The Community Building Grant Program of the Maine Community Foundation has awarded grants to two nonprofit organizations in Lincoln County through the newly formed Fund for Lincoln County. This new permanent grant-making fund provides annual grant support to local nonprofits engaged in community-building projects.

Grants were awarded this year to the Damariscotta River Association to develop an island ecology curriculum, and to Coastal Kids Preschool in Damariscotta to achieve accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

In 2016, grants to Lincoln County will be distributed from this new county fund based on recommendations from a committee of advisors, including Chairman John Morris of Waldoboro; Bob Ives, Pemaquid; Marty Gleason, Boothbay Harbor; Cheryl Rust, Wiscasset; and Anna Marie Thron, Trevett.

“I am thrilled about this new fund for Lincoln County that will provide charitable support for community-building activities in our towns. Given MaineCF’s strong history helping worthwhile organizations in Maine communities, I am proud to help create this much-needed permanent fund for our region,” said Morris, the fund’s chairman.

The Maine Community Foundation’s Fund for Lincoln County was established in 2014 with $100,000 in seed money from the Doree Taylor Charitable Foundation. The Taylor Foundation also has challenged the community foundation with a $400,000 match to grow the fund to $1 million this year through contributions from individuals, businesses, and foundations. For more information about the fund or how to contribute, contact Laura Young, vice president of philanthropy, at 207-761-2440 or lyoung@mainecf.org.

The next deadline for submitting applications to the Fund for Lincoln County is Feb. 15, 2016. For more information about the program, contact Lelia De Andrade, director of grantmaking services, at 207-761-2440 or ldeandrade@mainecf.org.

A statewide organization with offices in Ellsworth and Portland, the Maine Community Foundation works with donors and other partners to improve the quality of life for all Maine people. For more information, visit www.mainecf.orgor call 1-877-700-6800.