Published on : 7/9/2024
Bangor, ME: The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded over $191,000 in grants to 23 non-profit organizations across Northern New England. These grants support various initiatives, from education and housing to food security and community development, reflecting the Foundation’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the communities it serves.“These organizations deliver educational opportunities, drive economic growth, and enhance community well-being in Northern New England," said Bob Montgomery-Rice, President and CEO of Bangor Savings Bank. "The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation proudly supports initiatives important to our employees, customers, and communities, as well as our local economy.”
Among the recipients is the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. The organization's innovative research spans the Arctic to the Antarctic, focusing on blue biotechnology, ocean biogeochemistry, and climate change. The $5,500 grant award will support the Keller BLOOM (Bigelow Laboratory Orders Of Magnitude) student program and the BLOOM Educators program, inspiring Maine high school students to pursue careers in STEM and equipping teachers with skills to deliver meaningful marine experiences. The Keller BLOOM Program is a one-week immersive experience for Maine high school juniors. At the same time, the BLOOM Educators workshop enhances the ocean science curriculum for middle and high school teachers.
Other grant recipients include:
$5,500
Step Up Parents
Portsmouth, Statewide, NH
Step Up Parents provides financial assistance and support to kinship caregivers who are raising children due to the biological parents' struggles with substance use disorder. Founded in 2019, the organization helps grandparents and relatives who have stepped up to care for these children. Their mission is to ensure these caregivers have the necessary resources to provide a stable and loving environment.
The grant will help provide direct programming assistance to 120 families and caregivers who have stepped up to raise the children of parents struggling with substance use disorder.
$10,000
Tedford Housing
Brunswick, Cumberland County, ME
Tedford Housing is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people transition from homelessness to stable housing. They provide emergency shelters for adults and families, supportive housing, and homeless prevention services. Tedford Housing also offers case management to ensure clients have access to necessary health, human, and community services. Their mission is to ensure everyone in Southern Mid Coast Maine has a safe, affordable home.
The grant will help furnish the Community Room at Tedford's new shelter facility, which will allow guests and outside partners to gather indoors for educational and therapeutic activities, including technology training, career development, arts and crafts, and language support.
$250,000 ($50,000 per year, over five years)
The Roux Institute at Northeastern University
Portland, Statewide, ME
Northeastern University's Roux Institute is a graduate campus and research center focused on innovation, talent development, and economic growth in Maine and the Northeast. It offers computer and data science, digital engineering, and advanced life sciences programs and partners with industry, academia, and government to drive research and education. The Roux Institute aims to build talent pipelines and foster a vibrant community, contributing to Maine's economic development.
The grant will help support a makerspace facility on the Roux Institute’s new campus, driving innovation and growth for Maine through education, training, venture funding, and research.
Additional Grant Recipients Include:
$5,500
Arts in Reach
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, NH
$7,500
Boothbay Region YMCA
Boothbay Harbor, Lincoln County, ME
$5,500
Children’s Center
Augusta, Kennebec County, ME
$5,500
The Community Caring Collaborative
East Machias, Washington County, ME
$7,000
DownEast Wood Bank
Blue Hill, Hancock County ME
$7,500
Fair Tide
Kittery, York County, ME
$5,500
Give a Dog a Home Rescue
Sebec, Piscataquis County, ME
$5,500
Habitat for Humanity York County
Kennebunk, York County, ME
$5,500
Junior Achievement of Maine
Portland, Statewide, ME
$5,500
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry
Ellsworth, Hancock County, ME
$7,500
Maine Immigrant & Refugee Services
Lewiston, Androscoggin County, ME
$5,500
Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County
Manchester, Hillsborough County, NH
$5,500
Med-Care Ambulance
Mexico, Oxford County, ME
$5,500
Seacoast Community School
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, NH
$5,500
Spectrum Generations
Augusta, Kennebec County, ME
$5,500
The Friendly Kitchen
Concord, Merrimack County, NH
$7,500
VOA Northern New England
Brunswick, Statewide, ME
$7,500
Wayfinder Schools
Camden, Statewide, ME
$7,500
YMCA of Auburn-Lewiston
Auburn, Androscoggin County, ME
About Bangor Savings Bank:
Bangor Savings Bank, with over $7 billion in assets, offers retail banking, business and comprehensive commercial banking, payment and corporate services, HR and payroll technologies and merchant solutions. Wealth management, investment, and financial planning services are offered through Bangor Wealth Management, a division of Bangor Savings Bank, and Bangor Wealth Management of New Hampshire, LLC, a New Hampshire trust company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Bangor Savings Bank. Investment information can be found at www.bangor.com/investments.
Headquartered in Bangor, Maine, the Bank was founded in 1852 and is in its 172nd year, and currently has 69 branches in Maine and New Hampshire and business and/or loan production offices in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Bangor Savings Bank and The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation invested more than $3.5 million into the region through sponsorships, grants, and partnership initiatives last year. Bangor Savings Bank is an equal opportunity employer. To learn more, please visit us at www.bangor.com. Neither Bangor Savings Bank nor its affiliates offer tax, accounting, or legal services. Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender.
Media Contact:
Jaclyn Fish
Bangor Savings Bank
207.974.2555
Jaclyn.Fish@Bangor.co