Local nonprofits among recipients of 2026 Community Matters More grants
Four local nonprofit organizations are among the recipients of 2026 Community Matters More grants funded through Bangor Savings Bank Foundation. More than $155,000 in funds were awarded to 44 nonprofit organizations across Maine and New Hampshire.
-Maine Farmland Trust, of Belfast, was awarded a $5,000 grant.
-AIO Food & Energy Assistance, of Rockland, was awarded a $3,500 grant
-New Hope Midcoast, of Rockland, was awarded a $3,500 grant.
-Safe Harbor Sanctuary, of Brooks, was awarded a $2,500 Write-in grant.
The annual, community-driven program invited voters to help determine how funding is distributed, supporting nonprofits addressing a wide range of community needs—from access to basic necessities and housing to survivor services and veteran support.
"The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation believes in giving back to our communities, and we believe that by focusing on the needs that matter most to our neighbors and friends, we matter more in the daily lives of our fellow community members," said the Foundation, in a news release. "Congratulations to the 2026 Community Matters More grant recipients!"
$5,000 Grant Recipients
Good Shepherd Food Bank, Auburn, ME
Androscoggin/Franklin/Oxford Counties
Houlton Humane Society, Houlton, ME
Aroostook/Northern Penobscot/Piscataquis Counties
Maine Needs, Portland, ME
Cumberland County
The Messenger Animal Rescue, Harrington, ME
Hancock/Washington Counties
Skowhegan Community Food Cupboard, Skowhegan, ME
Kennebec/Somerset Counties
**Maine Farmland Trust, Belfast, ME
Knox/Lincoln/Sagadahoc/Waldo Counties
Maine Veterans Project, Bangor, ME
Southern Penobscot County
Vet2Vet Maine, Biddeford, ME
York County
45th Parallel Emergency Medical Services, Colebrook, NH
Coos/Carroll/Grafton Counties
Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire, Bedford, NH
Belknap/Cheshire/Hillsborough/Merrimack/Sullivan Counties
Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation, Portsmouth, NH
Rockingham/Strafford Counties
$3,500 Grant Recipients
Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation, Newry, ME
Tree Street Youth, Lewiston, ME
Androscoggin/Franklin/Oxford Counties
Katahdin Area Trails (OSI), Millinocket, ME
Piscataquis Regional Food Center, Dover‑Foxcroft, ME
Aroostook/Northern Penobscot/Piscataquis Counties
Ember's Paws of Hope, Steep Falls, ME
Olympia Snowe Women's Leadership Institute, Portland, ME
Cumberland County
Camp CaPella, Dedham, ME
The Grand Theater, Ellsworth, ME
Hancock/Washington Counties
Augusta Teen Center Boys & Girls Clubs, Augusta, ME
State YMCA Camp of Maine, Winthrop, ME
Kennebec/Somerset Counties
**AIO Food & Energy Assistance, Rockland, ME
New Hope Midcoast, Rockland, ME
Knox/Lincoln/Sagadahoc/Waldo Counties
Empty Arms of Greater Bangor, Bangor, ME
Penobscot Theatre Company, Bangor, ME
Southern Penobscot County
Caring Unlimited, Sanford, ME
Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center, Biddeford, ME
York County
Helping Hands North, Colebrook, NH
Two Rivers Relief for Cancer, Colebrook, NH
Coos/Carroll/Grafton Counties
Bridges: Domestic & Sexual Violence Support Services Inc., Nashua, NH
Thrive Survivor Support Center, Concord, NH
Belknap/Cheshire/Hillsborough/Merrimack/Sullivan Counties
The Chase Home, Portsmouth, NH
The Upper Room, Derry, NH
Rockingham/Strafford Counties
$2,500 Write-In Grant Recipients
Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, Lewiston, ME
Androscoggin/Franklin/Oxford Counties
Halfway Home Pet Rescue, Caribou, ME
Aroostook/Northern Penobscot/Piscataquis Counties
Maine State Music Theatre, Brunswick, ME
Cumberland County
Bagaduce River Equine Rescue, Brooksville, ME
Hancock/Washington Counties
Steve’s Heroes Foundation, Waterville, ME
Kennebec/Somerset Counties
**Safe Harbor Sanctuary, Brooks, ME
Knox/Lincoln/Sagadahoc/Waldo Counties
The Courageous Steps Project, Milford, ME
Southern Penobscot County
Saco Meals Program, Saco, ME
York County
Weathervane Theatre, Whitefield, NH
Coos/Carroll/Grafton Counties
Home Health & Hospice Care, Merrimack, NH
Belknap/Cheshire/Hillsborough/Merrimack/Sullivan Counties
New Hampshire SPCA, Stratham, NH
Rockingham/Strafford Counties
