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 $6,000,000 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 Board of Directors

Chair: Tracy Harkins, Harkins Consulting, LLC
Vice Chair: William D. Sedlack, Maine Conservation Voters
Treasurer: Johanna Colpritt, Eaton Peabody
Secretary: Bailey Auspland, IDEXX
Robin Drummond, GLSEN
Amy Hillstrom, KMA HR Consulting
Jodie Lapchick, Lapchick+Co.
Ryan Martin, Viles Arboretum

MaineShare Staff

Interim Executive Director: Brenda Peluso, Nonprofit Consultant
Administrative Assistant: Aleina Hall
Bookkeeper: Keri Hatthorn, Community Shares USA

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.