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In keeping with our mission to support Midcoast Maine nonprofits through finance and guidance, United Midcoast Charities announced a new fund and other steps they are taking in response to the coronavirus crisis here in our Midcoast community.

Rapid Response Fund
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, UMC has established a Rapid Response Fund. 100% of all donations received will go out as support for local nonprofits that are meeting the immediate needs of individuals seeking help in Knox and Waldo counties. The Fund is intended to provide stopgap support and anticipates the likelihood that local nonprofits will find themselves under-resourced to serve a growing demand for their services. Donations are now being accepted toward this fund at https://unitedmidcoastcharities.org/covid-19-response/.

Information for nonprofits in need of Rapid Response funding will be available soon on this website.

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:

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.”

The United Way has released a report illustrating where our country is, despite a reduction in unemployment since the 2008 recession ended.

2018 Applications to UMC’s Grants Program reflect the same reality that is illustrated in this study – even working families can’t afford the basics, right here in Midcoast Maine! We are currently reviewing nearly 60 applications in our four focus areas that are asking for more than $700,000 of support to address the needs of our friends and neighbors.

You can help right now in our local area by making a donation – 100% of donations go toward our Grants Program.

United Midcoast Charities (UMC) has received a gold seal on its nonprofit profile at GuideStar, a leading source of information about nonprofit organizations.

The gold seal, which recognizes a commitment to transparency, places UMC in the top five percent of nonprofit organizations listed on GuideStar’s website. UMC’s GuideStar profile shares in-depth information about its goals, strategies, capabilities and progress. The organization’s recently released Annual Report is another example of a renewed commitment to transparency.

“Our dedication to transparency means we are open about our finances and our decision-making process,” says UMC President John Viehman. “Responsible stewardship and accountability are essential to everything we do.”