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UMC Hosts Successful Volunteer Recruitment Expo

March 17, 2025By Eileen McGuigan

On Tuesday, March 11 United Midcoast Charities brought the community together for its Volunteer Recruitment Expo at the Flanagan Center in Rockland. Community members interested in volunteering were greeted by representatives from dozens of local organizations looking for support. Attendees explored how their passions and skills could best align with volunteer opportunities while engaging directly with representatives who were there to answer their questions.

“A big thanks to UMC for arranging the Volunteer Expo,” said Alan Kearl, Executive Director – AIO Food and Energy Assistance. “For some people, it is too intimidating to call or to walk into AIO off the street. The Volunteer Expo created a level playing field where community members could learn about several possible places to volunteer in a common space without the pressure of committing to volunteer at any one before they are ready. “

Beyond connecting with the community, participating businesses benefited from the rare chance to network with their peers, fostering collaboration and camaraderie. The energy of having everyone gathered in the same space made the event a tremendous success for all involved. So successful, in fact, that UMC has already begun the planning of a Waldo County Volunteer Expo. Stay tuned for more details!

Thank you to our event sponsors, The City of Rockland, 106.9 Frank FM, and 105.5 The Wolf.

Check out a short video of the expo here!

Giving out grants at the grantee breakfast

UMC Grant Application Window Open March 1 – March 31

February 28, 2025By Eileen McGuigan

United Midcoast Charities (UMC) is excited to announce our annual grant application window opens on March 1. Nonprofit organizations serving the residents of Knox and Waldo County in the areas of food, housing, health and safety, and economic security are invited to apply.

“I’m honored to be stepping into the role of Grant Committee Chair at such a pivotal time,” said Larrain Slaymaker, the newly appointed chair of UMC’s Grant Committee. “We’re eagerly looking forward to receiving applications from organizations dedicated to making a real difference in our community. Our drive remains steadfast—to support initiatives that provide essential services, drive positive change, and enhance the quality of life for Knox and Waldo County residents.”

For nonprofits planning to apply for a UMC grant this year, you are invited to attend a Q&A with UMC staff and members of our Grants Committee at our Camden office on March 12 from 9-10:30am. Registration is required as space is limited. Please email admin@unitedmidcoastcharities.org to register.

The application window closes at 5:00 p.m. on March 31, so make sure to submit by then. Visit unitedmidcoastcharities.org/apply-for-a-grant/ for more details and to apply.

Baking for a Better World

June 27, 2024By Becca Gildred

Three Camden Rockport Middle Schoolers baked numerous tasty treats and held a bake sale in Camden over the weekend. They raised more than $200 through their bake sale to support long-time United Midcoast Charities grantees Midcoast Habitat for Humanity, Homeworthy and AIO Food & Energy Assistance.

This was part of their 7th grade “Solutionaries Project”, a project based learning collaboration between Social Studies and Language Arts classes and required students to think critically about the problems they face in the world and what they can do to solve them. Students did research around challenges that were connected to their own personal values and then narrowed in on one specific problem they wanted to focus on. From there they researched causes and impacts of that problem and met with local stakeholders and experts to brainstorm possible solutions. It is great to see these young change makers in action!

News

United Midcoast Charities Welcomes New Executive Director

May 24, 2024By Becca Gildred

CAMDEN, Maine – UMC announces the hiring of Becca Gildred as executive director, effective April 1. Becca brings a wealth of experience in the nonprofit world. For the last 8 years she was Chief Development Officer of Knox County Homeless Coalition. Becca comes with a wealth of knowledge in development, fundraising, marketing, communications, grant writing, and public relations. These key ingredients will building upon our past successes. We look forward to become a stronger support to our partner agencies and community.

Guided by Becca’s leadership, UMC eagerly anticipates increasing funding and support to local nonprofits. Becca wholeheartedly embraces our mission and vision. She is already positively impacting the organization. We are enthusiastic about working together to further our mission and make an impact in Midcoast Maine. Welcome, Becca!

Focus Areas

2024 Grant Applications to Open at United Midcoast Charities

February 12, 2024By Rebecca Leonard

CAMDEN, Maine – UMC is pleased to announce that starting March 1, our annual grants application process begins. Nonprofit organizations providing services to Knox and Waldo County residents in UMC’s four focus areas of food, housing, health and safety, and economic security are strongly encouraged to apply. This application is the first step in UMC’s thoughtful months-long review process by the UMC Grants Committee and Board of Directors.

