Programs We Fund
In One Paragraph—What Your Gift Powers
Every dollar given to the Foundation is immediately directed to one of four high-impact priorities: helping students cross the finish line debt-free, expanding fast-track workforce training, modernizing classrooms and labs from Calais to York, and equipping those spaces with industry-grade technology. Results speak for themselves: more than 33,000 Mainers learned, trained, or up-skilled in the community-college system last year, and 92% of employed graduates stayed in Maine to strengthen local businesses.
1 | Student Success Initiatives
Scholarships
- Leon A. Gorman Endowed Scholarship is awarded to fifteen students annually. This scholarship supports Maine community college students who demonstrate strong academic achievement, financial need and commitment to community service – a hallmarks of the scholarship’s namesake.
- The Casco Bay Bluefin Bonanza Scholarship awards numerous scholarships to all seven colleges annually. This scholarship goes to full-time continuing students in the trades or marine science programs
Emergency Assistance through the Student Opportunity Support (SOS) Program
Board member and Foundation founder Elaine Rosen helped establish the SOS Fund to support students facing unexpected financial crises that could derail their academic careers. Recognizing that many community college students experience food insecurity, housing instability, and other barriers, the SOS fund provides timely assistance to help students stay enrolled and on track to graduation. 98% of the recipients of SOS support have stayed enrolled, graduated, or transferred to a four year school.
This past month I was struggling financially to keep up with life expenses while preparing for my final exams and end of the semester assignments. My stress levels were high, and I was nervous about how I was going to even pay my rent for the month of May.
“I applied for emergency assistance through your foundation and was granted a check that helped me pay my rent and keep the roof over my head as I finish my degree. I will forever be grateful for the kindness and generosity your donors have shown to the students of SMCC and myself. I was shocked by how fast I was approved and had a check in hand. I cried on my drive home that morning because I was so grateful.”
-SMCC Nursing Student
Setting Up Success in Secondary School
Donor dollars sustain programs like Math Pathways that help students advance their understanding of math outside the conventional Algebra-to-calculus pipeline. Focusing on applied mathematics in the real world helps prepare students to thrive in college with the math skills they need in context.
2 | Workforce Development & the Harold Alfond Center
Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce
A record $75.5 million gift will train 70,505 Mainers by 2030 through short-term certificates in healthcare, IT, manufacturing, and clean energy.
Standout Donations Help Mainers Help Themselves
- Cross Insurance has given $300,000 to students enrolled in United Technology Centers (UTC) students.
- The Maine State Credit Union has given more than $500,000 for students scholarships across the seven community colleges.
- Casco Bay Bluefin Bonanza offers scholarships to all seven colleges for students in the marine science and/or trades programs.
- The Leon A. Gorman Endowed Scholarship awards 15 scholarships annually to second year students.
- The Elsie and Williams Viles Foundation supports 24 KVCC students annually through the Viles Foundation Scholarship.
3 | Facilities & Access
Lab & Classroom Renovations
- A $100,000 grant provides SMCC’s Brunswick Nursing Simulation Lab with high-end Audio-Visual Equipment for the most realistic experience .
- A $100,000 project to renovate SMCC’s Student Center is underway, providing a great first impression and shared space for students.
- $175,500 funded English Language Learning Centers on the SMCC and CMCC campuses.
- WCCC receives laptops to support students who are incarcerated in pursuing workforce training and/or an associate’s degree.
4 | Technology & High-Demand Equipment
Program
Donor Impact
Advanced Manufacturing (YCCC)
10,000 square foot addition for a state-of-the-art welding lab at the college's Sanford facility.
Lineworker program (KVCC)
A new digger truck allows students to work with the most up to date equipment in the field.
Heat Pump Installer Training NMCC
NMCC receives funding to train individuals in heat pump installation. This goal is linked to Maine’s climate action plan that calls for the installation of 175,000 heat pumps by 2027.
Our Accountability & Outcomes
$147 million
raised since 2009.