Events

Christopher Beebe Receives 2025 Award for Philanthropic Excellence

September 22, 2025By

United Midcoast Charities Presents Award for Philanthropic Excellence to Christopher Beebe at Rising Tide Party

United Midcoast Charities (UMC) presented its 2025 Award for Philanthropic Excellence to Christopher Beebe during its annual Rising Tide Party, held Thursday, August 21, at the Sail, Power & Steam Museum Boathouse in Rockland. The event welcomed community members, donors, and nonprofit partners for an evening celebrating the strength of local philanthropy and the impact of collective giving.

The award presentation was one of several moments that highlighted the generosity of the Midcoast community. Beebe was honored for his lifelong commitment to civic engagement and philanthropy. A consistent and trusted advocate for the region, he served on UMC’s board of directors for nine years, concluding his term in December 2024, and has long been recognized as a Community Champion. His support spans decades and has impacted thousands across the Midcoast.

As co-founder of Steel-Pro in Rockland, Beebe helped grow the company into a nationally respected manufacturer of custom stainless-steel products. In 2014, he transitioned the business to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), ensuring its continued success would benefit local employees. Alongside his late wife, Charlotte, he made a transformative gift to establish the Charlotte and Christopher Beebe Health Center at Pen Bay Medical Center, expanding access to primary care and pediatric services for thousands of Midcoast residents.

“Christopher Beebe embodies the spirit of community philanthropy,” said Jim Hengerer, Board Chair of United Midcoast Charities. “His generosity and quiet leadership have helped shape the Midcoast in lasting ways. We’re proud to recognize his legacy as part of an evening that celebrates the power of giving.”

Looking ahead, UMC will open up the nomination process for the Award for Philanthropic Excellence to the broader Midcoast community beginning in January 2026. This new approach will invite public participation in recognizing individuals whose generosity strengthens life in Knox and Waldo counties—ensuring the award reflects the voices and values of the region.

The Rising Tide Party was made possible thanks to the generous support of Cellardoor Winery, Maine State Credit Union, Bangor Savings Bank, Machias Savings Bank, Front Street Shipyard, O’Hara Corporation, and CedarWorks. Their partnership helped create a memorable evening that underscored the essential role of philanthropy in sustaining local nonprofit programs.

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News

Rapid Response Fund & Additional Support for Midcoast Nonprofits

March 20, 2020By

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.

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UMC staff Megan Williams and Kelly Carey display the 2019 Top-Rated Award.News

UMC named Top-Rated Nonprofit for Third Year

December 11, 2019By

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:

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UMC's 2019 GranteesNews

United Midcoast Charities Awards 2019 Grants

September 24, 2019By

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.”

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UMC Earns Second Gold Seal for Transparency

April 30, 2019By

United Midcoast Charities has recently earned a 2019 gold seal of transparency from GuideStar, a leading source of information about nonprofit organizations.

The gold seal, which UMC earned in 2018 and again this year, places UMC in the top .05% of nonprofit organizations listed on GuideStar’s website. UMC’s GuideStar profile shares in-depth information about the organization’s goals, strategies, capabilities and progress. UMC’s recently released annual report is another example of the organization’s values of integrity, transparency, responsibility and service in action, said UMC Executive Director Megan Williams.

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Wes Todd searches for grants for MCH, Inc. at UMC's office.News

UMC Joins Foundation Center’s Global Network

October 26, 2018By

UMC Now Provides Resources for Local Grantseekers

Nonprofit organizations and other grantseekers in Midcoast Maine now have access to a valuable new collection of resources at United Midcoast Charities.

In response to feedback from UMC’s Nonprofit Advisory Council and thanks to support from a generous donor, UMC has become a Funding Information Network partner with Foundation Center, the leading source of information about philanthropy worldwide.

“As a Funding Information Network partner, we can now offer organizations and individuals free access to detailed information on grantmakers and how to apply for funding,” says UMC Executive Director Megan Williams. “These resources are open to everyone, not just the agencies that receive grants from us. People can make appointments to come to UMC’s office to search Foundation Center’s three online directories of more than 140,000 U.S. grantmakers, access foundation maps and find proposal writing guides.”

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Belfast Soup KitchenNews

Staggering Statistics on Poverty in the U.S. – and It’s Happening Here, Too

June 20, 2018By

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.

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Gold-StarNews

United Midcoast Charities Earns GuideStar’s Gold Seal Rating for Transparency

June 4, 2018By

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.”

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Midcoast-Charities-Banner-2Why Give?

When It Comes to Donating Money, Whom Do You Trust?

May 17, 2018By

If you are interested in helping neighbors in need and you want help vetting your options, giving to UMC is a great choice. We do all of the work mentioned in this New York Times article – digging into financials, verifying charitable status, site visits. In fact, our Grants Committee and Board Members are out and about in Knox and Waldo counties this month doing more than 30 site visits on potential grantees! Think of UMC as your personal Philanthropy Adviser in the Midcoast.

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UMC Nonprofit Advisory CouncilFocus Areas

United Midcoast Charities Announces New Strategic Direction

February 15, 2018By

United Midcoast Charities (UMC) has announced a new strategic direction that emphasizes identifying needs and finding solutions in four focus areas addressed by local nonprofit organizations: food, housing, health & safety and economic security.

The new direction comes after an intensive two-year strategic planning process that involved UMC’s agency partners, community members, donors and others. Together, they addressed three essential questions: Is UMC needed? Is UMC’s mission still relevant? And is the organization structured to continue to serve the needs of our communities for the next 75-plus years?

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