During 15th Anniversary of Community Matters More, Bangor Savings Bank Foundation Announces Nonprofit Grant Recipients

Published on : 4/11/2022

Bangor, ME: Environmental protection, food security, and crisis support – these are examples of the important services offered by the Maine and New Hampshire based nonprofits selected by the public to receive grant awards through the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation’s 2022 Community Matters More program.

With thousands of community votes shared, a total of $158,000 will be awarded across 45 nonprofit organizations in 11 regions throughout Maine and New Hampshire. The organization with the highest number of votes in each region will receive a $5,000 grant. Runners up and write-in winners will receive grant awards ranging from $1,000-$4,000.

As the signature program of the Bank’s Foundation, Community Matters More aims to highlight local nonprofits that are positively impacting their Maine and New Hampshire communities. It does so by inviting residents of these communities to decide the grant winners through a public vote.  

“Community Matters More remains a truly grassroots program that is guided by community input. It’s wonderful to see our community members voice their support of so many deserving nonprofits,” said Bob Montgomery-Rice, President and CEO of Bangor Savings Bank. “We’re proud to continue supporting these nonprofits so that they can further contribute to the economic vitality and common good of the communities in which we live, work, and raise our families.”

In honor of its 15 year anniversary, the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation also awarded a one-time special grant of $15,000 to the organization that garnered the most overall votes. That winner is Sarah’s House of Maine, an organization that provides temporary lodging in a comfortable environment for cancer patients and their caregivers.

“Sarah’s House is truly honored to be a grant recipient of the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation Community Matters More program.  As a privately funded organization, donations like this mean so much,” said Delores Landry, Executive Director of Sarah’s House of Maine.

“We are a nine-bedroom cancer hospitality house providing a clean, comfortable home away from home for more than 500 guests and their caregivers to date, who have traveled to the area for their cancer treatments.  We have saved our guests more than one million miles of travel already!  Like every home, there are always needs. This year’s projects include a new roof on part of the house and repairs to the parking area.  With costs of everything increasing, this will certainly help. We appreciate the opportunities this donation provides and are extremely grateful to all of those who voted for us.”

The 2022 Community Matters More grant recipients are:
Androscoggin/Franklin/Oxford Counties
Franklin Animal Shelter ($5,000) / Center for Wisdom’s Women ($4,000) / Androscoggin Land Trust ($3,000) / Greater Androscoggin Humane Society ($1,000 Write-in Winner)
 
Aroostook/Northern Penobscot/Piscataquis Counties
PAWS of Milo Penquis Animal Welfare Sanctuary ($5,000) / Millinocket Memorial Library – Gear Library ($4,000) / Greenville Junction Depot Friends ($3,000) / Halfway Home Pet Rescue ($1,000 Write-in Winner)
 
Cumberland County
Make-A-Wish Maine ($5,000) / WinterKids ($4,000) / Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maine ($3,000) / MSSPA Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals ($1,000 Write-in Winner)
 
Hancock/Washington Counties
Hancock County SPCA ($5,000) / Camp CaPella ($4,000) / Downeast Horizons ($3,000) / Bagaduce River Equine Rescue ($1,000 Write-in Winner)
 
Kennebec/Somerset Counties
Humane Society Waterville Area ($5,000) / Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Center ($4,000) / Augusta Food Bank ($3,000) / Jackman Region Community Association ($1,000 Write-in Winner)
 
Knox/Lincoln/Sagadahoc/Waldo Counties
Knox County Homeless Coalition ($5,000), Caring for Kids ($4,000), Neighbor’s Cupboard ($3,000), Window Dressers ($1,000 Write-in Winner)
 
Southern Penobscot County
Bangor Area Homeless Shelter ($5,000) / Eastern Area Agency on Aging ($4,000) / Courageous Steps Project ($3,000 Write-in Winner) / Bangor Humane Society ($1,000 Write-in Winner)
 
York County
Center for Wildlife ($5,000) / Rett’s Roost ($4,000) / Special Surfers ($3,000 Write-in Winner) / Foundation4Love ($1,000)
 
Coos/Carroll/Grafton Counties
Coos Animal Sanctuary ($5,000) / Warriors at 45 North ($4,000) / Child Advocacy Center of Coos County ($3,000) / Weathervane Theatre ($1,000 Write-in Winner)
 
Belknap/Cheshire/Hillsborough/Merrimack/Sullivan Counties
Animal Rescue League of NH ($5,000) / Granite State Dog Recovery ($4,000 Write-in Winner) / Building Dreams for Marines ($3,000) / Friends Program ($1,000)
 
Rockingham/Strafford Counties
Seacoast Youth Services ($5,000) / Gundalow Company ($4,000) / Portsmouth Historical Society ($3,000) / Our Place Inc. ($1,000 Write-in Winner)