News

Day of Giving in Belfast, Camden and Rockland to Support UMC

November 26, 2018By

The holiday spirit is thriving in the Midcoast, where businesses in the Belfast, Camden and Rockland area have set aside Saturday, December 8 to contribute to United Midcoast Charities (UMC) in support of the work of local nonprofit organizations.

Participating shops have committed to generously donate a portion of their sales to UMC, and all proceeds will be applied toward UMC’s grants – which help food pantries, health clinics, nursing services, homeless shelters and other providers of vital services in Knox and Waldo counties. The Day of Giving events are made possible through lead sponsorship from Allen Insurance & Financial and Horch Roofing with media sponsored by Courier Publications.

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UMC Executive Earns Nonprofit Management Certificate

November 9, 2018By

Megan Williams, executive director of United Midcoast Charities, has earned a certificate in nonprofit management through the Maine Association of Nonprofits in partnership with MindEdge Learning.

The online certificate program included key management topics for nonprofit organizations such as fundraising, board and volunteer development, budgeting, reading financial statements, leadership, marketing and setting strategic direction. The program offered insight into how nonprofit professionals apply key concepts in their own organizations.

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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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Kelly CareyNews

UMC Staff Earns Volunteer Management Certificate

October 15, 2018By

Kelly Carey, administrative coordinator at United Midcoast Charities, recently earned the novice Certificate in Volunteer Management from the Maine Commission for Community Service. This course is designed to equip managers of volunteers with the core competencies needed to adaptively and effectively use volunteers to accomplish a nonprofit mission.

“UMC is excited to implement the skills Kelly gained in its mission to energize and support Midcoast Maine nonprofit agencies with guidance and resources in addition to grants,” said Megan Williams, executive director of UMC.

The commission is built upon the conviction that volunteer service is a key part of thriving communities. The 22 core competencies covered in this certificate were developed in a two-year partnership between the Commission for Public Service and the University of Southern Maine Muskie School of Public Service, and was the first of its kind in the United States.

Information on upcoming offerings of the training can be found at VolunteerMaine.org.

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2018 Unsung Hero Awardee, Kathy BeckAgency Events

United Midcoast Charities Awards $500K in Grants at Community Celebration

September 20, 2018By

We are pleased to announce our 2018 grant awards of $500,000 to more than 40 nonprofit organizations in Knox and Waldo counties. A community celebration, “Grants and Dance,” marked the occasion on Sep. 20 at the Rockport Opera House, where an awards ceremony was followed by dancing to music provided by The Right Track.

Highlights of the event included the announcement of the first “Unsung Hero Award,” given to Kathy Beck of Rockland, a long-time volunteer at the Knox Clinic in Rockland. UMC board members, grant recipients and others in attendance offered Beck their warm congratulations and a hearty round of applause. The award was a cooperative effort between Courier Publications and United Midcoast Charities.

United Midcoast Charities’ grants in 2018 were given in four focus areas, based on UMC’s new strategic plan: Food, Housing, Health & Safety and Economic Security. A complete list of 2018 grant recipients in each focus area is available here.

This community celebration was made possible with support from the following sponsors: Bangor Savings Bank, Grasshopper Shop of Rockland, McLean Borden Cottage, O’Hara Corporation, Café Miranda and media sponsor Village Soup/Courier Publications.

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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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