“As a relatively young nonprofit, we embarked on the grant application process last year with many uncertainties,” said Neva Allen, Founder & President of But Still I Am One, a Waldo County nonprofit supporting young adults ages 16-21 who are unhoused or home insecure. “The guidance and assistance we received from United Midcoast Charities proved to be invaluable. Their expertise helped us to navigate the complexities, and we were thrilled to secure a grant.”

The application window ends on March 31, so be sure to get your application in by that date. To apply, visit our website at https://unitedmidcoastcharities.org/our-grant-program/apply-for-a-grant/. If you have any questions, please give us a call at 207-236-2299.

Events

United Midcoast Charities’ Annual “Day of Giving” Sets New Record!

December 15, 2023By Rebecca Leonard

CAMDEN – United Midcoast Charities’ annual “Day of Giving” was held this past Saturday, December 9, and a record-setting 88 local retailers and restaurants from Thomaston to Belfast donated part of the day’s proceeds to support more than 40 agencies in Knox and Waldo counties providing essential services in UMC’s focus areas of food, housing, health and safety, and economic security. Thanks to the support of sponsors, participating retailers, and community members who came out in droves, UMC’s grants program will continue to grow and thrive in the new year!

“As a locally owned family business operating since 1975, we take pride in being able to support the local community,” said Sierra Dietz, owner of The Grasshopper Shops and longtime supporter of Day of Giving. “UMC provides incredible assistance for so many area nonprofits and we are happy to be able to support the work they are doing.“

Focus Areas

United Midcoast Charities Announces 42 Grant Recipients for 2023

September 13, 2023By Rebecca Leonard

CAMDEN— September 13, 2023 – United Midcoast Charities has awarded grants totaling $597,000 to 42 agencies providing the basic needs of food, housing, health & safety, and economic security to residents of Knox and Waldo counties.

“We’re beyond proud to be supporting local nonprofits for more than 81 years,” said UMC President John Viehman, “and this year thanks to the generosity of our donors we increased our grantmaking by 20 percent over last year. Plus we’ll also be able once again to fully fund our Urgent Needs Grants. That means there will be reserve funding for needs that arise outside our annual grants cycle.”

UMC’s board of directors announced the grant awards at a celebratory breakfast sponsored by the Samoset Resort on September 12.

In congratulating the recipients, Viehman remarked, “It’s always inspiring to see so many agencies gathered together in one place and to feel the exponential impact they have on our friends and neighbors in need here in the Midcoast!”

This year’s recipients grouped by focus area include:

FOOD

AIO Food Pantry
Belfast Soup Kitchen
Come Spring Food Pantry
Knox County Gleaners
MCH Inc. – Meals on Wheels
No Greater Love Food Pantry
St. Bernard Soup Kitchen

HOUSING

Family Promise of Midcoast Maine
Knox County Homeless Coalition
Midcoast Habitat for Humanity
Midcoast Recovery Coalition

HEALTH & SAFETY

American Red Cross
Belfast Public Health Nursing
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Camden Area District Nursing
Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers
Coastal Opportunities
Finding Our Voices
Knox Clinic
Maine Youth Alliance – Game Loft
Maine Family Planning
Maine HealthCare at Home
New Hope Midcoast
Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County
OUT Maine
Rockland District Nursing Association
Sexual Assault Support Services
Soap Closet
Southern Harbor Eldercare Services
Spectrum Generations
The Beacon Project
Waldo County Dental Care
Waldo County Woodshed

ECONOMIC SECURITY

Belfast Area Child Care Services
But Still I Am One
Penobscot Bay YMCA
Penquis CAP – DVIP
Trekkers, Inc.
Waldo CAP
Waldo County YMCA
Waterman’s Community Center
Wayfinder Schools

News

UMC Awards $500,000 in Grants to 39 Local Agencies

September 19, 2022By Rebecca Leonard

CAMDEN—In its 80^th year, the Board of United Midcoast Charities announced this year’s grants will provide $500,000 to 39 agencies providing the basic needs of food, housing, health & safety, and economic security to residents here in Knox and Waldo counties.

