UMC Joins Foundation Center’s Global Network
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.”
Network partners throughout the world help under-resourced and underserved populations succeed by providing them with vital information about funding sources and how to make effective grant proposals. As a Funding Information Network Partner, UMC has had staff complete training as expert Foundation Directory Online trainers. The network’s only other partners in Maine are located in Portland and Presque Isle.
Established in 1956, Foundation Center serves grantseekers, grantmakers, researchers, policymakers, the media and the general public. Thousands of people visit Foundation Center’s website each day, receive training at its five regional learning centers in the U.S. and use the services of its international network partners.
Becoming a Funding Information Network partner is a first step in the fulfillment of UMC’s goal to provide local nonprofits with resources in addition to funding. Planning is now underway for workshops and networking events in 2019, all designed to help improve the capacity of local nonprofit organizations to better serve the needs of our community.