OUR MISSION
Our Mission:
The Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges exists to support and expand the educational and workforce development mission of the Maine Community College System and its seven colleges. The Foundation’s fundraising activities are guided by the System’s two primary goals: to offer high-quality, low-cost education that enables students and their families to achieve a more prosperous future and to partner with Maine employers to find, train, and retain the skilled workers they need to compete and succeed in an ever-changing economy.
Maine thrives when its people thrive—and that begins with access to an affordable education. The Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges exists to secure private state and federal resources so our seven community colleges can open doors for every learner and help power Maine’s economy. Since our founding in 2009, donors have invested $147 million in scholarships, training, and technology that turn local talent into nurses, line workers, cybersecurity analysts, and entrepreneurs.
Our Guiding Statement:
Everything we do—from courting major gifts to managing scholarships—flows from that promise.
The Vision We Share
A Maine where opportunity is driven by potential, not circumstance. Where students gain the skills needed for prosperous futures, and employers find the talent required to thrive in a changing economy. Where lifelong learning stays affordable, with tuition at $96 per credit.
Access
41% of our students are first‑generation, the majority are from low to moderate income backgrounds, many face financial barriers to an education. The foundation exists to help provide student support funding through scholarships and programs.
Transparency
Annual audits and IRS filings are public; 100% of gifts go to students, programs, or facilities.
Excellence
Grant dollars help the MCCS gain more reliable access to cutting‑edge equipment, from advanced welding rigs to a digger truck for our line worker program.
Collaboration
We align funding with MCCS leadership and industry to target Maine’s fastest‑growing careers.
Four Pillars of Impact
Pillar
What It Means for Maine
Student Success
Scholarships, emergency grants, and mentoring help more Mainers finish credentials debt‑free.
Workforce Development
Short-term workforce trainings meet urgent needs in health care, IT, and clean energy—feeding the High‑Wage, In‑Demand Jobs list.
Facilities & Equipment
Donor‑funded upgrades bring state-of-the-art technology to rural campuses, cutting travel time and costs.
Sustainable Funding
Endowed scholarships will keep tuition affordable for generations.
Aligned With the MCCS Strategic Plan
Our fundraising targets advance the MCCS plan to:
- Recruit and retain more adult learners.
- Double capacity in high‑tech labs statewide.
Your Role in Our Mission
- Give today—online, by check, or via stock transfer.
- Create an endowed scholarship—your legacy, Maine’s future.
- Add FMCC to your will—shape opportunity for decades.