About Us

MaineShare is a federation of 40+ forward-looking Maine nonprofit organizations who believe that an equitable and just Maine is worth working for – every day. MaineShare funds its member organizations through individual and workplace giving and raises public awareness about their work.

Since 1989, MaineShare has raised over $6,500,000 to provide flexible, unrestricted operating funds to MaineShare’s Member Groups. This critical and rare, unrestricted money makes organizations more responsive and nimble. It enables innovation, and provides fuel for growth, which is just what Maine needs right now.

OUR
MISSION

To provide support to organizations doing progressive, social justice and root cause work in Maine and to raise public awareness of their work.

OUR
HISTORY

In 1985, several Maine nonprofits began discussions to create a “social action fund.”

OUR HISTORY:

In 1985, several Maine nonprofits began discussions to create a “social action fund.” In late 1988, five groups formally agreed to establish MaineShare and one of them, Institute for Nonviolence, Education, Research and Training (INVERT), provided initial funding to hire a part-time staff person to coordinate this effort.

Officially incorporated in January 1989, the member-led process for recruiting additional organizations began. By March, nine nonprofits signed on as members. The first Board, comprised of member group representatives, received support and technical assistance from the National Committee for Responsible

Philanthropy. Community Works, a Boston fund, provided training and consultation, and MaineShare became a member of Community Shares USA.

Our original founding members

Center for Vision and Policy
INVERT (now Resources for Organizing & Social Change)*
Maine Association for Handicapped Persons
Maine Displaced Homemakers Program (now New Ventures Maine)*
Maine Foreign Affairs Education Fund
Maine Peace Fund*
Maine People’s Resource Center*
Maine Veterans for Peace*
We Who Care Charitable Federation

*Still members today.

OUR TEAM:

MaineShare Advisory Council

Chair: Sass Linneken, Resources for Organizing and Social Change
Vice Chair: Jodie Lapchick, Lapchick+Co.
At Large: Will Everitt, Friends of Casco Bay
At Large: Christina Foster, Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence
At Large: Kandyce Powell, Maine Hospice Council
At Large: Jane Field, Maine Council of Churches

MaineShare Staff

Program Director: Amanda Langley

OUR SUPPORTERS:

Our Workplaces

Since our first Workplace Campaign in 1999, over 150 workplaces have facilitated their employee giving to MaineShare – in many cases, matching what their employees contribute.

The workplaces listed below have had at least one campaign in the previous 5 years and are listed alphabetically within their category of total pledges between 2016 & 2020. Join us in thanking these generous business, nonprofit, municipality, and state government agency employees.