“Thanks to the strong support from our donors,” said UMC President John Viehman, “we not only reached our grantmaking goal, we’ll also be able to fully fund our Urgent Needs Grants. That means there will be reserve funding for needs that arise outside our annual grants cycle.”

A celebratory breakfast sponsored by The Samoset Resort is scheduled in early September. Viehman adds, “It’s inspiring to see so many agencies gathered together in one place and to feel the exponential impact they have on our friends and neighbors in need here in the Midcoast!”

This year’s recipients grouped by focus area include:

FOOD

AIO Food Pantry

Belfast Soup Kitchen

Come Spring Food Pantry

Knox County Gleaners

MCH Inc. – Meals on Wheels

No Greater Love Food Pantry

St. Bernard’s Soup Kitchen

The Kindness Programs

HOUSING

Coastal Opportunities

Knox County Homeless Coalition

Midcoast Habitat for Humanity

Midcoast Recovery Coalition

HEALTH & SAFETY

Belfast Public Health Nursing

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Camden Area District Nursing

Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers

Finding Our Voices

Knox Clinic

Maine Youth Alliance – Game Loft

Maine Family Planning

Maine Healthcare At Home

New Hope Midcoast

Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County

OUT Maine

Rockland District Nursing Association

Sexual Assault Support Services

Soap Closet

Waldo County Dental Care

Waldo County Woodshed

ECONOMIC SECURITY

Belfast Area Child Care Services

Penobscot Bay YMCA

Penquis CAP- Head Start

Restorative Justice Project

Trekkers, Inc.

University of Maine at Augusta Rockland

Waldo CAP

Waldo County YMCA

Waterman’s Community Center

Wayfinder Schools

Founded in 1942, UMC energizes Midcoast Maine nonprofits through finance and guidance, supporting a network of resources stronger than any single organization. UMC’s primary focus areas are food, housing, health & safety, and economic security. Learn more about United Midcoast Charities by visiting www.unitedmidcoastcharities.org or call 207-236-2299.

Events

75+ Local Businesses Support “Day Of Giving”

January 24, 2022By Becca Gildred

The Annual Day of Giving on Saturday, December 18 showcased more than 75 area businesses who, in partnership with United Midcoast Charities, supported dozens of Midcoast nonprofits in Knox and Waldo Counties.

Residents who still needed to do their holiday shopping or enjoy a Yuletide meal visited these community-minded retailers and restaurants in Camden, Rockland, Rockport, Belfast, Thomaston, Lincolnville and Northport.

“This is a fun day to shop and dine locally while paying it forward at the same time,” explained UMC’s Executive Director John Viehman. “UMC provides vital funding to more than 50 Midcoast nonprofits who provide the most basic needs of food, housing, health and safety, and economic security here in our communities. We are grateful to the many local retailers and restaurants making a contribution or donating part of their day’s proceeds to UMC’s Grant Program during this holiday season. As always, 100 percent of all donations go directly to the local nonprofits we support.”

Area Businesses participating in UMC’s December 18th’s Day of Giving were:

BELFAST: All about Games, Belfast Co-op, Brambles, City Drawers, Colburn’s Shoe Store, Heavenly Yarns, Left Bank Books, Out on A Whimsy Toys, Rollie’s/Rollie’s Remote Catering, Second Hand Eve, The Good Table, The Porch, and Vinolio

NORTHPORT: Maine Alpaca Experience

LINCOLNVILLE: The Red Cottage

CAMDEN/ROCKPORT: Antiques@10 Mechanic, Carver Hill Gallery, Leonard’s, Maine Seaside Treasures, Once A Tree, Planet Toys, Seadog Brewing Company, Serendipity Fine Consignment, Small Wonder Gallery, Sugar Tools, The Leather Bench, Uncle Willy’s Candy Shoppe, Zoot Coffee, RAYR and The Wine & Cheese Shop

ROCKLAND: Clan MacLaren, Flowers by Hoboken, fourTwelve, Grasshopper Shop, hellohello Books, Huston Tuttle, In Good Company, Loyal Biscuit, Main Street Markets, Primo Restaurant, Rock City Cafe, Seagull Cottage, Side Country Sports, and The Wine Seller

THOMASTON: FlipSide Coffee, and Coastal Mountain Chiro