Island Institute has awarded $214,000 in Glenn Fund Community Impact Grants to 56 projects advancing climate solutions, economic opportunity, and community resilience across Maine’s coast and islands.

This year’s awards reflect the grit, ingenuity, and determination of people who live and work in Maine’s island and coastal communities. In Gouldsboro, Springtide Seaweed will pilot a solar-powered nursery for kelp cultivation. On Islesboro, funding will support climate adaptation planning for a vulnerable stretch of road known as The Narrows—an essential lifeline for residents that is prone to flooding.

“Island Institute’s Community Impact Fund supports coastal changemakers—early career professionals, small business owners, town leaders, and fishermen—as they transform bold ideas into meaningful impact,” said Kimberly Hamilton, Ph.D., president of Island Institute. “We’re proud to help these leaders who bring lasting value to Maine’s coast.”

Established in 2017 through a generous grant from The Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation, the Glenn Fund has provided nearly $2 million to small businesses and community projects. From pandemic relief for small businesses in 2020 to storm recovery for working waterfronts in 2024, the Fund supports the long-term vitality of Maine’s island and coastal communities.

This year’s Glenn Fund Community Impact Grant awards include:

Marine Innovation Grants

• Brunswick, ME – Maine Ocean Farms LLC, Dingley Cove Oysters
• Cumberland, ME – Fishing Vessel Josey Wales LLC
• Yarmouth, ME – Madeleine Point Oyster Farms, The Boat Yard LLC, Casco Bay Mooring
• Prospect Harbor, ME – Bottom Line Fisheries, Inc.
• Brooksville, ME – Tapley Cove Oyster Company
• Georgetown, ME – Eros Oyster
• Stonington, ME – Redde Marine Safety, Deer Isle Oyster Company
• Falmouth, ME – Beso Del Mar Oyster Company
• Freeport, ME – Love Point Oysters
• Pemaquid, ME – Pemaquid Fisherman’s Wharf
• Wiscasset, ME – The World Is Your Oyster
• Gouldsboro, ME – Springtide Seaweed LLC
• North Haven, ME – North Haven Oyster Co.

Early Professional Workforce Grants

• Deer Isle, ME – Harrison Boyce, Kianna Heanssler, Jonathan Parker
• Stonington, ME – Project Launch, Madison Eaton
• Long Island, ME – Emeline Avignon
• Islesboro, ME – Eva Marie Olson
• North Haven, ME – Caden Cabot, Jack Ames, Quinton Spence
• Sunset, ME – Grace McGuire
• Thomaston, ME – Charlotte Strong-Ames
• Isle au Haut, ME – Lilyanna Sollberger
• Vinalhaven, ME – Aidan Hoffses 

Fishing Diversification Grants

• Addison, ME – Anonymous, Schoppee Fisheries
• Islesford, ME – NSPhilbrook, Richard Howland Lobster
• Monhegan, ME – Chum Again Charters, Anonymous
• Vinalhaven, ME – Anonymous
• Phippsburg, ME – Lawrence Pye
• Brunswick, ME – New Meadows River Shellfish Cooperative
• Tenants Harbor, ME – Tenants Harbor Fishermen’s Co-op
• Prospect Harbor, ME – Bottom Line Fisheries, Inc.
• Swan’s Island, ME – Jason Joyce Inc.
• Nobleboro, ME – Morning Star Fisheries, LLC 

Island Institute Fellows Community Impact Grants

• Monhegan, ME – Monhegan Plantation (Monhegan Wharf)
• Ellsworth, ME – Hancock County Planning Commission
• Blue Hill, ME – Brooklin Climate Response Committee
• Deer Isle, ME – Deer Isle Adult and Community Education (DIACE)
• Swan’s Island, ME – Swan's Island Educational Society
• St. George, ME – Town of St. George
• Peaks Island, ME – Home Start 

Community Climate Planning Grants

• Islesboro, ME – Town of Islesboro
• Matinicus Island, ME – Matinicus Isle Plantation
• Tremont, ME – Town of Tremont
• Isle au Haut, ME – Town of Isle au Haut
• Peaks Island, ME – Peaks Environmental Action Team

Learn more about Island Institute’s Community Impact Fund at www.islandinstitute.org/solutions/community-impact-fund.

Island Institute is a nonprofit organization, based in Rockland, Maine, that boldly navigates climate and economic change with island and coastal communities to expand opportunities and deliver solutions. For more information, visit islandinstitute.org.