donating 32% of sales during its anniversary weekend, and to all our partners who kept the momentum going throughout the event.

We’re deeply grateful to every participating business, every customer who chose to shop local, and our generous 12 Days of Giving sponsor, Allen Insurance & Financial. Together, you helped strengthen our local economy while supporting food access, housing stability, health and safety, and economic security across Knox and Waldo Counties.

And we’re not stopping there — in 2026, we’re expanding to 25 Days of Giving, opening the door to even more local businesses and even more community impact.

Thank you to the local participating businesses and to everyone who shopped locally, helping strengthen the local economy and support our community during the 12 Days of Giving.

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.

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.