The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation Awards Grants to Northern New England Nonprofits

Published on : 3/7/2023

Bangor, ME (March 7, 2023): The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation awarded more than $88,000 to 20 Maine and New Hampshire nonprofit organizations that enrich their communities through critical social and civic services, educational programming, health and wellness resources, and more.

These nonprofit grant recipients provide diverse services and programs to help build strong, healthy communities. Examples of the community impact these organizations make include connecting students to the environment, farming to provide organic vegetables for those in need, providing literacy and drivers’ education programs for immigrants and refugees, and creating community spaces and events for all to enjoy.

“The directors of The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation deeply respect and appreciate the incredible commitment, resourcefulness, and passion these organizations demonstrate to making their communities more vibrant,” said Joyce Clark-Sarnacki, chairperson of The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation. “Each has a specific mission but a common goal, and that is to strengthen avenues for support, growth, and connection in creating something better.”

The Southwest Harbor - Tremont Ambulance Service received a $4,700 grant to provide the ambulance service in Southwest Harbor, Maine with modern, efficient intravenous (IV) pumps. Started in World War 1 as a Ladies Aid service for overseas troops, the Ambulance Service has evolved to provide “emergency medical services by community members for their community.” With two well-equipped ambulances and 24/7 on-duty staff, the nonprofit offers year-round emergency medical coverage within the towns of Southwest Harbor and Tremont as well as support to neighboring towns through mutual aid agreements.

“The Ambulance Service is extremely grateful for the opportunity to apply for, and be awarded, The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation grant,” said Andrew Braley, NRP, Service Chief, Southwest Harbor - Tremont Ambulance Service. “The new IV pumps will provide a significant upgrade in our ability to treat patients.”

These are the other nonprofits receiving grants, with a few examples of all recipients’ efforts to help make Northern New England communities vibrant.

 $5,000
Families in Transition
Manchester, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
Families in Transition’s mission is to prevent and break the cycle of homelessness. The organization provides dignified housing, delivers comprehensive and innovative solutions, develops collaborative relationships with clients and partners, and creates opportunities for donors and volunteers committed to making a difference where they live and work. This grant will support the Family Emergency Shelter, which provides services to families experiencing homelessness in Manchester. www.fitnh.org

$5,000
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
East Boothbay, Lincoln County, Maine
From the Arctic to the Antarctic, Bigelow Laboratory scientists use innovative approaches to study the foundation of global ocean health and unlock its potential to improve the future for all life on Earth. This grant will be used to support the Keller BLOOM (Bigelow Laboratory Orders of Magnitude) Program which gives students hands-on ocean science research experience. The grant will provide students and teachers with meaningful Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) opportunities. www.bigelow.org

$3,500
Media Power Youth
Manchester, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
Media Power Youth’s mission is to provide curricula, training, and workshops to build young people’s media literacy knowledge and critical-thinking skills through hands-on, engaging programs. Their goal is to teach youth to consume and create media safely and responsibly, reaping all its benefits while recognizing the influence it can have on their physical and mental health, decision-making and relationships. This grant will support cyberbullying educational programs for children and teens to teach online safety and strategies for healthy communication. www.mediapoweryouth.org

Additional Recipients:
Bremen Library Association I $2,500
Bremen, Lincoln County, Maine
www.bremenlibrary.org
 
Frenchman Bay Conservancy I $5,000
Hancock, Hancock County, Maine
www.frenchmanbay.org
 
Friends of Baxter State Park I $3,800
Millinocket, Penobscot County, Maine
www.friendsofbaxter.org
 
Friends of Congress Square Park I $5,000
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
www.congresssquarepark.org
 
Friends of York Dog Park I $5,000
York, York County, Maine
www.friendsofyorkdogpark.org
 
Gardiner Library Association I $2,500
Gardiner, Kennebec County, Maine
www.gardinerpubliclibrary.org
 
Growing to Give I $5,000
Brunswick, Cumberland County, Maine
www.growingtogive.farm
 
Helen S. Dunn School I $5,000
Greenbush, Penobscot County, Maine
www.hsdgreenbush.org/
 
Housing Resources for Youth I $5,000
Topsham, Cumberland County, Maine
www.housingforyouth.org
 
Islesford Boatworks I $5,000
Islesford, Hancock County, Maine
www.islesfordboatworks.org
 
Literacy Volunteers of Bangor I $5,000
Bangor, Penobscot County, Maine
www.lvbangor.org
 
Moose Mountains Regional Greenways I $5,000
Union, Strafford County, New Hampshire
www.mmrgnh.org
 
SCORE New Hampshire I $5,000
Derry, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
www.score.org/merrimackvalley
 
Second Start I $2,500
Concord, Merrimack County, New Hampshire
www.second-start.org
 
The Carpenter’s Boat Shop I $5,000
Bristol, Lincoln County, Maine
www.carpentersboatshop.org
 
Twenty-One Senses I $4,200
Madbury, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
www.twentyonesenses.org