Local nonprofits among recipients of 2026 Community Matters More grants

Sat, 06/13/2026 - 9:00am

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