P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center, in Camden, Humane Society of Knox County, in Rockland, and Midcoast Humane, in Edgecomb, are among recipients of a $100,000 grant from Maine Community Foundation.

The Maine organizations, which support animal welfare, have been awarded $110,000 in grants as part of the Foundation’s COVID-19 crisis response.

“These 16 grants support animal shelters, humane societies, and pet rescue and adoption services across the state that are responding to increased demand for pet food and supplies, increased surrenders and need for sheltering due to the virus, and increased need for financial support for medical needs,” said Director of Grantmaking Laura Lee, in a news release. A complete list is available at www.maine.org.

MaineCF coordinated with the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation to support animal welfare organizations statewide, with all 16 Maine counties represented. The Sewall Foundation supports work in Maine to improve the well-being of people, animals and the environment while fostering relationships that strive for social equity and community resilience.

MaineCF also is accepting grant applications now for the Animal Welfare Fund from Maine organizations that address population control for cats and dogs. The deadline for applications is June 1, 2020. For application, guidelines and a complete list of 2019 grants, go to www.mainecf.org.

The Animal Welfare Fund awarded $156,373 in grants to 13 nonprofits in 2019. Priorities for applicants should include addressing cat overpopulation, having clearly defined goals and strategies to measure progress, programs with potential to positively impact the community or the organization, and sustainability after MaineCF funding ends. Strong preference is given to applicants who offer special or discounted programs to low-income pet owners.

An anonymous donor established the Animal Welfare Fund in 2007. It is further supported by the Doree Taylor Charitable Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., and the George F. Lyman and Ernestine Lyman Trust. Since its launching, the fund has made nearly $1.3 million in grants to 42 nonprofit organizations in Maine. 

For more information, visit www.mainecf.org or contact Program Officer John Ochira at 1-877-700-6800 or jochira@mainecf.org.

Headquartered in Ellsworth, with additional personnel in Portland, Dover-Foxcroft, and Mars Hill, the Maine Community Foundation works with donors and other partners to provide strong investments, personalized service, local expertise, and strategic giving to improve the quality of life for all Maine people. To learn more about the foundation, visit www.mainecf.org.

2020 Grants

Grants made as part of COVID-19 response:

• Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland: $10,000
• Animal Welfare Society Inc., Kennebunk: $10,000
• Another Chance Animal Rescue, North Berwick: $3,000
• Bangor Humane Society: $10,000
• Center for Wildlife Health Research, Freeport: $3,000
• Community Cat Advocates Inc., Buckfield: $3,000
• Franklin County Animal Shelter, Farmington: $10,000
• Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, Lewiston: $10,000
• Halfway Home Pet Rescue Inc., Caribou: $10,000
• Homeless Animal Rescue Team of Maine, Inc., Cumberland: $1,000
• Humane Society of Knox County, Rockland: $10,000
• Midcoast Humane, Edgecomb: $10,000
• P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center, Camden: $4,000
• Responsible Pet Care of Oxford Hills Inc., South Paris: $3,000
• Somerset Humane Society, Skowhegan: $10,000
• Spirits Place, St. Albans: $3,000